Rest parental leave data points to rise in men embracing caring responsibilities

Ahead of Father's Day, Rest, one of Australia's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, says more than half of its employees taking parental leave are now men, a positive sign that shared caring responsibilities are increasingly being normalised.

Men accounted for 56% of those taking parental leave at Rest in the 2024/25 financial year¹, with a similar uptake (54.5%) occurring in the 2025/26 financial year.²

This is a substantial increase on the data from 2023/24, when men accounted for just 29% of Rest employees taking parental leave.

Similar trends are emerging across the superannuation sector. Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) data shows men accounted for 40% of parental leave takers in 2024/25, up from 32% the previous year.¹

To build on this momentum, Rest recently increased its paid gender-neutral parental leave offering from 16 weeks to 22 weeks and removed the waiting period, making it one of the leading offerings in the superannuation sector.³

Rest’s expanded parental leave offering forms part of a broader enhanced package of employee benefits, including 5 paid ‘Rest Days’ each year, 15 days of personal leave, and enhanced family and domestic violence support, including uncapped leave for impacted employees and 10 days of support leave to assist loved ones.

Amy Murrell, Rest’s Chief People Officer, says the data highlights the important role inclusive policies and a supportive culture play in normalising shared caring responsibilities and advancing gender equality.

"It's encouraging to see more men taking caring roles and spending valuable time with their families during important life moments," Ms Murrell says.

"Just a few years ago, men made up less than a third of employees taking parental leave at Rest. Today, they're the majority. It’s a strong sign more men feel supported to take on caring responsibilities.

“Inclusive policies matter, but people also need to feel supported to use them. This shift was already emerging before we enhanced our parental leave offering, which suggests culture has also played an important role.

"We've increased our paid gender-neutral parental leave offering to help attract and retain great people. This will give them flexibility and support to be their best at work and home.”

Ms Murrell adds that Rest is determined to build on the momentum within the superannuation sector and hopes that similar normalisation will occur across other industries. WGEA data for all private sector employers with more than 100 employees, shows that men accounted for only 20% of primary carer parental leave takers in 2024/25.¹

“We represent more than 1.2 million female members, and we are committed to supporting changes that lead to fairer and more equitable outcomes for them,” Ms Murrell says.

“We know that unequal caring responsibilities are a key barrier to women’s participation in the workforce, so it’s important that, as an employer, we show leadership in areas that directly contribute to greater gender equality.”