bimbo

I am writing on behalf of my sister and hope someone can answer this question. She resigned from her job following her maternity leave. Is it the DATE OF RESIGNATION or the date when MATERNITY LEAVE BEGINS that is important in determining whether the 12 out of 18 month skill requirement for skilled independent category has been met????
I really just want to know whether the 'maternity leave' itself is still considered a period of working. Hope someone can help us out, we have been unable to find the answer to this one anywhere!!!