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.

1.3 General administration

Introduction

The Secretary (1.1.S.40) is responsible for the general administration of the PPLAct, subject to any relevant direction by the Minister.

The Commissioner of Taxation (1.1.C.125) is responsible for the general administration of parts of the PPLAct related to the PPLSC.

Act reference: PPLAct section 115ZB Commissioner to have general administration of this Chapter, section 302 General administration

Appropriation

Payments of PLP made direct to claimants by Centrelink (1.1.C.20), PPL funding amounts (1.1.P.180) paid to employers by Centrelink, and payments of PPLSC (generally to a superannuation fund) by the ATO are made from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Act reference: PPLAct section 307 Appropriation

PPL Rules

The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make PPL Rules (1.1.P.220). The PPL Rules provide for matters required or permitted by the PPLAct or necessary or convenient to be provided in order to carry out or give effect to the PPLAct.

Act reference: PPLAct section 298 The PPL rules

Regulations

The Governor-General may make Regulations consistent with the provisions of the PPLAct setting out certain matters required or permitted by the PPLAct to be prescribed or necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to the PPLAct.

Act reference: PPLAct section 308 Regulations

Review of the operation of the PPLAct

A review of the general operation of the PPL scheme commenced in January 2013. As required under the PPLAct, the Minister ensured that the public was given the opportunity to make submissions in relation to the review and tabled a written report of the review in each house of the Australian Parliament within 15 sitting days of the day on which the Minister received the report.

The review considered:

  • the amount of time off work that primary carers are taking to care for newborn or newly adopted children
  • the availability and amount of leave and payments provided by employers in relation to the birth or adoption of a child, and the interaction of those entitlements with PLP provided under the PPLAct
  • the operation of the work test
  • whether primary claimants' partners should be paid PLP separately from, or in addition to, primary claimants
  • whether employers should make superannuation contributions in relation to PLP
  • the results of any evaluations conducted in relation to the operation of the PPLAct, and
  • any other matter relevant to the general operation of the PPLAct.

Note: The review of the PPL scheme was completed on 11 June 2014, as required under the PPLAct.

Act reference: PPLAct section 307A Review of the operation of this Act

Last reviewed: