# If you’re self-employed Official source: https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/parental-leave/if-youre-self-employed Scanned: 2026-06-07T03:31:31.402Z Use this as a current official guidance reference, not as a substitute for legal advice. ## Page Text Home Leave and holidays Parental leave If you’re self-employed Parental leave Leave and holidays Public holidays Annual holidays Sick leave Bereavement leave Parental leave Managing parental leave as an employer Taking parental leave Types of parental leave If you’re self-employed Family violence leave Jury service leave Employment Relations Education leave Time off to vote Defence force volunteers Other types of leave Everyone If you’re self-employed Find out about parental leave and parental leave payments when you’re self-employed. If you’re self-employed, it’s up to you how much time you take off work when you become a parent. You’ll qualify for parental leave payments if you: are the primary carer of a child under 6 years old, and have worked in self-employment for an average of at least 10 hours a week over any 26 of the 52 weeks just before: your baby’s due date (if you or your partner are giving birth to the baby), or the first date you or your partner become primary carer (if you or your partner have not given birth to the baby, for example, you’re adopting a child). If you’re eligible, you’ll get up to 26 weeks of parental leave payments while you’re not working so that you can care for your child. If you go back to work before the 26 weeks are up, your parental leave payments will stop. If you have a premature baby, you may be able to get preterm baby payments as well. Find out more about parental leave payments, preterm baby payments, and how to work out if you’re eligible: Parental leave payments Apply for parental leave payments through IR: Apply for paid parental leave – Inland revenue (external link) You must apply for parental leave payments before whichever is earliest: the date you return to work your baby’s first birthday (if you, or your partner or spouse, gave birth to the baby) or before you’ve had permanent primary responsibility for the child under 6 years for 12 months (if you or your partner or spouse did not give birth to the baby). Make sure you apply in time so your whānau does not miss out. Published: 11 March 2024 Last modified: 30 June 2025 Written for: Everyone Share this page: Print this page: