Types of leave
This content is intended to provide you with a variety of useful information in relation to having a child while working for the EPA/QPWS.
Maternity and Pre-natal Leave
If you have worked for 12 months or more continuously (qualifying service period) in any one or more Queensland Government departments or Queensland public service offices and the expected date of birth of your child(ren) has been confirmed in writing by a medical practitioner, you are entitled to access 12 weeks paid maternity / adoption leave or 24 week’s maternity leave on half pay.
You may also be entitled to a further period of unpaid maternity/adoption leave up to 52 weeks in total or, on application, an extension up to 104 weeks in total. (If at the time of your initial application you intend to access the entire 104 weeks leave, it is recommended that you apply for this leave up front).
You must commence maternity leave at least 6 weeks before the expected date of birth of your child and remain on maternity leave until at least 6 weeks after the birth of your child. These periods may be reduced if you have a medical certificate stating that you are fit for duty.
If you have not worked for 12 months or more continuously (qualifying service period) in any one or more Queensland Government departments or Queensland public service offices and the expected date of birth of your child has been confirmed in writing by a medical practitioner, you can have access to unpaid leave in conjunction with any recreational leave you are entitled to.
Spousal/Parental Leave
If you have worked for 12 months or more continuously (qualifying service period) in any one or more Queensland Government departments or Queensland public service offices and the expected date of birth for the child for whom you have accepted responsibility has been confirmed in writing by a medical practitioner you are entitled to access 1 week paid spousal leave in connection with the birth of the child. This entitlement also includes one paid day for pre-natal leave prior to the birth of the child(ren).
You may also be entitled to one week’s unpaid parental leave at the time of confinement of your spouse or, on application, an extension to this parental leave up to 8 weeks in total. A spouse who is to be the child(ren) primary caregiver is entitled to 52 week’s unpaid parental leave in total or, on application, an extension up to 104 weeks in total. (If at the time of initial application you intend to access the entire 8 weeks or 104 weeks leave, it is recommended that you apply for this leave up front).
Refer to “Policies” and “Leave Entitlements” under related links for further information.
Last updated: 12 February 2008
