Department was in the dark on PPL change

Government officials first learned Tony Abbott's controversial paid parental leave scheme was being re-worked when they heard about it in the media.

Department of Social Services boss Finn Pratt says his staff only became aware the policy was being changed in December, at the same time as everyone else.

"No," he said when asked in a Senate estimates hearing on Friday whether the department was notified before the prime minister's announcement.

Since then the department has been providing constant advice to their new minister Scott Morrison as he develops a new families package, he said.