Government-Paid Maternity Leave

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If you are a working mother, you can take 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave to recover from childbirth and bond with your newborn.

The period of leave starts from four weeks before the date of delivery and should be taken in one stretch. If you and your employer agree, you can also start your maternity leave anytime within 28 days before delivery, or no later than the date of your delivery, and the 9th to 16th weeks of leave can be taken flexibly over a period of 12 months from your child's date of birth (inclusive of date of birth).

You are eligible for Maternity Leave if you meet all the following criteria:

  • Your child is a Singapore Citizen at birth, or in the case of a stillborn child, would have been a Singapore Citizen at birth;
  • Employees: You have worked for your employer for a continuous period of at least three months before your child is born;
  • Self-employed: You have been engaged in a particular business, trade, profession or vocation for a continuous period of at least three months before your child is born, and have lost income because you did not engage in your business, trade or profession during the Government-Paid Maternity Leave period.

Child Order

Paid By

Cap for Government-paid portion of Maternity Leave*

First and second child order

  • First eight weeks paid by employer
  • Last eight weeks paid by Government

     

  • $10,000 per four weeks
  • Up to $20,000 per child order

Note: The capped amounts are inclusive of CPF contributions

Third and subsequent child order

  • Full 16 weeks paid by Government
  • $10,000 per four weeks
  • Up to $40,000 per child order

Note: The capped amounts are inclusive of CPF contributions


Click here for more details on the application process.

  • FAQ
    • 1. How is child order determined for Government-Paid Maternity Leave?

      Child order takes into consideration biological children, adopted-in children (who are below the age of 12 months at the point of Formal Intent to Adopt), and stillbirths or children who have passed away (applies to those whose estimated date of delivery, delivery date, or Formal Intent to Adopt is on or after 1 November 2021). In the case of biological children, multiple births (e.g. twins) are considered as one child order.

      Stepchildren, foster children and adopted-out children (children adopted-out before the current child’s estimated date of delivery, delivery date, or Formal Intent to Adopt) are excluded in the computation of child order.

    • 2. If my child is not a Singapore citizen at birth but obtains citizenship subsequently, can I qualify for Government-Paid Maternity Leave?

      If your child is not a Singapore citizen at birth, you can still qualify for the Government-Paid Maternity Leave if he or she obtains Singapore citizenship within 12 months from his or her date of birth, and if you meet the other eligibility criteria. The leave can only be consumed after your child obtains Singapore Citizenship and within 12 months from his or her date of birth.