How much long service leave do I get in Australia?

Long service leave entitlements vary by state and territory. In most states, employees receive 8.667 weeks (2 months) of paid leave after 10 years of continuous service. Victoria and the ACT provide 6.0667 weeks after a shorter 7-year qualifying period. South Australia and the Northern Territory provide 13 weeks after 10 years.

When can I access long service leave?

You can access long service leave once you reach the qualifying period in your state or territory — typically 10 years of continuous service (7 years in Victoria and the ACT). If your employment ends before then you may be eligible for pro-rata long service leave: from 5 years in NSW and the ACT, and from 7 years in Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania and the NT. Whether a resignation qualifies for pro-rata depends on the state and the reason — see below.

Is long service leave different in each state?

Yes. Unlike most employment entitlements which are set nationally under the Fair Work Act, long service leave is governed by state and territory legislation. The qualifying period, entitlement amount, and pro-rata rules differ across NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT, and ACT. Always check the rules for your specific state.

Do I get pro-rata long service leave if I resign?

It depends on your state and how long you have worked. Victoria pays accrued long service leave on resignation once you reach 7 years (Long Service Leave Act 2018), and Western Australia and South Australia pay pro-rata on a lawful resignation from 7 years. In NSW, Queensland, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory, a plain voluntary resignation does NOT attract pro-rata before the full qualifying period (10 years, or 7 in the ACT) — pro-rata before then is reserved for employer-initiated endings (dismissal or redundancy, except serious misconduct) or a resignation forced by illness, incapacity or domestic or other pressing necessity. Once you reach the full qualifying period, accrued long service leave is paid out when you leave for any reason, including resignation.

Is pro-rata long service leave different for redundancy or dismissal?

Yes. In NSW you can receive pro-rata long service leave from 5 years if your employer ends your job (including redundancy) for any reason other than serious and wilful misconduct. In Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania and the NT the employer-side pro-rata floor is 7 years, and in the ACT it is 5 years. The key difference is that an employer-initiated ending (dismissal or redundancy) unlocks pro-rata earlier than a plain resignation in NSW, QLD, TAS, ACT and NT. Serious and wilful misconduct forfeits the pro-rata portion in every state.

What happens to long service leave if I worked in more than one state?

Service with the same employer counts as continuous even if you worked in different states, so interstate service still counts toward the qualifying period. The law that applies — including the qualifying period and pro-rata rules — is generally that of the state or territory where you work when leave is taken or when employment ends, not where the employer's head office sits (Fair Work Ombudsman). Long service leave is set by state and territory legislation, not the Fair Work Act.

Do casual employees get long service leave?

Yes — in every state and territory casual employees can accrue long service leave when engaged on a regular and systematic basis over the qualifying period. The detail varies: NSW counts regular and systematic engagement (Long Service Leave Act 1955), Tasmania counts a casual as continuously employed only while regularly working 32 or more hours in each consecutive 4-week period (Long Service Leave Act 1976), and Queensland can break continuous service if there is a gap of more than 3 months between engagements (Industrial Relations Act 2016). Check your state's legislation for the exact eligibility test.

Long Service Leave Calculator

Calculate your long service leave entitlement based on your state or territory, years of service, and weekly pay. Includes pro-rata eligibility where applicable.

Last verified: 2 August 2026

Long service leave gives you paid time off after 7-10 years with the same employer (varies by state). In most states, you get about 8.67 weeks of leave after 10 years. Some states allow pro-rata access from 7 years.

State / territory*

Long service leave rules vary by state and territory.

Years of continuous service*

years

Total years of continuous service with your current employer.

Ordinary weekly pay (before tax)*

Your ordinary gross weekly pay, excluding overtime, bonuses, and allowances.

Reason for leaving

Pro-rata access before the full qualifying period depends on why you leave — a plain resignation does not qualify in NSW, QLD, TAS, ACT or NT.

Employment type

Casuals can accrue long service leave in every state when engaged on a regular basis.

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You may be covered by a portable long service leave scheme — your leave keeps building across employers in the same industry, even when you change jobs. Check your state's scheme with the Portable Long Service Leave Checker.

Long service leave rules by state

State	Full entitlement	Qualifying period
New South Wales	8.667 weeks' paid leave	10 years' continuous service
Victoria	6.0667 weeks' paid leave	7 years' continuous service
Queensland	8.667 weeks' paid leave	10 years' continuous service
South Australia	13 weeks' paid leave	10 years' continuous service
Western Australia	8.667 weeks' paid leave	10 years' continuous service
Tasmania	8.667 weeks' paid leave	10 years' continuous service
Northern Territory	13 weeks' paid leave	10 years' continuous service
Australian Capital Territory	6.0667 weeks' paid leave	7 years' continuous service

Pro-rata access on termination differs by state and by how the employment ends — run the calculator above with your state selected for your exact position, including pro-rata rules. Figures come from each state's Long Service Leave Act (sources listed in the calculator's methodology).

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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.

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Long service leave rules by state

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