Parental Leave Membership

Eligibility

Financial Law Society of South Australia Admitted Members who are taking Parental Leave from their employment for three to 24 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the benefit of Parental Leave Membership?
During the Member’s period of Parental Leave Membership, the membership fee is complimentary. At the end of the period of Parental Leave, the fee payable to recommence membership is determined on a pro rata basis for the remainder of the relevant membership (financial) year. This fee is payable within one month of the expiration of the period of Parental Leave. The Member’s join date will not be affected by this Parental Leave period.

• A Member is due to commence Parental Leave on 1 September 2021 for 12 months.
• The Member should notify the Society prior to or at the time of renewing their membership (for year ended 30 June 2022), they pay a pro rata membership fee (2 months).They are then not required to pay a membership fee until they return to work on 1 September 2022 (for year ended 30 June 2023). A pro rata membership fee will then apply for the remainder of that financial year = 10 months).

For the period of Parental Leave, the Member’s rights, privileges and benefits are not affected in any way. The Member continues to receive all information disseminated by the Society, can stand and vote in elections (if applicable to the Member’s category of membership) and continues to receive one complimentary Standard CPD Session per year during the period of Parental Leave.

What discount does a Parental Leave Member receive on the cost of Law Society CPD?
A Parental Leave Member continues to receive one complimentary Standard CPD Session per year and is also entitled to the concession rate for CPD offered by the Law Society for the period of Parental Leave.

Does a Member receive a refund of membership fees already paid in advance of commencing Parental Leave?
No. For example, if a Member is granted Parental Leave Membership from 1 May 2022, the Member is not entitled to a refund of the 2021/22 membership fee for the months of May and June 2022. However, a pro rata credit (of two months membership) will be carried forward to the next membership (financial) year.

How does a Member apply for Parental Leave Membership?
A Member applies for Parental Leave Membership by completing an Online Parental Leave Membership Application. The Member will notify the Society of the period they plan to take for Parental Leave.

When does the period of Parental Leave Membership commence and expire?
The period of leave commences and expires on the dates specified by the Society Member in their application, or earlier if the Member returns to work and notifies the Society.

What if a Member does not apply for Parental Leave Membership until after the Society Member has commenced Parental Leave?
Members can apply for Parental Leave Membership following the commencement of Parental Leave.

Does the Parental Leave Member have to notify the Society when they are returning to work?
No. Unless circumstances have changed for the Member, the Member does not need to notify the Society when they are returning to work.

What if the Parental Leave Member changes circumstances?
In the event that the Parental Leave Member:

• Resigns from their employment;
• Returns to their employment part-time; or
• Decides not to return to practise

The Member should contact a Member Services team member to update their details.

Need further information?

Contact Member Services
Phone: (08) 8229 0200
Email: mcs@lawsocietysa.asn.au