Help Us Advocate For Change to Paid Parental Leave

Miracle Babies Foundation proposes changes to the Australian Government Paid Parental Leave (PPL) Legislation and Parental Leave Pay (PLP) Scheme for families who have a baby hospitalized for two weeks or more.

We propose that primary carers receive one week of extra paid parental leave for every week a baby is in hospital beyond two weeks, with a maximum of 14 weeks extra pay. For fathers and partners we recommend an additional two weeks of extra Dad and Partner Pay.

The release of the Federal Budget this week missed an opportunity to improve the lives of vulnerable families across Australia with a premature or sick baby.  

Miracle Babies Foundation continue to advocate for families to call on the Australian Government to provide additional Paid Parental Leave entitlements during the critical care period when a baby born premature or critically ill spends a significant time in hospital.   Australian Government employees are entitled to Paid premature birth leave, which is available from the date of birth to what would have been 37 weeks gestation.  We call on the Australian Government to make this available for all families across Australia. 

“This addition to the Paid Parental Leave scheme to better support families during their baby premature or sick baby’s hospital stay should be available for everyone.  It should not matter where you work – all families deserve a best start to life and to help achieve the Australian Government’s The Early Years Strategy, this would be a major step to better helping our most vulnerable babies and children in their early years.”  Kylie Pussell, CEO and CoFounder said. 

Help us advocate for improvements to the Australian Government Paid Parental Leave (PPL) Legislation for parents of premature and sick babies.

Support our Message

Simply complete the form below to support our message to the Australian Government and help us achieve a nationwide change to the Australian Paid Parental Leave (PPL) Legislation for parents of premature or sick babies.

Share your experience of Paid Parental Leave:

Contact your Federal MP

An example message to help up advocate for change is below.  Please feel welcome to add in your personal story or message to the Australian Government.

I write to you to show my support for Miracle Babies Foundation in their campaign and call to the Australian Government for additional paid parental leave for families with a premature or sick newborn in hospital over 2 weeks. 

These babies may spend anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months or more in NICU or SCN before they are able to safely come home, effectively resulting in parents financially impacted by needing to stop working earlier than planned. Missing out on income during the birth of a premature baby and less time available at home following discharge places tremendous financial strain on families, and many mothers at risk of leaving the workforce much earlier than anticipated to care for their premature or sick baby. 

An improved legislation to support these families with an additional special leave entitlement for the hospital period will help to reduce separation and also assist with more women returning to the workforce when they are ready. 

As noted in The Early Years strategy launched on 7 May 2024, ‘No child should be left behind’.  With the well evidenced risk factors for babies born early or sick and their parents, the circumstance of their birth is already placing them behind their peers and no additional paid parental leave for the hospital stay is leaving these vulnerable children and families behind.   

From our family to the Australian Government, please prioritise this call for Additional Paid Parental Leave and we can help improve Australia’s future generations to thrive.   

Click on the link below and enter your postcode to find the name and contact details of your MP:

Contact your Federal MP

How else can the community help? 

Your donation to Miracle Babies Foundation provides vital, life-changing support to a family with a premature or sick newborn. With thousands of families currently without access to this support, your donation makes a big difference.

Make a donation to reach more families with support