An employee who has taken maternity leave is entitled, if she so wishes, to additional maternity leave for a maximum of 16 consecutive weeks commencing immediately after the end of her maternity leave and any period of transferred paternity leave, or alternatively 16 weeks, all or part of which may be postponed in accordance with section 14B and which commences either in accordance with that section or immediately after her maternity leave and any transferred paternity leave.

Entitlement to additional maternity leave applies whether or not the minimum period of maternity leave was extended under section 12 and, subject to section 14B, requires written notification to the employer in accordance with subsection (4): either at the same time as the notification under section 9 or not later than four weeks before the expected date of return under Part IV, or, where transferred paternity leave is taken, before the date on which the additional maternity leave is to commence. A notification may be revoked by written notice not later than four weeks before that expected date of return. The Minister may by order extend the period in subsection (1). Where pursuant to section 8 a pregnant employee is entitled to a further period of leave referred to in subsection (1A) of that section, nothing in section 8, 13 or 13A prevents her entitlement to additional maternity leave under this section.