Activities that don’t count as work

Some activities won’t count as part of the work test for Parental Leave Pay for a child born or adopted before 1 July 2023.

Work doesn’t include any of the following:

  • unpaid work, including volunteer work
  • unpaid leave, including unpaid maternity leave
  • income support programs that include a work component
  • study, including study through a scholarship or other award of financial aid
  • paid out leave entitlements
  • state and territory COVID-19 payments
  • Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment paid by Services Australia
  • High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment paid by Services Australia.
Page last updated: 24 August 2023.
QC 64424