Fathers and partners, including adopting parents and same sex couples, will be able to claim two weeks pay at the minimum wage under the scheme's extension.
They will have to meet the same work requirements before claiming the leave as mothers who want to claim the paid parental leave.
But they will be able to claim the two weeks leave even if the mother is not eligible.
The dad and partner pay will work on a "use it or lose it" basis and cannot be transferred to the primary carer.
Families Minister Jenny Macklin said extending the leave scheme meant dads and other partners would not have to take annual leave to spend time with their new child.
Ms Macklin said Labor's scheme sent a strong message that taking time out of the workforce to care for a child was the usual course of life for both parents.
What do you think about paid parental leave being extended to fathers?
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