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Adoption Leave for Mothers (AL) [New!]

To better support adoptive parents in caring for their adopted child, adoption leave has been increased to 12 weeks for adoptive mothers of children below 12 months old.  This applies to adoptive mothers whose formal intent to adopt is on or after 1 July 2017.  


Adoption Leave must be taken within 12 months from the child’s date of birth (inclusive of date of birth) and must start between the (i) date of formal intent to adopt and the (ii) date of Adoption Order.  

The first 8 weeks must be taken in one continuous block whereas the last 4 weeks can be taken flexibility, subject to mutual agreement with the employer. 

The first four weeks of adoption leave will be paid for by the employer (for the 1st and 2nd children), and the last 8 weeks by the Government. For the 3rd and subsequent children, all 12 weeks of leave will be funded by the Government. 


The enhancement to Adoption Leave requires changes to legislation, as well as significant system enhancements to ensure all the claims will be reimbursed accurately. These will take time. Employers will also need time to make adjustments to their infrastructure and HR processes. We have announced the enhancement earlier to give employers time to adjust. ​

Yes. Working adoptive mothers are eligible for 4 weeks of Adoption Leave to be taken within 12 months from the child’s birth. 

By default, the 4 weeks of paid adoption leave can be taken continuously as a block, starting from the point of 'formal intent to adopt', or flexibly over a period of 12 months from the child's birth, if the employer and employee mutually agree. Adoption leave is capped at $10,000 for the 4 weeks, inclusive of CPF contributions.



Last Updated on: Monday, Nov 30, 2020 at 5:01 PM