Are all fathers entitled to paternity leave?
No. You must have had at least 12 months* continuous service with your present employer immediately preceding the date when you commence short or extended paternity leave. Do I have to be married to be entitled to paternity leave? No – the term “spouse” includes de facto partners. How do I apply for paternity leave? At least 10 weeks before you propose to take paternity leave, you must notify your employer of the dates of each period of leave you wish to take and provide a medical certificate stating the name of your partner and the expected birth date of your child or the date which your child was born. (See sample letter at the end of this section.) If you are applying for an unbroken period of up to 51 weeks leave you must provide a Statutory Declaration stating the length of paternity leave you propose to take and the period of maternity leave your partner intends to take. (See sample at the end of this section.) You must also state that you are seeking paternity leave to become th
