(updated 29 May 2020)

Working mothers (including self-employed) can enjoy maternity leave benefits under the Government Paid Maternity Leave (GPML) scheme. This will help provide sufficient time to recover from childbirth and care for newborns.

Details

  • You can start your maternity leave 4 weeks before the delivery date and no later than the delivery date. All maternity leave must be taken within 12 months from your child’s date of birth (inclusive of date of birth).
  • Your first 8 weeks of maternity leave must be taken in one continuous block (including weekends and public holidays). The last 8 weeks can be taken flexibly, if there is mutual agreement between your employer and yourself.
  • For your 1st and 2nd child order (see definition below), the Government will pay for the 9th to 16th week of your maternity leave. It is capped at $10,000 per 4 weeks or a total of $20,000 per child order.
  • For your 3rd and subsequent child order, the Government will pay for all 16 weeks of your maternity leave. It is capped at $10,000 per 4 weeks or a total of $40,000 per child order.
  • You cannot use your maternity leave to offset the notice period when you leave your job.
  • Mothers who had stillbirths are also eligible for GPML if the requirements are met. 
  • Working mothers who qualify for the GPML scheme can share part of her leave benefits with her husband under the Shared Parental Leave (SPL) scheme.

​What is Child order?

  • If your child is born and with estimated delivery date (EDD) before 1 Jul 2017,the number of births(s) by the mother (e.g. twins are considered as one child order). It excludes stepchildren, stillbirths, adopted-in children and children who have passed away.
  • If your child is born or with EDD on or after 1 Jul 2017, the number of birth(s) by the mother (e.g. twins are considered as one child order) and adopted-in children (must be below 12 months of age at point of formal intent to adopt – FIA). It excludes stepchildren, stillbirths and children who have passed away or adopted-out before the birth or FIA of the child whom you are currently seeking reimbursement for.

Am I eligible?

You must meet the following requirements:

1. Your child is a Singapore citizen, even if you or your husband is not a Singapore citizen.

Tip
If your child is not a Singapore citizen at date of birth, you can still qualify if your child obtains Singapore citizenship within 12 months from your child’s date of birth (inclusive of date of birth). Your maternity leave benefits under the GPML scheme will only start when your child obtains Singapore citizenship and must be taken within 12 months from your child’s date of birth (inclusive of date of birth).

2. If you are an employee: You must have served your employer for a period of at least 3 months immediately before your child’s date of birth

Or

If you are self-employed: You must be engaged in your business, trade or profession continuously for at least 3 months immediately before your child’s date of birth.

If you are unsure, please use the maternity self-assessment tool.

MORE INFO