Dad and Partner Pay (DAPP)

Government provides Dads and Partners with 2 weeks’ paid leave

Fathers of new babies can apply to receive payment of two weeks’ leave following the passing of legislation in federal parliament back in 2012.

The Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 includes a payment called ‘Dad and Partner Pay’ (‘DAPP’). DAPP is a payment for eligible working fathers or partners, including adopting parents and parents in same sex couples.

DAPP provides financial support to fathers or partners of new babies to stay at home for two weeks with a baby born or adopted after 2013. The leave can be taken anytime in the first year after the birth or adoption of the child.

How much DAPP will I receive?

The DAPP is government-funded and will consist of 2 week’s pay paid at the National Minimum Wage ($656.90 per week gross, $1,313.80 in total – August, 2015). Unlike the government-funded paid parental leave payment, DAPP will be paid directly to those eligible by the Department of Human Services and not via employers.

The DAPP is lower than my current weekly income… will I be entitled to receive more?

Not unless your contract of employment provides for you to receive more… in which case you will receive the DAPP from the Government and the balance of your contractual entitlement from your employer.

When can I take the DAPP leave?

A dad or partner may take the leave at the same time as the mother is taking paid parental leave. However, the leave cannot be taken at the same time the employee is taking other paid leave. A family will also be able to receive DAPP either on its own or in addition to other family payments such as the Baby Bonus and Family Tax Benefit.

Who is DAPP available to?

The payment will be available to full-time, part-time, casual, seasonal, contract and self-employed workers who have worked at least 330 hours in 10 of the 13 months before the birth of their baby and who earned $150,000 or less in the previous financial year. To qualify for the leave you must also be an Australian resident.

Will DAPP affect my leave entitlements at work?

No. Taking 2 weeks’ of DAPP leave does not affect your leave entitlements (parental leave, personal leave or annual leave) in any way.

How do I get DAPP?

You need to apply for DAPP online, via Centrelink, using your my.gov.au account – my.gov.au

If you can’t apply for DAPP online, you can apply in person using a written form. You can download this form here (August, 2015).

You can apply for DAPP up to 3 months before the birth of the baby or 12 months after the birth (or adoption).

Please Note: Before you apply for DAPP, we recommend that you talk about and agree on your leave arrangements with your employer.