Parental Absence — Teaching Service

Leave preceding parental absence

Prior to the commencement of a period of parental absence, an employee may be entitled to other leave.

Prenatal leave

An employee who is pregnant may access paid prenatal leave to a maximum of 38 hours, to attend routine medical appointments associated with that pregnancy. Access to prenatal leave requires the provision of the following:

• a medical certificate certifying the employee is pregnant
• a medical certificate for each appointment
• scheduling of appointments at times that minimises disruption to the school and/or the requirement to engage replacement staff for the period of the absence.

An employee whose spouse is pregnant may access paid prenatal leave to a maximum of 15.2 hours for the period of the pregnancy to enable attendance at routine medical appointments associated with that pregnancy, provided that the employee:

• provides a medical certificate certifying their spouse is pregnant,
• provides a medical certificate for each appointment, and
• schedules appointments at times that minimise disruption to the school and, or the requirement to engage replacement staff for the period of the absence.

Pre-adoption leave

The provisions of the National Employment Standards specify that an employee is entitled to up to 2 days of unpaid pre-adoption leave to attend any interviews or examinations required for the adoption of a child. This leave may be taken as:

• a single continuous period of up to 2 days, or
• any separate periods which are agreed between the employee and the principal

Applications for leave must include satisfactory evidence regarding the necessity to attend any interviews and, or examinations.