What is continuous service?
Continuous service is the unbroken period you work for one employer that counts towards entitlements like leave, redundancy, and notice.
Continuous service is the length of time you have been employed by the same employer without a break that resets the clock. It is what most National Employment Standards entitlements are calculated against — annual leave, personal leave, redundancy pay, notice of termination, and long service leave.
Some absences pause your service without breaking it, while others count as normal service. Periods of paid leave, and most periods of unpaid leave taken with the employer's agreement, generally do not break continuous service — though unpaid periods may not count towards the length of service for some entitlements.
Key facts
- •Continuous service is the basis for calculating leave, redundancy, and notice entitlements under the Fair Work Act 2009
- •Authorised paid and unpaid leave does not break continuous service
- •Unpaid leave (other than community service or some parental leave) usually does not count towards the length of service
- •A genuine transfer of business can preserve service with the new employer in many cases
- •Resigning and being rehired generally starts a fresh period of continuous service
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Leave Entitlements CalculatorFrequently asked questions
Does unpaid leave break my continuous service?
Generally no. Authorised unpaid leave does not break your service, but the unpaid period usually does not count towards the length of service used to calculate entitlements like redundancy pay, unless an award or agreement says otherwise.
Do casuals have continuous service?
Regular and systematic casual employment can count towards continuous service for some purposes, such as unfair dismissal eligibility and casual conversion, even though casuals do not accrue paid leave.
FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.