Ever wondered if the perfect blend of career growth and family-friendly policies exists in the job market? The answer is a resounding yes, and we’re here to unveil the top five Australian WORK180 Endorsed Employers leading the way.
It’s not just about the number of paid weeks; it’s about a holistic approach. These workplaces champion inclusive policies like gender-neutral language, not discriminating between a primary or secondary carer, or eliminating any arbitrary tenure timelines before employees are eligible to receive these benefits.
This creates environments where your professional and personal aspirations are not just acknowledged but actively supported.
Benefits of working in a company with great paid parental leave policies
Embarking on a career journey with a company renowned for its exceptional paid parental leave policies extends far beyond the immediate advantages. Whether children are in the plan for you or not, there are tangible benefits for you in workplaces that prioritize work-life balance.
- Promotion of Gender Equality: By offering equal parental leave opportunities to all employees, regardless of gender, companies contribute to fostering a more equitable workplace and challenging stereotypes about caregiving responsibilities.
- Enhanced Work-Life Integration: Removing tenure requirements for parental leave eligibility allows employees to better integrate work and family life from the start of their careers. This flexibility supports individuals in building a sustainable work-life balance early on, contributing to increased job satisfaction and overall well-being.
- Increased Employee Engagement: When you feel supported in managing your personal and professional lives, you are more likely to be invested in your work and contribute positively to the workplace culture.
How we calculate the best policies
Not only have all the employers we endorse on our website met our minimum standards to be there, but they also completed a detailed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) survey that requests further information about the drivers we know are important to improving DEI in the workplace. The result is a holistic and intersectional understanding of each company’s current DEI performance and employee offering.
The data helps us rank Endorsed Employers on the key metrics and benefits, like parental leave, that jobseekers should know about a company – before they click apply!
Which Endorsed Employers have the best parental leave policies?
The data that makes up these rankings was correct as of 28 February 2024.
Edits and updates may have been made since then. Check out our explore pages for the most up-to-date rankings.
1. EY 
Consulting & professional services | 5,001-10,000 employees
- 26 weeks company paid primary carers parental leave with no waiting period.
- 26 weeks company paid secondary carers parental leave with no waiting period.
- 26 weeks company paid adoption, foster, or surrogacy parental leave with no waiting period.
2. Essential Energy
Mining, resources & energy | 1,001-5,000 employees
- 26 weeks company paid primary carers parental leave with 6 months waiting period.
- 26 weeks company paid secondary carers parental leave with 6 months waiting period.
- 26 weeks company paid adoption, foster, or surrogacy parental leave with 6 months waiting period.
3. RANZCOG
Education & Training | 101-250 employees
- 26 weeks company paid primary carers parental leave with no waiting period.
- 26 weeks company paid secondary carers parental leave with no waiting period.
- 26 weeks company paid adoption, foster, or surrogacy parental leave with no waiting period.
4. Atlassian
IT, digital & online media services | 5,001-10,000 employees
- 26 weeks company paid primary carers parental leave with no waiting period.
- 20 weeks company paid secondary carers parental leave with no waiting period.
- 20 weeks company paid adoption, foster, or surrogacy parental leave with no waiting period.
5. Windlab Pty Ltd
Mining, resources & energy | 101-250 employees
- 20 weeks company paid primary carers parental leave with 12 months waiting period.
- 20 weeks company paid secondary carers parental leave with 12 months waiting period.
- 20 weeks company paid adoption, foster, or surrogacy parental leave with 12 months waiting period.
Want to see our other top 5 lists?
Top 5 Australian companies with the best leadership diversity
Top 5 Australian companies with the best career development opportunities
Top 5 Australian companies with the best paid time off policies
Top 5 Australian companies with the best flexible & remote working policies
