​
​How Parental Leave Pay Works and Who Can Get It

Taking time off to care for a newborn or newly adopted child is a big life change, and the financial side of it can feel overwhelming. That’s where Parental Leave Pay comes in—a government payment designed to support eligible parents while they take time off work to bond with their child.
​

If you’re the primary carer of a child born or adopted from 1 July 2023, you may be eligible. To qualify, you need to meet work and income tests. This includes:

• Having worked at least 10 of the 13 months before your baby’s birth or adoption (at least 330 hours total).
• Earning below the individual income limit of $175,788 for the 2023-24 financial year—or meeting the family income test instead.
• Not working on days you receive Parental Leave Pay (with some exceptions for small business owners).
  ​

You’ll receive payments at the national minimum wage for up to 18 weeks, and you can choose when to take them within the first year after your child's birth or adoption. Applications are made through Centrelink via MyGov, and you’ll need to provide proof of birth after your child arrives.
​

If you’re self-employed, you can still qualify as long as you step back from daily operations. While some minor admin tasks are allowed (like paying bills or checking orders), you’ll need to avoid active work in your business.
​

Parental Leave Pay is a great way to ease financial stress during this important time.
​
Read the full article below for a detailed breakdown of eligibility, payment amounts, and key things to consider.

​
Thinking of Buying a Car for Your Business? Here’s What You Need
to Know

A business car can be a smart move but before you commit, let’s talk money, tax, and what you can actually claim.

First, you can’t claim the full cost if your car is over the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold—that’s $84,916 for fuel-efficient cars and $71,849 for others in 2023-24. Even if you use it 100% for business, deductions are capped at these limits.

Then there’s business vs. personal use—you can only claim the percentage used for business. Planning to use it for both? A logbook is essential to keep the tax office happy.

Next, how will you pay? Buying outright gives you full ownership but ties up cash. Financing spreads out the cost but comes with interest and ongoing repayments.

And don’t forget tax benefits like depreciation, interest deductions, and potential instant asset write-offs—but only if your car falls under the right threshold.

Sound complicated? It doesn’t have to be. We’ve broken it all down so you can make the best decision for your business.

​
BTA Live Q&A ✨Glow Up✨

Starting in May, our monthly Live Q&As format will be getting a ✨Glow Up✨. The first 5 minutes or so will be dedicated to a training on the most asked tax or money topic we have received from clients in our meetings and emails that month.

This video will be recorded and then distributed to our clients in the next monthly newsletter. Even if you can't join Live, you will receive all the business and tax knowledge that we are sharing!

After the training, we will conduct the rest of the session in our usual Q&A style format.

Join our small group Monthly Live Training and Q&A Wednesday, 7 May 2025 at 10am AWST. Diana & Marilyn will be there to answer all your tax, money and business-related questions. No need to register – simply join us using the link below!

Wednesday, 7 May 2025

at 10 AM AWST

(🕚 You can convert to your own time zone here.)

Here is the link to join:

Last Monthly Q&A
Mark Your Diary Now
​

Wednesday, 4 June 2025, 10am AWST

21 April 2025

Lodge and pay March 2025 Monthly BAS Return.

28 April 2025

Lodge and pay March 2025 Super guarantee.

15 May 2025

Lodge and pay all Tax Return for the year ending 30 June 2024.

21 May 2025

Lodge and pay April 2025 monthly BAS return.

📌Reminder: Aim to make your ATO payment 2 days before the due date