The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

5.1.1 Making employer determinations for PLP

Introduction

Centrelink is required to make an employer determination (1.1.E.60) (that the person's employer is required to pay instalments) if Centrelink is satisfied of all of the following matters:

  • A payability determination that PLP is payable to the person or an initial eligibility determination for the person is in force in relation to the child.
  • Instalments are likely, if the determination is made, to be payable by the employer to the person for at least 40 consecutive days that are week days (that is, the person is expected to receive at least 8 weeks of PLP from the employer).
  • The person has, or will have been, employed by the employer (or by the Commonwealth) for at least 12 months immediately before
    • the expected DOB (or placement) of the person's child where the person claims before the birth, or
    • the later of the expected DOB (or placement) and the day the child was born where the person claims after the birth.
  • The person has a continuous flexible period (1.1.C.145) for the child and is likely to be an Australian-based employee (1.1.A.90) of the employer during that period.
  • There are no other flexible PPL days prior to the person’s continuous flexible period that the person is either payable for or has been found initially eligible for in relation to the child.
  • The employer has an ABN.

Exception: The requirement for an employer ABN does not apply to employers of law enforcement officers and defence force members.

A person has a continuous flexible period for the child if they are payable or initially eligible for at least 40 consecutive flexible PPL days that are weekdays before the day before the child’s first birthday or placement for adoption.

If the person has more than one employer who satisfies the required criteria, then the person must nominate in their claim the employer they would like to pay their instalments.

Exception: Where the person's employer has elected to pay the person their instalments, and the person has consented in the claim to the employer paying their instalments, the requirement that the person has or will have been employed by the employer (or by the Commonwealth) for at least 12 months prior to the expected or actual DOB (or placement) does not have to be met.

Centrelink cannot make an employer determination unless Centrelink is satisfied of the matters referred to above and the employer determination is made on or before the day the payability determination is made.

Exception: If the payability determination is made following a review, the employer determination can be made after the day of the payability determination.

Centrelink may decide not to make an employer determination where:

  • the person's continuous flexible period for the child has ended
  • the person is a special PPL claimant
  • the child in respect of whom PLP is payable is stillborn or has died
  • another PPL claimant or special PPL claimant owes a debt in relation to an instalment paid in relation to the same child, or
  • the employer is not a fit and proper person.

Matters that Centrelink may take into account in determining whether an employer is a fit and proper person include:

  • whether the employer is insolvent
  • whether the employer has, or is alleged to have, contravened a civil penalty provision of the PPLAct
  • whether a matter relating to a contravention of the PPLAct by the employer has been referred to the FWO
  • whether the employer has, or is alleged to have, contravened a provision of an industrial law
  • whether the employer has been convicted of certain criminal offences involving fraud or dishonesty, misapplication of money, management of affairs of a body (whether or not incorporated), and
  • any other matter Centrelink considers relevant.

In deciding whether to make an employer determination, Centrelink may assume that the state of affairs known at that time will remain unchanged.

Note: Centrelink must not make an employer determination for PLP for a person receiving an income support payment. Centrelink must administer instalments of PLP for these claimants.

Act reference: PPLAct section 101 Making employer determinations, section 106 Effect of decision on review that PLP is payable, section 109 Election by employer to pay instalments

PPL Rules Part 11 Extension of Act to persons who are not employees and employers

Policy reference: PPL Guide 5.1.6 Making an employer determination after review of decision that PLP is payable

Last reviewed: