As a working father in Singapore, you may be eligible for Shared Parental Leave (SPL), allowing you to take time off work to bond with your newborn while supporting your spouse. This guide covers the current SPL scheme, upcoming changes from April 2025, and how to apply.

Current Shared Parental Leave Scheme

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for Shared Parental Leave, you must meet the following conditions:

1. You are a working father (including self-employed individuals).
2. Your child is a Singapore citizen.
3. The child's mother qualifies for Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML).
4. You are legally married to the child’s mother.

Leave Entitlement

If your child is born or has an Estimated Delivery Date (EDD) on or after 1 July 2017, you can apply to take up to 4 weeks of SPL from your wife’s 16-week GPML. The leave is capped at $2,500 per week, including CPF contributions.

You can take your leave in the following ways:

1. Default arrangement (without mutual agreement): Take 4 continuous weeks of leave within 12 months after birth.
2. Flexible arrangement (with mutual agreement): Take leave in blocks of weeks or working days within 12 months.
3. Working day calculation: Number of leave weeks × Number of working days (capped at 6 days per week).

Upcoming Changes from April 2025

From 1 April 2025, the current SPL scheme will be replaced with a new paid parental leave policy. This change enhances the leave entitlement for both parents:

1. Phase 1 (From 1 April 2025): Parents can share 6 weeks of paid parental leave (default: 3 weeks per parent).
2. Phase 2 (From 1 April 2026): Parents can share 10 weeks of paid parental leave (default: 5 weeks per parent).

These 10 weeks will be provided in addition to existing Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML) and Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL).

How to Apply for Shared Parental Leave

Fathers can apply for SPL through their employers. Self-employed fathers can submit a claim through the Government-Paid Leave (GPL) Portal.

To claim SPL, the following conditions apply:

1. The child's mother must consent to sharing her leave.
2. The father must be legally married to the mother on the relevant date.
3. The child must be a Singapore citizen.

Conclusion

The Shared Parental Leave scheme in Singapore helps fathers take an active role in parenting. With upcoming changes in April 2025 and 2026, parents will have greater flexibility and support to manage work and family life. Ensure you stay informed about the latest policies and apply for SPL through the GPL Portal for a smooth process.