A petition is calling on the Australian Government to change paid parental leave laws, arguing current rules unfairly exclude skilled migrants who have lived and worked in the country for years.
The Change.org campaign urges the Anthony Albanese government to recognise time spent contributing to Australia before migrants obtain permanent residency, particularly in essential sectors such as healthcare.
At the centre of the petition is the case of an allied health worker who has lived in Australia since 2018 and worked as a physiotherapist since 2019, including in regional areas with workforce shortages.
The worker was on an employer-sponsored visa before gaining permanent residency in late 2024 but has been denied Paid Parental Leave (PPL) under the current two-year residency requirement.
The petitioner said the decision has created financial pressure at a time when their household is relying on a single income while caring for a newborn. They also pointed to earlier periods, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, when visa holders were excluded from government financial support despite continuing to work.
The petition argues that the current system does not reflect the contributions of long-term migrants, particularly those employed in critical industries, and creates what it describes as a policy gap.
Under existing rules, eligibility for PPL is tied to residency requirements, which do not account for time spent living and working in Australia on temporary visas. Critics say this can leave families without support during a significant life event, even after years of paying taxes and contributing to the economy.
The campaign is calling for legislative changes to allow pre-residency work and residency periods to be considered, as well as greater flexibility through case-by-case assessments for long-term contributors.
Australia has increasingly relied on skilled migration to address workforce shortages, particularly in regional and healthcare sectors. The petition argues that aligning social support policies with this reliance would ensure more equitable treatment of migrant families.
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