Maternity Leave for Self Employed Dog Groomers

Running your own grooming business or working as a contractor gives you flexibility, independence, and creative freedom - but when it comes to maternity leave, it can leave you wondering: What am I entitled to?

85% of the dog grooming workforce is female, 55% of which are aged 20-39 - which if you’ve attended an extended family gathering in recent times, your Aunt (who has probably gone a bit too hard on the Chardonnay) will tell you are your best child-bearing years.

Whilst said Aunt may have delivered some news you didn't ask for, statistics actually do back her up with the average age of first pregnancy being between 25 and 34 years. As much as we hate she might be right, the good news is that with the ever-growing capabilities within the medical field in our day and age, we’re seeing this age increase - so you do you Boo!

But enough about drunk relatives and back to us letting you know what your options are as a contractor or self-employed dog groomer looking at starting or growing your fam!

Whilst you’re not entitled to the same payments as a full or part-time worker from your place of employment, you are eligible for government-funded Parental Leave Pay (PLP). PLP is designed to help parents to take time off work to care for their newborn or newly adopted child for up to 100 days which is roughly 20 weeks. This pay is at the national minimum wage which currently sits at $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per week.

Whilst there are some boxes you need to tick in order to be eligible, the good news is it’s (surprisingly) pretty straight forward:

1. Work Test
   You must have worked at least 330 hours in the 13 months before the birth. That may sound overwhelming, but 330 hours over 56 and a half weeks equates down to less than 6 hours a week.

2. Income Test
   You must have earned less than $168,865 in the financial year before the claim. The (very unfortunate) good news is that figure is more than double the highest reported salaries for dog groomers in Australia.

3. Australian Residency
   You must be living in Australia and hold one of the following:
   - Australian Citizenship
   - Permanent Residency Visa
   - Special Category Visa
   - Or certain Temporary Visas that meet a specific criterion

4. Primary Carer
   You must be the primary person caring for the child after birth or adoption

So whilst the PLP scheme is fantastic and $16,000 might seem like a lot, the cost for pre and post-natal care sits at an average of $7,500 and that's not including a nursery set up or day to day living during that time. So how can we better prepare to both apply for the PLP and also set ourselves up for a better budget where possible?

1. Track Your Work Hours
   Keep a simple log of your workdays and hours. This includes your appointments, admin, cleaning, even your time spent on your business social media accounts. This will help you prove your eligibility when applying for the PLP.

2. Set Up Your MyGov Account Early
   If you’re within the previously mentioned ‘ideal’ childbearing age bracket, you were certainly around for COVID-19, so we’re probably safe to assume you have a MyGov account already. But to ease up your application process for PLP, connect this to Centrelink and verify your identity if you haven't already!

3. Start a Maternity Buffer Fund
   Aim to set aside 3–6 months of expenses. Even small weekly amounts help. Automate a portion of your income into a high-interest savings account.

4. Review Your Pricing and Client Load
   If you're planning for pregnancy in the next 12–24 months, consider gradually increasing your rates or taking on extra clients now to build a cushion. But we do recommend increasing your client load with caution, because by all accounts the first and third trimester can be a right old cow in terms of physical and mental health and may require you to take some extra days (or particularly mornings) off.

So, in conclusion:
Being a self-employed dog groomer doesn't mean you have to miss out on support during one of the most important, exciting and challenging times of your life. With the right preparation, you can take time off confidently knowing you’re financially supported and ready to welcome your new addition.

If you're unsure where to start, speak to a Centrelink representative (we do encourage you to pencil out some time to be on hold) or your accountant to tailor a plan that suits your business.

We hope this helps, and all the best to you in your journey to motherhood should you wish to embark!

With love,
igroomhub xx

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