Adelaide Mother Denied Paid Parental Leave Due to Residency Rule
An Adelaide woman's application for the federal government's Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme was rejected because she had not been a permanent resident for the required two-year waiting period. The applicant, Nandini Hutchens, who has lived and worked in Australia since 2018, has called for the rule to be applied on a case-by-case basis.
Application and Rejection
Nandini Hutchens applied for the government's Paid Parental Leave scheme following the birth of her daughter in October 2024. Her application was rejected on December 24, 2024.
The Department of Social Services cited the "Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period" as the reason for the rejection. This rule requires applicants to have been a permanent Australian resident for two years to be eligible for most government payments, including PPL. Hutchens was granted permanent residency in December 2024.
The PPL scheme provides 24 weeks of pay at the national minimum wage, which amounts to $22,750 before tax.
Background of the Applicant
Hutchens moved to Australia from India in 2018 to complete a master's degree in physiotherapy. She has worked full-time as a physiotherapist in South Australia since 2019. According to Hutchens, delays in skilled visa application examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the timing of her permanent residency grant.
Her husband, Corey Hutchens, is an Australian citizen and is eligible to apply for the PPL scheme. He stated he is unable to apply due to his work running a family business.
The couple recently purchased a house and stated they had anticipated using the government payment to help with mortgage payments while transitioning to a single income. Hutchens is eligible for six weeks of paid parental leave through her employer.
Statements and Positions
Nandini Hutchens stated that she believes the application of the rule in her case is unfair.
"The key here is newly-arrived, and I am not newly-arrived. I know I became a resident less than two years ago, but I have been doing my bit. I've been paying the same tax as my colleagues do."
She argued that having lived and worked in Australia for several years, she should not be considered "newly-arrived." Hutchens has started an online petition calling for the waiting period to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services stated:
"The Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period applies to most Australian Government payments, including the Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. This reflects the long-standing principle that migrants are expected to support themselves when they are first granted permanent residency in Australia."