Victoria Long Service Leave Calculator
Calculate your long service leave entitlements under Victorian law with our accurate tool
Your Long Service Leave Entitlements
Comprehensive Guide to Long Service Leave in Victoria (2024)
Long Service Leave (LSL) is an important employment benefit that rewards workers for their loyalty and continuous service to an employer. In Victoria, the Long Service Leave Act 2018 governs these entitlements, providing specific rules about accrual, eligibility, and payment. This guide explains everything you need to know about calculating and claiming your long service leave in Victoria.
What is Long Service Leave?
Long Service Leave is paid leave that accumulates over time as recognition for an employee’s long-term commitment to their employer. Unlike annual leave, which accrues annually, LSL builds up over many years of continuous service.
Key Eligibility Requirements in Victoria
To qualify for long service leave in Victoria, employees must meet the following criteria:
- Continuous employment: You must have worked for the same employer for at least 7 years continuously
- Service calculation: The 7 years can include periods of paid leave, unpaid parental leave (up to 52 weeks), and some other approved absences
- Employment type: Applies to full-time, part-time, and regular casual employees
- Victoria-specific: Different rules apply in other states and territories
How Long Service Leave Accrues in Victoria
The accrual rates for long service leave in Victoria are as follows:
- After 7 years: 1/60th of your total service (approximately 6.1 weeks for full-time employees)
- After 15 years: An additional 1/60th for each additional year of service
- Pro rata: Available after 7 years if employment ends due to resignation, dismissal, death, or other qualifying reasons
| Years of Service | Entitlement (Full-time Equivalent) | Accrual Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7 years | 6.1 weeks (1/60th of service) | 0.833 weeks per year |
| 8 years | 6.9 weeks | 0.866 weeks per year |
| 10 years | 8.6 weeks | 0.866 weeks per year |
| 15 years | 13 weeks | 0.866 weeks per year |
| 20 years | 17.3 weeks | 0.866 weeks per year |
How to Calculate Your Long Service Leave
Calculating your long service leave involves several steps:
- Determine your total service period: Calculate the time between your start date and end date (or current date if still employed)
- Adjust for breaks in service: Subtract any unpaid leave periods that don’t count as continuous service
- Calculate eligible service: For pro rata calculations, you need at least 7 years of service
- Apply the accrual rate: Multiply your eligible service by 1/60th (0.01667) to get your entitlement in years
- Convert to hours/days: Multiply the years by your average weekly hours and then by 52 weeks
For example, if you’ve worked 8 years full-time (38 hours/week):
8 years × (1/60) = 0.1333 years entitlement
0.1333 × 38 hours × 52 weeks = 266.6 hours (≈ 6.9 weeks)
Common Questions About Long Service Leave in Victoria
Does long service leave accrue during unpaid leave?
Generally no, but there are exceptions:
- Up to 52 weeks of unpaid parental leave counts as service
- Workers’ compensation absences may count in some cases
- Jury service typically counts as continuous service
Can I cash out my long service leave?
In Victoria, you can only receive payment for long service leave when:
- You take the leave (paid at your normal rate)
- Your employment ends (paid as a lump sum)
- Special circumstances apply (with employer agreement)
What happens to my LSL if I change employers?
In most cases, your long service leave doesn’t transfer between employers unless:
- The new employer is considered a “transmission of business”
- You work in certain portable long service leave schemes (like construction or cleaning industries)
- Your employment contract specifically provides for recognition of prior service
Portable Long Service Leave Schemes in Victoria
Victoria has several industry-specific portable long service leave schemes where your entitlements follow you between employers in the same industry:
| Industry | Scheme Name | Website | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | CoINVEST | coinvest.com.au | Covers most construction workers in Victoria |
| Contract Cleaning | Portable Long Service Leave Authority | plsa.vic.gov.au | Mandatory for cleaning contractors with ≥20 employees |
| Security | Portable Long Service Leave Scheme | victoriansecurityscheme.com.au | Covers licensed security officers |
| Community Services | Portable Long Service Benefits Scheme | plsbs.org.au | Voluntary scheme for social/community workers |
How to Claim Your Long Service Leave
To claim your long service leave in Victoria:
- Check your eligibility: Confirm you meet the 7-year service requirement
- Review your balance: Check your employment records or payslips
- Give notice: Provide written notice to your employer (typically 4-6 weeks in advance)
- Agree on dates: Work with your employer to schedule the leave
- Receive payment: You should be paid at your ordinary pay rate
If your employer disputes your entitlement, you can seek assistance from:
- The Fair Work Ombudsman
- The Victorian Wage Inspectorate
- Your union representative (if applicable)
Long Service Leave vs Annual Leave: Key Differences
| Feature | Long Service Leave | Annual Leave |
|---|---|---|
| Accrual period | 7+ years of service | Accrues annually |
| Accrual rate | 1/60th of service per year after 7 years | 4 weeks per year (5 weeks for shift workers) |
| Payment on termination | Paid out if you have ≥7 years service | Always paid out on termination |
| Portability | Generally not portable (except in specific schemes) | Not portable between employers |
| Cashing out | Only in specific circumstances | Possible under some enterprise agreements |
| Loading | No loading | Often includes 17.5% loading |
Excel Spreadsheet for Long Service Leave Calculations
While our online calculator provides instant results, you may want to create your own Excel spreadsheet for more detailed tracking. Here’s how to set one up:
- Create input cells:
- Start date (formatted as date)
- End date (formatted as date)
- Average weekly hours
- Unpaid break days
- Add calculation formulas:
- =DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, “y”) & ” years and ” & DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, “ym”) & ” months”
- =DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, “d”)-unpaid_breaks for eligible days
- =eligible_days/365*1/60 for accrual fraction
- =accrual_fraction*average_weekly_hours*52 for total hours
- Add conditional formatting: Highlight when 7-year threshold is reached
- Create a summary section: Show current balance and next milestone
For a pre-made template, you can download the official Victorian Government Long Service Leave Calculator spreadsheet.
Recent Changes to Victorian Long Service Leave Laws
The Long Service Leave Act 2018 introduced several important changes:
- Pro rata entitlements: Employees with ≥7 years service can now receive pro rata LSL when employment ends
- Parenting leave: Up to 52 weeks of unpaid parental leave now counts as service
- Transfer of business: Clearer rules about when service counts with a new employer
- Payment timing: Must be paid at the same time as normal wages
- Record keeping: Employers must keep LSL records for 7 years
These changes generally made it easier for employees to access their entitlements, particularly when changing jobs or taking parental leave.
Important Disclaimer: This calculator and guide provide general information only. For specific advice about your situation, consult the Victorian Government Long Service Leave page or seek professional legal advice. Employment laws can change, and individual circumstances may affect your entitlements.