Pre-placement adoption leave allowance

Last updated on January 15, 2026

This information is for people employed by the BC Public Service.

If you work for another employer, please contact your Human Resources Office or review the maternity and parental leave information offered by Service Canada.

Pre-placement adoption leave allowance: information for BC Public Service employees

Eligibility

You're eligible for the allowance if you are:

A regular (full- or part-time) employee, or
An auxiliary employee who's eligible for pre-placement adoption benefits as per your Collective Agreement or Terms and Conditions of Employment

Amount

You are entitled to pre-adoption leave without pay of up to 7 weeks (245 work hours) per calendar year with an allowance of 85% of basic pay during the period(s) of leave. This allowance is available only for the periods of leave taken for pre-placement adoption activities.

Steps to apply

For information on applying for pre-placement adoption allowance, visit Applying for and extending pre-placement adoption leave.

Not claiming, or choosing to defer, the allowance

If you're not sure you want to claim the pre-adoption allowance for whatever reason, including that you have not decided if you'll return to work after your leave, you may choose to defer the allowance.

You can defer the allowance up to the end of the return-to-work repayment period. The return-to-work repayment period is 6 months, or the length of your leaves taken, whichever is longer. Let your supervisor know if you choose to defer.

Refer to the Benefits while on leave or layoff page to learn about your benefits.

Have questions?

Contact AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) by submitting a service request using the categories: Myself (or) my Team or Organization > Pay > Allowances & Reimbursements

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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