Queensland Public Service Redundancy Calculator

Estimate a Queensland public service redundancy, early retirement or retrenchment package under Directive 04/18, with the incentive, notice and tax-free amount.

Last verified: 26 September 2026

Queensland public service severance is 2 weeks' full-time pay per full-time-equivalent year of service, minimum 4 weeks and maximum 52 weeks (Directive 04/18). An incentive of $6,500 or 12 weeks' pay, whichever is greater, may be offered and includes pay in lieu of notice.

Which package?

Redundancy

Your position is redundant and you accept a package

Early retirement

ATO-approved early retirement scheme

Retrenchment

Placement efforts exhausted — no incentive payment

Have you been offered an incentive payment to leave by a set date?

Yes, and I will leave by the date

The incentive is the greater of $6,500 or 12 weeks' pay and already includes your pay in lieu of notice.

Completed years of service*

years

Include earlier employment recognised for long service leave (Directive 04/18 cl 18).

Plus completed months

months

Full-time annual salary*

Full-time salary at your substantive level — ordinary time only, no overtime, penalties or shift allowances.

Current hours as a fraction of full time

1 = full time. 0.6 = three days a week.

Average hours across your service (fraction of full time)

Severance is 2 weeks per full-time-equivalent year. 1 if you have always worked full time.

Your age when employment ends*

years

Will your notice period be paid out?

Yes, paid in lieu

Notice pay is added to the lump sum

No, I will work it

Notice is paid as normal salary

Will you be 60 or older on 30 June this financial year?

No, under 60

Yes, 60 or older

Sets the tax rate on any amount above the tax-free limit: 17% at 60 or older, 32% under 60 (both include the Medicare levy).

The Directive 04/18 formula

Directive 04/18 (Early Retirement, Redundancy and Retrenchment) took effect on 11 May 2018 and is still listed as current. It continues under the Public Sector Act 2022 for the entities it covered before 1 March 2023. It does not apply to temporary, casual or contract employees.

Item	Rule	Clause
Severance	2 weeks' full-time pay per FTE year + proportionate part year	15(c), 16
Minimum / maximum	4 weeks / 52 weeks	15(c)
Incentive	Greater of $6,500 or 12 weeks' pay; includes notice; not on retrenchment	17
Week's pay	Ordinary time rate — no overtime, penalties or shift allowances	8
Leave	Accrued recreation leave and long service leave paid as well	15(a)–(b)

Example: 10 years full time at $94,900 a year ($1,820 a week). Severance is 20 weeks = $36,400. With an incentive, add the greater of $6,500 or 12 weeks ($21,840) = $21,840, which already covers notice: total $58,240. The tax-free limit for 10 completed years is $81,608, so none of it is taxed.

Sources: Directive 04/18 Early Retirement, Redundancy and Retrenchment (forgov.qld.gov.au, status current); Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) s123 and s126 (legislation.qld.gov.au, current version); ATO "Genuine redundancy payments" (updated 5 June 2026). Read 26 September 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How is a Queensland public service redundancy calculated?

Under Directive 04/18 the severance payment is 2 weeks' full-time pay per full-time-equivalent year of service, plus a proportionate amount for an incomplete year, at your substantive level. The minimum is 4 weeks and the maximum is 52 weeks. The same formula applies to redundancy, early retirement and retrenchment packages (Schedule B clause 15).

What is the Queensland public service redundancy incentive payment?

If you are offered an incentive to leave by a set date, it is the greater of $6,500 or 12 weeks' pay at your substantive level, pro-rated for part-time hours. It drops by one week's pay for each week you delay, it includes your pay in lieu of notice, and it is not paid on retrenchment (Directive 04/18 clause 17).

What is the maximum Queensland public service redundancy?

52 weeks' severance, reached at 26 full-time-equivalent years. An incentive of up to 12 weeks' pay (or $6,500 if greater) can be added, and accrued recreation and long service leave are paid on top.

How does part-time work affect a Queensland redundancy?

Severance is based on full-time-equivalent years. For example, 4 years full time and 1 year at 0.5 FTE is 4.5 FTE years, giving 9 weeks at the full-time rate. The incentive is pro-rated to your current part-time hours (Directive 04/18 clause 16–17).

Does the NES apply to Queensland public servants?

No. Queensland public servants are in the state industrial relations system, so the Queensland Employment Standards apply instead. Their redundancy minimum (Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) s126) runs from 4 weeks at 1–2 years to 16 weeks after more than 12 years, and minimum notice (s123) is 1 to 4 weeks plus 1 week if 45 or older with 2+ years' service.

Can I work for the Queensland Government again after taking a package?

Yes, but if you are engaged by any Queensland Government entity for more than 20 working days within your severance period (the number of weeks your severance covers), you must refund the part of the severance for the time you were re-engaged (Directive 04/18 clause 13).

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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.