FSU calls for universal PPL

The Finance Sector Union (FSU) has called for universal paid parental leave (PPL) as the standard across all workplaces, in a new report.

The FSU's analysis of PPL uptake found men are now taking PPL at similar or higher rates than women in some parts of the finance sector, thanks to improvements in union negotiated enterprise agreements.

FSU said universal PPL gives both parents equal access to parental leave regardless of their caring role, and offers full wage replacement and other supports when one parent is off work.

The report documented the evolution of PPL in the Australian finance sector and examined how various employers have increased male participation in parental leave by developing a workplace culture that actively encourages fathers to take more time off work to look after their children.

For example, CBUS Super began its universal PPL policy in 2021 and men now make up the majority of workers taking parental leave, despite the workforce being broadly gender balanced.

Similarly, in 2022 before NAB introduced its universal PPL scheme, men made up just 6% of its primary parental leave users. By 2025, that figured had soared to 49%.

The research found the increasing number of fathers taking parental leave leads to more equal workplaces and reduces gender discrimination.

The FSU said the government's own gender equality strategy identifies that a more balanced use of PPL is an important measure of progress towards gender equality.

"Paid parental leave should belong to the parent, not the gender. We are seeing progress when it comes to challenging the stereotypical family dynamic where men are expected to undertake paid work while women are expected to perform unpaid domestic and caring work, but there is still a long way to go," FSU national secretary Julia Angrisano said.

"Today, a quiet revolution is taking place in Australian workplaces when it comes to paid parental leave - and the finance sector is leading the way."

Angrisano said societal expectations, workplace culture and financial pressures remain the biggest barriers to men taking more time off work after becoming fathers, but said when those barriers are addressed and dads are given genuine choice, men are choosing to spend more time raising their children.

"Universal paid parental leave is just one of many ways we can give families genuine choice and better options, and it's great to see parts of the finance sector leading by example," she said.

"The Finance Sector Union is calling on all employers to commit to a simple principle: both parents get the same paid leave, at the same rate, with no "primary carer" hoops to jump through."

The FSU is calling on employers to commit the principle that both parents get the same paid leave, at the same rate, with no "primary carer" hoops to jump through.