Paid Parental Leave scheme Work Test 007-05020030
Examples of the application of the work test for PPL
Table 1
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Example |
Description |
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1 |
Permissible break Michelle gave birth on 13 January 2025. The claim for PPL indicates Michelle has not worked for at least 8 hours every week in the work test period (between 18 December 2023 and 13 January 2025). However, Michelle:
Michelle had worked in excess of 330 hours in a combined 10 month period since 18 December 2023. Michelle has satisfied the PPL work test. |
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2 |
Non-permissible break - unpaid leave Maria has been employed as a casual school teacher for the last 3 years and is expecting to give birth on 10 September 2024. Maria's work test period is 15 August 2023 to 10 September 2024. On average, Maria works 25 hours per week. Maria was on unpaid leave from 2 May 2024 until starting a new contract on 7 August 2024 (98 days). Maria has had a break in employment of more than 84 days (12 weeks) within the PPL qualifying period (295 days -approx. 10 months) and it is not a permissible break. Maria does not meet the work test and is not eligible for PPL. Maria may be entitled to Newborn Supplement (NBS) and Newborn Upfront Payment (NBU) with Family Tax Benefit (FTB). |
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3 |
Including previous periods of PPL in the customer's work test/qualifying period Kim and Brad had their first child, Kate, on 14 July 2024. PPL was paid for Kate each weekday from 14 July 2024 through to 16 November 2024. Kim returned to work on 11 January 2025. In March 2025, Kim and Brad find out they are expecting their second child, with a due date of 22 October 2025. Kim lodges a pre-birth claim for PPL on 10 October 2025. Kim's PPL work test period for Kim's second child is 26 September 2024 to 21 October 2025 (13 months or 392 days). In the pre-birth claim, Kim advised of stopping work on 22 August 2025. Kim did not perform 8 hours of qualifying work every week during the PPL work test period. Evidence was requested and payslips were provided by Kim. The payslips confirm Kim completed on average, 6 hours per week paid work from 11 January 2025 to 22 August 2025. As Kim's previous PPL falls within the current PPL work test, some of these days can be included when determining if Kim meets the current PPL Work Test. The Service Officer determines Kim's 10 month (295 days) qualifying period to be 26 September 2024 to 17 July 2025. By using this period, the Service Officer can include Kim's previous PPL days paid from 26 September 2024 - 16 November 2024, (277.5 hours). These hours, added with Kim's paid work within the qualifying period, exceeds the 330 hours work required to meet the PPL work test for the expected child. |
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4 |
Pregnancy-related complications Jo had a history of miscarriages during the first trimester of pregnancy. When Jo became pregnant again, the doctor advised taking a period of leave from employment. Jo followed the doctor's advice and took leave without pay from the full-time job of 6 years to minimise the possibility of another miscarriage. After 99 days of leave without pay, Jo returned to work full-time. Despite working in excess of 330 hours of qualifying work, Jo had a break of greater than 84 consecutive days (equivalent to 12 weeks) between 2 qualifying work days. As a result, Jo had a non-permissible break and did not satisfy the normal work test. However, a medical certificate was provided, confirming Jo was unfit for work due to complications with the pregnancy. Jo's employer also advised that Jo would have worked during the period. As a result, Jo has met the work test when the evidence of the complications with the pregnancy were considered. |
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5 |
Pregnancy-related complications During pregnancy Jean developed severe vomiting and nausea that prevented Jean from working as a casual teacher. Jean's doctor advised Jean to take a period of leave from employment. Due to being unwell, Jean followed the doctor's advice and took leave without pay from Jean's casual job of 3 years. As Jean's condition did not improve, Jean did not return to work and therefore had only performed 85 days of qualifying work during the work test period. Jean had a break of greater than 84 consecutive days (equivalent to 12 weeks) between 2 qualifying work days. As a result, Jean had a non-permissible break and did not satisfy the normal work test. Jean was asked to and provided a letter from Jean's medical practitioner that confirmed Jean was unfit for work due to excessive vomiting and dehydration as a result of the pregnancy. Jean was also asked to provide evidence from the employer to confirm Jean would have worked during the work test period had it not been for the pregnancy related illness. Jean contacted the agency to advise that the employer has refused to provide the evidence. As a result, Jean's application was rejected, as the agency could not be satisfied that Jean would have worked the required time had it not been for the pregnancy related illness. Note: customers will generally be asked to provide this evidence as part of their claim. If they cannot provide sufficient detail within the claim, Service Officers can contact the employer at the request of the customer. Information can be obtained verbally if customers cannot get evidence in writing. |
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6 |
Insufficient medical evidence Penny was expecting a baby on 15 May. During the PPL work test period Penny was working full time in a job that required Penny to stand for long periods of time and involved some heavy lifting. Due to standing for long periods of time, Penny experienced back, leg and hand pain, which seemed to get worse as the pregnancy progressed. As a result, Penny decided to start maternity leave earlier than expected. Penny stopped work on 11 January. As Penny had a non-permissible break of more than 84 consecutive days (equivalent to 12 weeks) between 2 qualifying workdays, the normal work test was not satisfied, and Penny's PPL claim was rejected. Penny then provided medical evidence from a doctor which listed the reasons why Penny finished work earlier than expected. However, the medical evidence did not state that the complication/illness was exacerbated by pregnancy, and prevented Penny from working. A letter from Penny's employer was also provided saying that Penny would have worked for the period had it not been for the complication/illness. As the medical evidence did not state that Penny was unfit for work due to the complication/illness being exacerbated by the pregnancy, the agency could not be satisfied Penny met section 36A. If Penny was to provide additional medical evidence that confirms the complication/illness was exacerbated by the pregnancy, which prevented Penny working, the agency could reassess Penny's claim. |
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7 |
Paid leave On 18 September 2024, Danielle gave birth and started paid maternity leave, long service leave and recreational leave from work. Danielle returned to work full time on 9 April 2025. Danielle is expecting to give birth to another child on 20 October 2025. Danielle's work test period for the expected child is 23 September 2024 to 19 October 2025 (392 days from the expected date of birth). The time Danielle was absent from work while on paid leave during the work test period counts towards the work test. Danielle should include having worked 8 hours every week for this period of paid leave when completing the claim for the newborn child. |
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8 |
Permissible break within the work test period Louise is expecting to give birth on 13 January 2026. Louise's 392 day work test period starts on 18 December 2024. Louise did not work on this day. Louise worked for one day on 1 November 2024 and then worked continuously from 31 December 2024 to 13 October 2025. To satisfy the work test, Louise needs to establish a qualifying period of 295 consecutive days between:
As Louise performed qualifying work on 1 November 2024 and on 31 December 2024 and, as the period between these dates was less than 84 days, Louise can be considered to have been on a permissible break between the start of the work test period on 18 December 2024, and the day qualifying work was performed on 31 December 2024. As a permissible break counts towards the work test, Louise is considered to have worked 300 days between 18 December 202 and 13 October 2025. Therefore, if the requirement for 330 hours of qualifying work is met, and there are no gaps of more than 84 days between any consecutive working days, Louise would meet the work test. Louise's period of qualifying work performed during the work test period is at least 295 consecutive days.
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9 |
A non-permissible break - still meets PPL work test Peta is expecting to give birth on 1 February 2025. Peta's 392 day work test period starts on 6 January 2024. Peta stopped employment on 2 December 2023, and started work with another employer on 6 March 2024, a break of more than 84 days. Peta then works every week from 6 March until 31 December 2024, a period of 300 consecutive days. The break between working days that occurred early in the work test period is not a permissible break as it was a break of more than 84 days. The break does not affect Peta's eligibility for PPL because there was still a qualifying period of at least 295 consecutive days in the work test period where Peta performed qualifying work or had a permissible break. The exception to this rule is if a PPL customer stops employment early or reduces their hours of employment due to:
The customer must then provide evidence to support their PPL claim that the work test would have been met had the complications or premature birth had not occurred. Note: in the instance of pregnancy-related complications or illness, the customer must provide evidence from their doctor or hospital to:
Verification (verbal is acceptable) from their employer they were intending to work during this period is also required. Verbal employer verification must be documented on the customer's record. |
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10 |
A non-permissible break - still meets PPL work test Olivia is expecting to give birth on 20 May 2025. Olivia's 392 day work test period starts on 23 April 2024 (13 months before the baby's expected date of birth). Olivia stopped employment on 27 April 2024, and started work with another employer on 22 July 2024, a break of more than 84 days. Olivia then works every week from 22 July 2024 until 17 May 2025, a period of 300 consecutive days. The break between working days that occurred early in the work test period is not a permissible break as it was a break of more than 84 days. The break does not affect Olivia's eligibility for PPL because there is still a qualifying period of at least 295 consecutive days in the work test period where Olivia performed qualifying work or had a permissible break. The exception to this rule is:
The customer must then provide evidence to support their PPL claim that the work test would have been met had the complications or premature birth not occurred. Note: in the instance of pregnancy-related complications or illness, the customer must provide evidence from their doctor or hospital to:
Verification (verbal is acceptable) from their employer they were intending to work during this period is also required. Verbal employer verification must be documented on the customer's record. |
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11 |
Dangerous Job provision Vicki is a self-employed professional boxer. After learning of the pregnancy, Vicki was required to stop working immediately due to the hazards the job presented to the pregnancy, and in accordance with the industry's regulations. Vicki's last day at work was 5 December 2023. The expected date of birth of Vicki's baby is 5 July 2024. On 20 May 2024, Vicki lodged a pre-birth claim for PPL. The initial work test period for the claim is from 9 June 2023 to 5 July 2024. Vicki will not meet the work test, as there is more than a 12 week continuous gap between 2 work days in the work test period. Vicki indicated in the claim that Vicki was required to stop working in a dangerous job. The work test period was moved to an earlier period. Vicki's new work test period is 8 November 2022 (392 days before the date Vicki stopped work) to 4 December 2023. Vicki provided:
As Vicki has provided the required evidence to support having to stop work due to the risk to the pregnancy of Vicki's profession, Vicki was deemed to meet the dangerous job provision. Vicki advised of completing 8 hours work every week in the new work test period and subsequently was assessed as meeting the PPL work test. |
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12 |
Dangerous Job provision Mandy was employed as an underground miner. On 5 May 2024, Mandy advised the employer Mandy was 9 weeks pregnant. Under their employee's workplace agreement, Mandy had to stop work immediately. Mandy's last day of work was 5 May 2024. Mandy started a new casual job in a local supermarket with a new employer on 25 August 2024. Mandy's last day of work with this employer was 6 November 2024. Mandy had lodged a pre-birth claim for PPL and advised the baby's expected date of birth is 8 December 2024, and the work test period is 12 November 2023 to 8 December 2024. Mandy does not meet the work test as there was more than a consecutive 12 week gap between 2 work days in the work test period (5 May 2024 to 25 August 2024 - a total of 112 day continuous gap). Although Mandy started work with a new employer, Mandy can still meet the PPL work test under the dangerous job provision for this pregnancy. Mandy will need to provide evidence from the employer that Mandy stopped work due to the hazards that presented a risk to the pregnancy and a doctor supports these claims. Mandy provided:
Mandy met the Dangerous Job provision and the work test period was moved to the 13 month period before the date Mandy stopped work as a miner, 9 April 2023 to 5 May 2024. Mandy still needs to meet the work test in the new work test period. |
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13 |
Dangerous Job provision Taylah started working on 20 January 2023 as a housekeeper at a mine in Perth WA. On 5 August 2023, Taylah advised the employer that Taylah was pregnant. Taylah stopped working on 29 August 2023. Taylah lodged a pre-birth claim for PPL and advised the expected date of birth was 20 January 2024. Taylah provided proof confirming employment as a housekeeper and that Taylah stopped employment on the 29 August. Taylah's employer stated in letter that because of high temperatures it was no longer appropriate or safe to continue working. Taylah does not meet the Dangerous Job provision. Taylah did not provide sufficient proof that the work hazards (high temperatures) posed a risk to the pregnancy. A statement from Taylah's employer (who is not a medical professional) was not sufficient evidence of risk. The evidence Taylah provided does not support the claim for a Dangerous Job provision. |
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14 |
Working for a Family Business and not being paid Casey works 2 days per week for Casey's partner's plumbing business. Casey does the administrative and ordering, but does not receive a salary or any financial benefits from this work. Casey has lodged a PPL claim and as has not declared any income for ISP payment. Casey is asked to provide evidence that the work test is met. Casey has worked at least 8 hours each week and although Casey does not receive any income for the work performed for the business, it means that they do not have to pay someone to do the work. Casey does not meet the work test. If a person is doing work for a family business and the benefit is not having to employ someone else, this is a benefit for the business, not for the person performing the work. In order to count as qualifying work the person must show that they are receiving a tangible benefit that is in kind for the work being performed and would not otherwise be received. |
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15 |
Self employed and gainful activity Candace owns and runs a boutique brow and beauty salon, ‘Evoque Brows’, and operates from a room that adjoins a garage at home. Candace started the business in January 2024 and has been working up to 5 hours a day 5 days a week, Tuesday through to Saturday. Candace has lodged a pre-birth claim for PPL with an expected date of birth (EDOB) 1 November 2025. Candace’s 392 day work test period starts on 6 October 2024. In the claim Candace has indicated:
As Candace’s income was nil, the Service Officer asked Candace to provide evidence of that income before submitting the claim. Candace uploaded a profit and loss statement for the period 1 July to 30 September 2025 of $0. Although Candace’s nett income was nil, the profit and loss statement showed Candace performing gainful activity in the business. This evidence supported Candace’s claim of meeting work test. Note: if suitable evidence wasn’t provided, it would be appropriate to request additional evidence to confirm the PPL Work Test was met. See:
See also the Process page > Table 1 > Step 2. |
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16 |
When to request evidence a customer meets the PPL Work test Laura has indicated in the PPL claim that the work test has been met. Laura's record indicates an ISP was received during the qualifying period and there is insufficient income recorded. It would be appropriate to request evidence to confirm Laura met the PPL Work Test. Other instances where it would be appropriate to request evidence the customer meets the PPL work test:
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17 |
Voluntary work Sam is employed by the Australian Defence Force as an Instructor of Cadets. Even though Sam is paid an allowance for the work, Sam's employer deems Sam's work as voluntary work. Because Sam's work is in the nature of volunteering, it does not constitute paid work even if financially rewarded. Although Sam has invested time and energy into the role as an Instructor of Cadets and has been paid an allowance, the activity cannot be counted towards the work test. |
The 392 day (13 month) work test period
Table 2
Qualifying period
This is a period of 295 days (approximately 10 months) within the 13 month work test period. To meet the work test, the customer must have qualifying work of at least 330 hours and have had no more than a 12 week permissible break between days worked during the qualifying period.
It cannot include any days classified as a non-permissible break.
The 295 day (10 month) qualifying period
Table 3
Qualifying periods examples - No work test exceptions
Table 4
Qualifying work - Examples of non-cash benefit
Table 5
Method used to test for Pregnancy related complications/illnesses s36A
Table 6
Natural disaster
If the customer has indicated they have an exception to the work test due to a natural disaster, staff must check if the disaster has been listed on the Disaster Assist website. Go to Disaster Assist > Find a disaster > Australian disasters.
Do not include disaster types of influenza, other or terrorist act.
If the disaster is:
- listed, it has been declared by the Commonwealth, a State or Territory. It does not matter:
- if the disaster qualifies for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment, or Disaster Recovery Allowance, or
- what the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements are
- not listed, however the Service Officer believes it is a declared natural disaster, refer the case to Level 2 Policy Helpdesk for confirmation