The Federal Government is already being urged to consider extending its paid parental leave scheme, which will start early next year.
Business and union groups have welcomed the passage of the 18-week scheme through Federal Parliament, but the Opposition and Greens have criticised parts of it.
The Australian Industry Group's Heather Ridout says it does bring positives, but she says it also presents some challenges.
"It provides important opportunities for them to keep engaged with their employees," she said.
"I think there are inevitably compliance burdens and these are onerous, and more onerous always for small business.
"But at the same time, if small business use this plan wisely it can work for them.
"I think many will and after we get through the initial bedding down process, which of course will take some time, I think small business will value the program."
Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick says it is a good first step, but should have included superannuation payments.
"We know that women are disadvantaged in retirement because they choose to care," she said.
"I think it would have been symbolic to actually include in the first iteration of the scheme a superannuation layer.
"It would have said that we recognise that women are disadvantaged in retirement and we're going to do something about that.
"But the legislation passed without that amendment and I'm keen that two years on we look at including superannuation in the scheme."
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young also say the scheme should have at least included superannuation payments.
"There's really no excuse except for the fact that the Government didn't want to have to pay that bit extra, to ensure that we do something now immediately to address the retirement pay gap between men and women," she said.
"This would have been the perfect place to start to address that issue."
Opposition spokesperson Sharman Stone says she is very concerned about the burden small businesses will face in administering the scheme.
"This reinstates, or if you like puts into place, an additional potential discrimination against women," she said.
The ACTU says the scheme is the culmination of a 30-year campaign.