Official form guide
Form sts request to extend unpaid parental leave beyond initial 1: Sts request to extend unpaid parental leave beyond initial 12 months template letter
A template letter for employees to request an extension of unpaid parental leave beyond the first 12 months, up to a maximum of 24 months from the child’s birth or placement.
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Form Overview
Fair Work Ombudsman Form sts request to extend unpaid parental leave beyond initial 1 - Sts request to extend unpaid parental leave beyond initial 12 months template letter
A template letter for employees to request an extension of unpaid parental leave beyond the first 12 months, up to a maximum of 24 months from the child’s birth or placement.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Submitting the request later than 4 weeks before your current leave ends can forfeit your extension right.
- 2Using the wrong template (e.g., for variations within the first 12 months).
- 3Sending the request after the 4‑week notice period.
- 4Failing to receive a written response within 21 days.
- 5Requesting a total leave period that exceeds 24 months.
Plain English
If you’ve already taken a year of unpaid parental leave and want more time off, you can use this letter to ask your boss for up to another 12 months. Fill in your dates, sign it, and give it to your employer before your current leave ends.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Send the request at least 4 weeks before the end of your current unpaid parental leave; the employer must reply in writing within 21 days.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- You have completed the first 12 months of unpaid parental leave and want up to another 12 months.
- Your total unpaid parental leave will not exceed 24 months from your child’s birth or placement.
- You must send the request at least 4 weeks before the end of the initial 12‑month period.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
You need a change within the first 12 months
Only covers variations before the 12‑month mark
✓ Verify your leave period is still within the first 12 months
Request to vary unpaid parental leave within initial 12 months template
You have taken less than 12 months of leave and want more time before the 12‑month point
Same as above – extension template not allowed
✓ Check your current leave length
Request to vary unpaid parental leave within initial 12 months template
Your initial 12‑month leave has ended and you have returned to work
Employer cannot grant an extension after return
✓ Confirm you have not resumed duties
No extension form – you are not eligible for further unpaid parental leave
Employer refuses your extension request
Formal dispute process, not a new template
✓ Ensure you have attempted workplace discussion first
Dispute resolution via Fair Work Commission
Deadline or filing window
Give your employer the request at least 4 weeks before the end of your initial 12‑month unpaid parental leave; the employer must respond within 21 days.
Before you submit
- 1Insert today's date at the top of the letter.
- 2Fill in your full name, contact details and job title.
- 3Enter your manager’s name correctly.
- 4Provide the original leave start and end dates.
- 5State the proposed new return‑to‑work date (must be ≤ 24 months from birth/placement).
- 6Calculate and list the additional period of leave you are requesting.
- 7Calculate the total period of leave and ensure it does not exceed 24 months.
- 8Delete all red placeholder brackets and replace with your details.
- 9Delete purple explanatory notes and change remaining text to black.
- 10Keep a copy of the completed letter for your records.
How to file this form
- 1Download the latest template from fairwork.gov.au/templates.
- 2Replace all red < > placeholders with your personal information.
- 3Remove purple explanatory text and change all remaining text to black.
- 4Print or save the letter as a PDF.
- 5Deliver the letter to your employer at least 4 weeks before your initial 12‑month leave ends.
- 6Ask your employer to confirm receipt in writing.
- 7Wait for a written response within 21 days.
Known limitations
- 1Cannot be used if you have taken less than 12 months of unpaid parental leave.
- 2Not valid if you have already returned to work after the first 12 months.
- 3Total unpaid leave (original + extension) must not exceed 24 months from birth or placement.
- 4Employer can only refuse on reasonable business grounds after genuine discussion.
- 5The template provides general information – it is not legal advice.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant
1 items
Full name (and representative, if any), postal address, email, and phone number of the person or organisation lodging the application.
Respondent
1 items
The exact legal name and ABN of the employer or other party the application is made against.
The Matter
2 items
Identify the kind of matter — for example, unfair dismissal, general protections, or an agreement application.
A clear description of what happened, relevant dates, and the outcome you are seeking.
Dates
1 items
Relevant dates such as the date of dismissal or the date the issue arose — these determine whether you are within time.
Supporting
1 items
Any documents that support your application, such as letters, contracts, or notices.
Declaration
1 items
Sign and date the form. Applications may also require a fee or an application for a fee waiver.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The template was last updated in July 2023. Use the latest version from fairwork.gov.au/templates.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the document shows a July 2023 update date.
- Verify colour‑coded placeholders (red <> text) are still present.
- Check that purple explanatory text is still marked as delete‑after‑use.
- Ensure the template still requires changing all text to black before sending.
- Confirm the URL references (fairwork.gov.au/templates) point to the current site.
Quick Facts
Sources
- SRCForm title matches source: "Request to extend unpaid parental leave beyond initial 12 monthstemplate letter".
- SRCEligibility criteria (must have completed 12 months, total ≤ 24 months) taken from page 1.
- SRC4‑week notice requirement extracted from page 1.
- SRCEmployer 21‑day written response requirement extracted from page 1.
- SRCReference to section 76 and 76A of the Fair Work Act taken from page 3.
- SRCContact details for Infoline (13 13 94) and dispute options from page 2.
- SRCColour‑coding instructions and placeholder guidance from page 2.
- SRCLast updated date (July 2023) from page 2.
Common confusion points
Using the extension template when still within the first 12 months – the wrong form.
Submitting the request after the initial 12‑month period has ended.
Failing to give the required 4‑week notice before the original leave ends.
Proposing a return date that exceeds the 24‑month total limit.
Leaving red placeholders or purple notes in the final letter.
Not requesting a written response within the statutory 21‑day period.
Assuming the template guarantees approval.
Source transparency
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