New Parental Leave Scheme in Singapore, Parents can share their leaves, Govt provide More Extra Paid Leaves
Starting April 1, a new shared parental leave scheme in Singapore will give parents more time to bond with their newborns. This is great news for parents-to-be, especially those with babies born on or after this date.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced that eligible working parents will get six extra weeks of shared leave in addition to their current leave entitlement during the scheme’s first phase. This new benefit is only available to parents of Singaporean children born from April 1, 2024, onwards.
More Leave for Fathers
Fathers will also see an increase in their leave. They will now get four weeks of mandatory government-paid paternity leave, instead of the current two weeks.
Upcoming Changes in 2026
The scheme will get even better from April 1, 2026, when the second phase rolls out. At this stage, parents will receive 10 weeks of shared leave, giving them 50% more days off compared to what they have now. This means more time to support each other and care for their baby during those important early months.
Why These Changes Are Happening
These leave enhancements were introduced after amendments to the Child Development Co-Savings Act in November 2024. The initiative was first announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during his National Day Rally speech in August 2024.
The MSF explained that the scheme aims to give parents better caregiving support during their baby’s infancy, when babies need the most attention.
How Parental Leave Works
Under the enhanced scheme, couples can enjoy up to 30 weeks of paid parental leave in their child’s first year. This includes:
- 16 weeks of government-paid maternity leave for mothers
- Extra shared leave, which parents can split based on their preference
Flexibility in Using Shared Leave
Parents have the freedom to decide how to share the additional leave. In the first phase, the default split will be three weeks for each parent. By 2026, during the second phase, it will increase to five weeks each.
If parents prefer a different arrangement, they can adjust it when they register their baby’s birth on the LifeSG website. They have up to four weeks after the baby’s birth to make any changes.
After the Four-Week Adjustment Period
If parents want to make changes after this period, they will need to:
- Mutually agree with their employers
- Submit the necessary documents on the LifeSG portal
Employers’ Role in the Process
Employers are responsible for verifying their employees’ leave-sharing arrangements. They can do this on the government-paid leave portal after the four-week adjustment period.
Employers and self-employed parents must also submit reimbursement claims within three months after the last day of their shared leave.
When to Take the Shared Leave
MSF mentioned that shared leave must be taken within 12 months of the baby’s birth, and only after parents have used up their government-paid maternity or paternity leave.
Parents are encouraged to plan ahead and discuss their leave arrangements with their employers as soon as possible. Early planning ensures that everyone has enough time to agree on the leave schedule and make work adjustments where needed.
What Happens if Parents Cannot Agree?
If parents and employers can’t come to an agreement, parents may take their shared leave as a continuous block. This block must be taken within the first 26 weeks after the baby’s birth, and parents must give their employers at least four weeks’ notice.
For detailed guidance on shared parental leave:
- Parents can refer to official resources provided by MSF.
- Employers can visit the relevant sections on the government portal for instructions and claim submissions.
This new shared parental leave scheme shows the government’s commitment to helping parents manage work and family life better, giving babies the love and care they need right from the start.
