PORTABLE LONG SERVICE LEAVE

Long service leave is additional leave accrued by workers after extended periods of service with an employer. Across Australia, it is governed by state and territory legislation.

For people who work for multiple employers over their career, it is often difficult to accrue this leave. This is typically the case for many workers in industries such as building and construction, contract cleaning, community services, security, hairdressing and beauty, and food and accommodation.

Australian states and territories have passed legislation over the years to provide workers in these some or all of these industries with access to portable long service leave, regardless of whether they work one or more employers. Not all industries are covered by all states and territories.

These schemes and their associated funds are administered by an authority in each state or territory.

A National Reciprocal Agreement has been entered into by every state/territory-based scheme to enable interstate construction work to count towards a worker's long service leave. Reciprocal agreements are in many cases also in place between states and territories for other industries where there are schemes in common.

AUSLEAVE

Ausleave provides centralised access to information about each state and territory's scheme. We believe that portable long service leave should be managed cooperatively to better service workers in the industries we cover.

It is intended that as co-operation develops between the state and territory schemes on a national basis, this website will develop incrementally as a service particularly to companies and workers who work across state and territory borders in Australia.

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS

Click here to update your contact details with schemes across Australia.

See below schemes for their respective jurisdiction information.

SA Portable Long Service Leave
State / Territory

South Australia

Covered Sectors / Industries & Commencement Date

  • Building and Construction Industry (1 April 1977)

  • Community Services Industry (1 October 2025)

Construction Industry

The South Australian Portable Long Service Leave Scheme – Construction Industry applies to businesses who employ workers who perform “building” or “electrical or metal trades work” as defined in the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Act 1987 (the Act).

The scheme does not cover workers who do not primarily perform building, electrical, or metal trades work as defined by the Act. This includes those mainly involved in service and maintenance, workshop or office-based roles, and on-site staff who do not physically carry out construction work.

For further information on coverage, eligibility, and employer obligations, please refer to: SA Portable Long Service Leave – Construction Industry

Community Services

The South Australian Portable Long Service Leave Scheme – Community Services applies to employers and workers in the community services sector where work is covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS) or the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement Award 2016 (ALRM).

The scheme covers a wide range of activities delivered across the community services sector. These include services such as housing and homelessness support, child and family services, domestic and family violence services, and community development programs.

The scheme does not apply to workers employed solely in sectors outside of community services, such as aged care (unless supporting community services work), or to for-profit entities where no eligible roles exist.

For more information about coverage, eligibility and employer obligations, please visit our website: SA Portable Long Service Leave - Community

Contact Details

Phone: (08) 8332 6111

Email:  admin@saplsl-construction.org.au

Webpage:  www.saplsl-construction.org.au

Portable Long Service Authority (Victoria)
State / Territory

Victoria

Covered Sectors / Industries & Commencement Date

  • Community Services (1 July 2019)

  • Contract Cleaning (1 July 2019)

  • Security (1 July 2019)

Community Services Scheme

Community services employers are non-profit entities employing workers to perform community service work, or for-profit entities that employ at least one person to perform community service work for people with a disability.

The scope of work carried out in the community services sector is broad and expansive.

From 1 January 2020, activities funded by the NDIS are included in the Scheme as community services work. 

Children’s services provided by non-profit licensed children's services and approved providers under the Education and Care Services National Law have been included in the Scheme as community services work since 1 January 2020.

The Scheme does not cover for-profit entities that are approved children's service providers.

For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.plsa.vic.gov.au/employer-information/scheme-coverage

Contract Cleaning Scheme

Contract cleaning employers engage one or more workers to perform cleaning work for other people.

For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.plsa.vic.gov.au/employer-information/scheme-coverage

Security Scheme

Security employers engage one or more workers to perform security activities under the Private Security Act 2004.

For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.plsa.vic.gov.au/employer-information/scheme-coverage

Contact Details

Phone:  1800 517 158

Email:  enquiries@plsa.vic.gov.au

Webpage:  https://www.plsa.vic.gov.au

LeavePlus (Victoria)
State / Territory

Victoria

Covered Sectors / Industries & Commencement Date

Construction Work in the Construction Industry in Victoria, which includes:

  • Building Trades Work

  • Electrical Trades Work

  • Metal Trades Work

  • Other Trades Work

Refer to the definition of ‘Construction Industry’ in the Rules at Legislation | Construction Long Service Leave Victoria | LeavePlus

See commencement dates for scheme coverage at:

Scheme Coverage | Construction Long Service Leave Victoria | LeavePlus

Construction Industry

  • LeavePlus is the regulator and administrator of the portable long service leave scheme for the construction industry in Victoria. The scheme is given statutory force by the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Act 1997 (‘Act’).

  • The LeavePlus scheme covers workers and working sub-contractors within the building, electrical and metal trades sectors of the construction industry.

  • All members of the construction industry, including employers, workers, worker directors, apprentices and working sub-contractors are required to be registered with LeavePlus. 

  • Work covered by LeavePlus includes construction, but we also cover reconstruction, renovation, maintenance and installation. Service, maintenance and repair work is also covered under certain trades. Particular works are only partially covered by the scheme or only covered when carried out by a third party.

  • Installation, maintenance, repair or testing of electrical, electronic or acoustic security alarm equipment or devices is Construction Work and must be reported to LeavePlus not the security worker scheme administered by the Portable Long Service Authority (‘PLSA’).

  • Work of a cleaning nature performed on a building or a house under construction or renovation, which is performed under contract for a third party (such as the builder or principal contractor), is Construction Work and must be reported to LeavePlus not the Contract Cleaning scheme administered by the Portable Long Service Authority (‘PLSA’).

  • Where a worker performs more than 5 days of covered work in any month in Victoria, their Employer is legally required to report that service to LeavePlus.

  • Employers are required to complete quarterly Returns to report the service of their workers.

  • LeavePlus has a ‘2/3rds Rule’ which means that where a worker is employed by the same Employer during a Return period and performs covered work for 2/3rs of the time, the Employer must report full service for that Worker during that Return period.

  • Workers only need 7 years of service (1820 days of continuous service) in the Construction Industry to apply for a Long Service Leave Benefit from LeavePlus. 

  • Service performed in other states & territories can also be recognised alongside service that a worker has accrued with the LeavePlus scheme.

  • The accrual rate for service is 1/40th (1.30 weeks of leave accrued per full year of service recorded).

  • One year of service = 260 days. Where a Worker performs 220 days of service in a financial year, that will constitute one year of continuous service.

Read the ‘Construction Industry Long Service Leave Act 1997’

Construction Industry Long Service Leave Act 1997 | legislation.vic.gov.au

Contact Details

Phone:  1300 264 683 or 03 9664 7677

Email:  info@leaveplus.com.au

Webpage:  Construction Long Service Leave Victoria | LeavePlus

ACT Leave
State / Territory

Australian Capital Territory

 

Covered Sectors / Industries & Commencement Date

  • Building and Construction (1 October 1981)

  • Community Services (1 July 2010)

  • Security (1 January 2013)

  • Services (1 April 2025)

    • Contract Cleaning (previously a separate scheme commenced 24 June 2000)

    • Hairdressing and Beauty Services (from 1 July 2026)

    • Food and Accommodation (from 1 July 2016)

Building and Construction

ACT Leave covers workers in the Building and Construction Industry who undertake relevant work, including construction, reconstruction, renovation, alteration, repairing, altering, demolition or maintenance.

The scheme applies to employees and contractors who perform or directly supervise relevant work. Workers may be employed full time, part time or casual, or apprentices. Working directors are also covered.

For more information about the Building and Construction Industry Scheme, please visit our website:

https://actleave.act.gov.au/construction/

Community Services 

ACT Leave covers workers in the Community Sector who provide relevant services, including:

  • educational and care services

  • disability services

  • community advocacy services

  • aged care in certain settings (added 1 July 2016)

    Portable long service applies to work carried out in the industry, regardless of the worker’s role. That means, in most cases, all the employees of an employer are covered. For example, both the chef and administration staff of a childcare centre are covered. Workers may be employees or contractors, employed full time, part time or casual. Working Directors are also covered under the scheme.

For more information about the Community Sector Scheme, please visit our website:

https://actleave.act.gov.au/community/

Security Industry

ACT Leave covers workers in the Security Sector who undertake security activities defined under section 7(1)(a) to (h) in the Security Industry Act 2003. This includes patrolling, guarding, monitoring, crowd control, bodyguard services, or working as a security consultant.

Workers may be employees or contractors, employed full time, part time or casual. Working Directors are also covered under the scheme.

For more information about the Security Industry Scheme, please visit our website:

https://actleave.act.gov.au/security/

Services Industry

The Services Industry Scheme covers workers who are performing relevant work in:

  • contract cleaning industry

  • hairdressing and beauty services – within the meaning of ANZSIC, Division S, Class 9511 (from 1 July 2026)

  • accommodation and food services, including hospitality services – within the meaning of the ANZSIC, Division H (from 1 July 2026).

Workers previously covered under the Contract Cleaning Scheme were automatically transferred to the Services Industry Scheme on 1 April 2025. The transition does not impact any existing long service leave accruals or entitlements for a worker or their current employer.

Workers may be employees or contractors, employed full time, part time or casual, or apprentices. Working Directors are also covered under the scheme.

For more information about the Services Industry Scheme, please visit our website:

https://actleave.act.gov.au/services/

Contact Details

Phone:  02 6247 3900

Email:  enquiry@actleave.act.gov.au

Webpage:  https://actleave.act.gov.au/

TasBuild
State / Territory

Tasmania

 

Covered Sectors / Industries & Commencement Date

  • Building and Construction Industry (22/3/1972)

Construction Industry

The ‘construction industry’ is any or all work described in the Division E and classes of Division C of the Australian, New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) Code 1993 where in relation to Division C it involves the construction and installation or fixing of goods, materials or products for use in or in connection with that industry.

Relevant employment includes any work on a permanent or casual basis in the Construction Industry on the site of the work or in making, preparing, storing, or transporting goods or material for use in that work where the period of employment is for at least one full day.

It does not include work for an employer not engaged in the Construction Industry in the maintenance of plant and equipment despite the work being similar to work undertaken in the Construction Industry.

Contact Details

Phone:  03 6294 0807

Email:  secretary@tasbuild.com.au

Webpage:  www.tasbuild.com.au

QLeave Portable Long Service Leave
State / Territory

Queensland

Covered Sectors / Industries & Commencement Date
 

  • Building and Construction Industry (1 July 1992)

  • Contract Cleaning Industry (1 July 2005)

  • Community Services Industry (1 January 2021)

Building and Construction Industry Scheme

The Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Act 1991 (the Act) provides a fair and efficient system of portable long service leave for workers in the Queensland building and construction industry.

Under the Act, eligibility for long service leave entitlements is based on service to the industry rather than continuous service to one employer.

QLeave is the trading name of the Building and Construction Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Authority, established to administer the portable long service leave scheme.

For more information, please visit our website at:

https://www.qleave.qld.gov.au/building-and-construction/employers/how-portable-long-service-works

Contract Cleaning Industry Scheme

The Contract Cleaning Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Act 2005 (the Act) provides a system of long service leave entitlements for workers in Queensland's contract cleaning industry.

Under the Act, eligibility for long service leave entitlements is based on service to the industry rather than continuous service to one employer.

QLeave is the statutory authority administering the portable long service leave scheme for workers and employers in the contract cleaning industry in Queensland.

For more information, please visit our website at:

https://www.qleave.qld.gov.au/contract-cleaning/employers/how-portable-long-service-leave-works

Community Services Industry Scheme

 The Community Services Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Act 2020 (the Act) provides a fair and efficient system of portable long service leave for workers in Queensland's community services industry.

Under the Act, eligibility for long service leave entitlements is based on service to the industry rather than continuous service to one employer.

QLeave is the statutory authority administering the portable long service leave scheme for workers and employers in the community services industry in Queensland.

For more information, please visit our website at: https:// www.qleave.qld.gov.au/community-services/employers/how-portable-long-service-leave-works

Contact Details

Phone: 1300 QLEAVE (1300 753 283)

Webpage:  https://www.qleave.qld.gov.au

NSW Long Service Corporation
State / Territory

New South Wales

Covered Sectors / Industries & Commencement Date

  • Building and Construction (1975)

  • Contract Cleaning (1 July 2011)

  • Community Services (1 July 2025)

Building & Construction Industry

The scheme covers employees and contractors who perform building and construction work in the building and construction industry in NSW.

The building and construction industry is the carrying out of construction, reconstruction, renovation, alteration, demolition or maintenance or repairs of or to buildings, etc.

Building and construction work is the carrying out of work for which a rate of pay is fixed by a prescribed award.

For more information, please visit our website at:

https://www.longservice.nsw.gov.au/bci/the-scheme

Contract Cleaning Industry

The scheme covers fulltime, part-time and casual cleaners employed by a business or self employed as a contractor to undertake commercial or domestic cleaning work under contract such as in offices, shopping centres, schools and hospitals.

 

Not all cleaners are covered by the scheme, i.e. cleaners who are directly employed by the owners of the premises are not covered by the scheme.

 

For more information, please visit our website at:

https://www.longservice.nsw.gov.au/cci/the-scheme

 

Community Services Industry

The scheme covers workers employed on a full-time, part-time and casual basis to do community service work in NSW.  Community service work is defined as:

  • work to provide a community service, or

  • work for an employer, if the predominant purpose of the employer is to provide a community service.

Self-managed participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are included in the scheme and self-employed contractors doing community service work in NSW can opt-in.

For more information, please visit our website at:

https://www.longservice.nsw.gov.au/csi/the-scheme

Contact details

Phone: 13 14 41

Email: info@longservice.nsw.gov.au

Online enquiries: LSC online contact form

Webpage:  http://www.longservice.nsw.gov.au

NT Build Portable Long Service Leave
State / Territory

Northern Territory

Covered Sectors / Industries & Commencement Date

  • Building and Construction (1 July 2005)

Construction Workers Scheme

The scheme enables construction workers and contractors (labour only) that carry out ‘construction work’ to qualify for long service leave based on their service to the construction industry.

For the purposes of the Scheme, construction work includes commercial, domestic, industrial and civil construction, and covers (among other things) reclamation, earthmoving, landscaping repair, maintenance, extension and demolition work.

Contact Details

Phone:  1300 795 855

Email:  info@ntbuild.com.au

Webpage:  www.ntbuild.com.au

MyLeave - Construction Long Service WA
State / Territory

Western Australia

 

Covered Sectors / Industries & Commencement Date

  • Building and Construction Industry (6 January 1987)

Construction Industry

The Construction Industry Portable Paid Long Service Leave Act 1985 WA (the Act) provides a system of long service leave entitlements for workers in the construction industry.

Under the Act, eligibility for long service leave entitlements is based on service to the construction industry rather than continuous service to one employer.

Construction industry means the industry of carrying out on a site the construction, erection, installation, reconstruction, re-erection, renovation, alteration, demolition, or maintenance of or repairs to buildings and other defined works, including construction work whilst on a vessel/ship.

For more information, please visit our website at:

https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/myleave-construction-long-service-board-wa/about-myleave

Contact Details

Phone: (08) 9476 5400

Email:  hi@myleave.wa.gov.au

Webpage:  www.myleave.wa.gov.au

PARTNER AGENCIES

Click on a logo below for more information on the state and territory schemes: