Parental Leave Notice to Your Employer
Having or adopting a baby and taking unpaid parental leave? A clear written notice to your employer with your leave dates, or the letter confirming them closer to the time, set out the way the Fair Work Act asks.
What this document does
- Gives your employer written notice of your unpaid parental leave, with your start and end dates or your flexible days.
- Or confirms or changes your dates closer to the time.
- Where the Fair Work Act applies to you, says the notice is given under section 74 and that you will confirm your dates at least 4 weeks before the leave.
- Offers evidence of the expected date of birth or placement if your employer needs it.
- Warm and businesslike: no threats and no legal jargon. A friendly or formal tone, your choice.
- You read it first, then we email it for you or you download it and send it yourself.
What we'll ask you
Plain-English questions, one at a time. No legal knowledge needed — if you don't know an answer exactly, your best estimate is fine.
- Which letter do you need?
- How long will you have worked for this employer by the time your leave starts (or by the birth or adoption)?
- Which of these fits?
- The expected date of birth or placement (or the date, if the child has already arrived).
- Who is the letter to? Your manager or HR contact, and their role.
- What is the employer's business name?
- Your job title, and your team if you like.
- How will you take the leave?
- Your leave dates: the start and end dates of the continuous leave, and the total number of flexible days if you are taking any. For a confirming letter, give the dates you are confirming, or the new dates.
- For a confirming letter: when did you give your first notice, and have the dates changed? Skip this for a first notice.optional
- How should the letter sound?
- You approve it before it is sent
- 2 free amendments included
- All Australian states and territories
- Stripe secured · 256-bit encrypted
From your answers to a finished Parental Leave Notice in three steps
Answer 11 quick questions
Who it’s about, what happened and what you want. Plain English, one question at a time.
We write it, calmly and clearly
Your Parental Leave Notice to Your Employer is written from your answers in plain English, in the tone you choose, then formatted as a clean one-page PDF. Usually ready within about five minutes.
Review, approve, sent
The draft lands in your dashboard for you to check. Nothing goes to the other party until you approve it — then we email it on your behalf and record the delivery, or you download it and send it yourself. Two free amendments included.
Ready? Start now.
No card required until the end. No account needed to start.
Start My Notice — $29 →$29 flat fee · You approve it before it is sent · 2 edits included
Everything about the Parental Leave Notice to Your Employer
How much does the Parental Leave Notice cost?
A flat $29 AUD, including GST. There is no card required to start, no subscription and no hourly rate. You see a summary of your answers before you pay.
How long does it take?
There are 11 questions, which take a few minutes to answer. The letter is usually ready in about 5 minutes after payment, any time of day.
Is it sent automatically, or do I see it first?
You see it first. The letter lands in your dashboard, and nothing is sent until you approve it. Then we email it for you, or you download it and send it yourself.
What if I need changes?
You read the full letter on your dashboard first. You can change the wording yourself or ask for a redraft, with 2 edits included.
When do I need to tell my employer?
The Fair Work Ombudsman says to give your employer written notice at least 10 weeks before your unpaid parental leave starts, or as soon as possible if you can't. Then, at least 4 weeks before continuous leave starts, you confirm your start and end dates or tell them about any changes. This service writes either letter.
Who can take unpaid parental leave?
The Fair Work Ombudsman says employees are eligible after at least 12 months with their employer. Casual employees also need to have worked regularly and systematically for at least 12 months, with a reasonable expectation of continuing. If that doesn't apply to you yet, the letter asks for the leave as a request.
Is this the same as Parental Leave Pay?
No. Parental Leave Pay is a government payment managed by Services Australia, and you claim it with them. This letter is your notice to your employer about taking unpaid parental leave.
Does it work in my state?
Yes. The Fair Work Act is a national law, so the letter works anywhere in Australia for employees in the national workplace relations system. It is dated in your own time zone.
Other everyday letters
Put it in writing today.
A few quick questions and your Parental Leave Notice to Your Employer is ready in minutes. No card required until the end.
Start My Notice — $29 →