AUFAIR WORK OMBUDSMANEmployment Templates

Official form guide

Form giving notice for taking unpaid parental leave template sts: Giving notice for taking unpaid parental leave template sts

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s “Giving notice for taking unpaid parental leave – template letter” is a printable form that employees use to tell their employer when they plan to start unpaid parental leave, or to change already‑notified dates. It covers continuous, flexible, or combined leave arrangements.

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Form Overview

Fair Work Ombudsman Form giving notice for taking unpaid parental leave template sts - Giving notice for taking unpaid parental leave template sts

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s “Giving notice for taking unpaid parental leave – template letter” is a printable form that employees use to tell their employer when they plan to start unpaid parental leave, or to change already‑notified dates. It covers continuous, flexible, or combined leave arrangements.

It captures your personal details, the type of unpaid leave (continuous or flexible), start and end dates, total length, and your signature. It also records your decision about Parental Leave Pay.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1Leaving any red placeholders or purple notes in the final letter can cause your notice to be rejected.
  • 2Failing to provide the 10‑week or 4‑week notice period
  • 3Submitting the template without deleting colour‑coded instructions
  • 4Not keeping a signed copy for your records
  • 5Providing dates that conflict with the 12‑month total leave limit

Plain English

Think of this as a simple letter you fill in and hand to your boss. You write your name, role, contact details, the dates you want off, and whether you’ll take the leave all at once or in bits. The form also asks if you’ll apply for government Parental Leave Pay.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: Give the notice at least 10 weeks before continuous leave starts and at least 4 weeks before any flexible leave period, unless your employer agrees to a shorter notice.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • You are starting continuous unpaid parental leave and need to give at least 10 weeks notice.
  • You need to change the start or end dates of unpaid parental leave that has not yet begun.
  • You are taking flexible unpaid parental leave, either alone or together with continuous leave.
  • You are taking unpaid pre‑adoption leave (2 days) and need to record the dates.
  • You want a written record for your employer and to keep a copy for yourself.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Applying for government Parental Leave Pay

Different scheme – involves government payments, not employer notice

✓ Verify eligibility on fairwork.gov.au/parentalleave before using this template

Paid Parental Leave (PP) application form

Employer requires a separate internal request form

May have extra fields or electronic submission requirements

✓ Check your workplace policy first

Employer‑specific parental leave request form

Changing already‑started leave

Once leave has started you must follow the employer’s change‑of‑leave process

✓ Confirm with manager before submitting

Not applicable – use this template only before leave begins

Deadline or filing window

Notice for continuous leave must be given at least 10 weeks before the start date; flexible leave requires at least 4 weeks notice for each period. If you can’t meet these windows, send the notice as soon as possible.

Before you submit

  1. 1Employee name, position and phone number are filled in.
  2. 2Correct start and end dates for continuous and/or flexible leave are entered.
  3. 3Notice period of at least 10 weeks (or as soon as possible) is met for continuous leave.
  4. 4If taking flexible leave, 4 weeks notice for the specific days is shown.
  5. 5Total leave does not exceed 12 months unless employer has agreed otherwise.
  6. 6Signature and date fields are completed by the employee.
  7. 7Manager/supervisor name, signature and date are provided on the acknowledgement line.
  8. 8All red placeholders are replaced and all purple text removed.
  9. 9The final document is printed in black text.
  10. 10A copy is retained for your records.

How to file this form

  1. 1Download or print the template from the Fair Work Ombudsman site.
  2. 2Fill in your personal details and leave dates, replacing the red <> text.
  3. 3Delete the purple explanatory notes and change all text to black.
  4. 4Sign and date the employee section.
  5. 5Give the completed letter to your manager or HR for their signature.
  6. 6Collect the manager’s signed acknowledgement.
  7. 7File the signed copy for yourself and keep a copy for future reference.

Known limitations

  1. 1The template only covers unpaid parental leave – it does not apply to Paid Parental Leave.
  2. 2Employers can request supporting evidence such as a medical certificate.
  3. 3Total continuous + flexible unpaid leave cannot exceed 12 months without employer agreement.
  4. 4Adoption‑related leave cannot start before the child’s placement day.
  5. 5The form is not a legal contract; it is a notice letter for record‑keeping.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

7 fields

Applicant

1 items

Applicant Name and Contact

Full name (and representative, if any), postal address, email, and phone number of the person or organisation lodging the application.

Requiredtext

Respondent

1 items

Respondent / Employer Details

The exact legal name and ABN of the employer or other party the application is made against.

Requiredtext

The Matter

2 items

Type of Application

Identify the kind of matter — for example, unfair dismissal, general protections, or an agreement application.

Requiredselect
Details of the Dispute

A clear description of what happened, relevant dates, and the outcome you are seeking.

Requiredtext

Dates

1 items

Key Dates

Relevant dates such as the date of dismissal or the date the issue arose — these determine whether you are within time.

Requireddate

Supporting

1 items

Attachments

Any documents that support your application, such as letters, contracts, or notices.

text

Declaration

1 items

Signature and Date

Sign and date the form. Applications may also require a fee or an application for a fee waiver.

Requiredsignature
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Current form status
FAIR_WORK_OMBUDSMAN

The template was last updated in July 2024 and remains the current version for notifying unpaid parental leave.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Confirm the form shows the July 2024 update date.
  • Replace all red‑bracketed placeholders with your own information.
  • Delete all purple explanatory text before signing.
  • Change the coloured text to black after editing.
  • Check the notice‑period boxes (10 weeks, 4 weeks, etc.) match your situation.

Quick Facts

Any employee who is eligible for unpaid parental leave – whether for a birth or an adoption – can use this template.
It captures your personal details, the type of unpaid leave (continuous or flexible), start and end dates, total length, and your signature. It also records your decision about Parental Leave Pay.
Give the notice at least 10 weeks before continuous leave starts and at least 4 weeks before any flexible leave period, unless your employer agrees to a shorter notice.
Print the completed letter and give it to your employer (e.g., hand‑deliver, email, or post). Keep a signed copy for your own records.
Submitting the correct notice on time protects your entitlement to up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave and avoids disputes or loss of leave.
1. Open the template and replace every red < > placeholder with your own information. 2. Delete the purple explanatory text and change all remaining text to black. 3. Sign and date the letter. 4. Deliver the final version to your manager or HR, and file a copy for yourself.

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Sources

  • SRCForm last updated: July 2024verified from page 1.
  • SRCNotice period for continuous unpaid parental leave: at least 10 weeksverified from page 2.
  • SRCIf 10 weeks notice can’t be given, provide notice as soon as possibleverified from page 2.
  • SRCEmployer may ask for evidence (e.g., medical certificate)verified from page 2.
  • SRCPre‑adoption leave entitlement: 2 days unpaidverified from page 2.
  • SRCTotal flexible + continuous leave cannot exceed 12 months unless employer agreesverified from page 3.
  • SRCFlexible leave notice: at least 10 weeks (or later if agreed) and 4 weeks for specific daysverified from page 3.
  • SRCEmployee and manager signature fields requiredverified from pages 2‑4.

Common confusion points

Mixing up continuous and flexible leave sections – each has its own notice requirements.

Leaving purple explanatory text in the final document.

Forgetting to change the coloured text to black before printing.

Not providing at least 10 weeks notice for continuous leave.

Assuming the form also covers paid parental leave.

Overlooking the 4‑week notice needed for specific flexible leave days.

Failing to get the manager’s acknowledgement signature.

Not keeping a personal copy after submission.

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Source transparency

Copyright & Licensing — Australian Government Forms

Independent guide

BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.

Crown Copyright (AU)© Commonwealth of Australia. Material may be downloaded, displayed, printed and reproduced in unaltered form for personal non-commercial use or internal organisational use. Not under an open licence.
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Crown Copyright (AU)© Commonwealth of Australia. Material may be downloaded, displayed, printed and reproduced in unaltered form for personal non-commercial use or internal organisational use. Not under an open licence.
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