Expanded leave benefit grants parents up to 30 weeks of paid leave in their child's first year
Singapore's Shared Parental Leave (SPL) is increasing to 10 weeks starting 1 April, fulfilling the government's commitment in 2024 to enhance the country's leave benefits.
Eligible working parents of children born on or after 1 April, 2026, will be entitled to 10 weeks of SPL, up from the current six weeks that were introduced last year.
The SPL can be shared between both parents, and is equally distributed between them unless they mutually agree to adjust the allocation based on their caregiving needs.
"They should inform their employers early to facilitate planning and work arrangements," the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said in a statement.
Parents have up to four weeks from the child's birth to decide and submit their SPL sharing arrangement on the LifeSG website.
"After this period, any changes will require mutual agreement between parents and their employers. Supporting documents from employers must be submitted when applying for changes via LifeSG," the MSF said.
For employers, the ministry said they should verify their employees' SPL sharing arrangements using the Government-Paid Leave portal after the child's birth has been successfully registered.
Singapore's leave benefits
The 10-week SPL fulfils the commitment announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in 2024, as part of the government's measures to improve its leave offerings.
"This enhancement provides greater support for parents during their child's infancy, when caregiving needs are highest," the MSF said.
The 10-week SPL adds to the current Government-Paid Maternity Leave, which working mothers can enjoy for up to 16 weeks, and the Government-Paid Paternity Leave, which can be used by working dads for four weeks.
Overall, this gives eligible parents up to 30 weeks of paid leave in their child's first year.
"It is part of the Government's broader efforts to strengthen support Singaporeans across their marriage and parenthood journey, and to encourage shared parenting," the MSF said.
