Your guide to reproductive rights & family support in Australia
Here’s what we’ll cover
1. Paid Parental Leave: Now 24 Weeks + Super
2. The 3-Day Guarantee (Just Started!)
3. IVF & Fertility: What's new in your state
4. Safety & Support Resources
5. How to Stay Informed
6. Essential Resources Bookmark List
1. Paid Parental Leave: What you get now
The Changes (Effective July 2025)
If your baby is born or adopted from July 1, 2025, you now get:
24 weeks of Paid Parental Leave (up from 22 weeks in 2024; from July 1, 2026 increases to 26 weeks)
12% superannuation on top (~$4,000 boost to your retirement)
More flexible sharing - partners can take up to 20 days together
Paid at National Minimum Wage rate
The Paid Parental Leave Superannuation Contribution is HUGE! The ATO pays it directly to your super fund from July 2026 onwards. You don't need to claim it separately, it's automatic.
Why This Matters
More time to bond and recover
Better long-term financial security
Reduced career penalty for mothers
Encourages partner involvement
Check Your Eligibility
📞 Call Centrelink Families Line: 136 150
To check what you're entitled to:
Log into your myGov account to see your eligibility and submit a claim
Call Services Australia on 136 150 to discuss your specific situation
Visit the Services Australia website for detailed eligibility criteria based on your work history and income
2. The 3-Day Childcare Guarantee (started January 2026!)
What Just Changed
As of January 5, 2026, the activity test is GONE.
What you get now:
72 hours (3 days) of subsidised childcare per fortnight
No work, study, or volunteer requirements
Automatic for all eligible families
100 hours for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children
The Impact
100,000+ families now get more subsidised hours
Average savings: $1,370/year
Lower-income families save even more
Example: A family earning $90,000 with a child in care 3 days/week could save ~$11,400/year if they previously only qualified for partial subsidies.
What Hasn't Changed
Income eligibility still applies (families earning under $535,279)
You still pay a gap fee
You still need to find a spot at a childcare centre
Your subsidy percentage is still based on income
Check Your Subsidy
📍 Starting Blocks Calculator
📍 Services Australia
📞 Child Support enquiry line call: 131 272
Already getting CCS? Changes applied automatically—you don't need to do anything.
3. IVF & Fertility Treatment: State updates
Multiple states recently strengthened their IVF regulations and expanded access.
Western Australia (Effective mid-2027)
Expands access to same-sex couples, single people, transgender & intersex Australians
New surrogacy protections
Stronger regulatory framework
Queensland (Rolling out now)
Enhanced patient safety regulations
New Assisted Reproductive Technology Advisory Board
Better oversight and transparency
Australian Capital Territory (Active now)
Central donor registry with retrospective access
Donor-conceived people can access donor identity
Mandatory clinic licensing
Medicare Updates (from August 2024)
The fertility sector expanded its definition of "infertility." This means:
Same-sex couples requiring donor gametes may now be eligible for Medicare benefits
More people may qualify for subsidised IVF treatment
Your fertility specialist determines eligibility based on clinical need
Find Information
📍 VARTA (Victoria)
📍Your Fertility (Organisation)
📍Medicare Benefits Schedule
Always check your state's specific requirements and talk to your fertility specialist about what's available to you.
4. Safety & Support: Know your rights
Reproductive coercion awareness
Reproductive coercion is when someone controls your reproductive choices through force, manipulation, or threats. This can include:
Sabotaging birth control
Forcing or preventing pregnancy
Blocking access to healthcare
Controlling decisions about your body
This is domestic violence. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts.
Get Help Now
📞 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Website: 1800respect.org.au
📞 Women's Legal Service: Free legal advice by state
Website: womenslegal.org.au
📞 Pregnancy Birth & Baby: 1800 882 436 (7am-midnight)
Website: pregnancybirthbaby.org.au
You deserve autonomy over your body and future. Support is available.
5. How to Stay Informed
Policies evolve. New programs launch. Here's how to stay current:
Subscribe to Updates
Services Australia: Email updates when policies change
Your state health department: Newsletter signup
Fair Work: Policy change notifications
Follow Official Sources
Look for .gov.au domains:
Department of Health
Department of Social Services
Services Australia
Your state health department
Talk to Professionals
Your GP: Can explain Medicare benefits and health policy
Fertility specialist: Stays current on ART legislation
Childcare provider: Can explain subsidy changes
Set Reminders
Check Services Australia quarterly
Review childcare subsidy annually
Update Medicare details as needed
Check parental leave eligibility before trying to conceive (TCC)
6. Essential Resources Bookmark List
Parental Leave and Childcare
Services Australia: servicesaustralia.gov.au | 136 150
Fair Work Ombudsman: fairwork.gov.au | 13 13 94
Starting Blocks: startingblocks.gov.au
Fertility and IVF
VARTA: varta.org.au
Your Fertility: yourfertility.org.au
Access Australia: access.org.au (support network)
Safety and Support
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 | 1800respect.org.au
Women's Legal Service: womenslegal.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au
Health and Pregnancy
Pregnancy Birth & Baby: 1800 882 436 | pregnancybirthbaby.org.au
Health Direct: 1800 022 222 | healthdirect.gov.au
Whether you're just starting to think about trying to conceive, actively in fertility treatment, or navigating pregnancy and parenthood, you deserve:
Accurate information
Financial support
Healthcare access
Bodily autonomy
Community support
These resources exist to support you—not dictate your choices.
Your journey is unique. Your timeline is your own. Your decisions are yours to make.
And you don't have to figure it all out alone.
With love,
Fatima & Sara 💜
Founders of bébé bloom
Key Takeaways
Parental leave expanded to 24 weeks with super (July 2025+)
3-day childcare guarantee just started (January 2026)
IVF protections strengthened in multiple states
Medicare expanded fertility treatment eligibility
Support is available if you need it
Next Steps
Bookmark this page
Check your eligibility for benefits
Save key resource phone numbers
Talk to your healthcare provider
Share with your TTC community
References
All information sourced from:
Services Australia (2025)
Fair Work Ombudsman (2025)
Australian Government Department of Education (2026)
WA Health, QLD Health, ACT Health (2024-25)
Medicare Australia (2024)
1800RESPECT, VARTA, Pregnancy Birth and Baby
Disclaimer: This is general information only. Policies and eligibility can change. Always verify with official government sources and consult professionals for advice specific to your situation.
Last Updated: January 2026
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