Long Service Leave Calculator Australia
Calculate long service leave entitlement, pro-rata payout and eligibility for NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT, NT and TAS. Select your state — each has its own qualifying period, accrual rate and pro-rata rules under state legislation.
Long service leave calculator
Service Details
Pay Details
Fill in the highlighted fields below — results appear instantly.
- State or territory
- Employment start date
- Annual salary
Your LSL Summary
Live—
Estimated LSL Payout
Gross estimate — PAYG tax applies. See LSL tax section below.
How long service leave is calculated
LSL is set by state legislation, not the federal Fair Work Act — each jurisdiction has its own qualifying period and accrual rate.
Years of continuous service
The period between your employment start date and end date (or today).
end_date − start_date
Entitlement in weeks
Years of service multiplied by the state-specific accrual rate.
years × accrual_per_year
Payout value
LSL weeks multiplied by your ordinary weekly pay (excludes overtime).
weeks × ordinary_weekly_pay
How long service leave is calculated in Australia
Long service leave (LSL) is a uniquely Australian entitlement that rewards employees for sustained service with a single employer. Unlike annual leave — which is set by the federal Fair Work Act 2009 and is identical across every state — long service leave is governed by individual state and territory legislation. The qualifying period, accrual rate, pro-rata threshold and conditions for taking leave all differ by where you work.
The universal reference table and then individual state guides below cover NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT, NT and TAS — click directly to the state you need.
Jump to: NSW · VIC · QLD · WA · SA · ACT · NT · TAS
Long service leave entitlement by state — quick reference
| State / Territory | Qualifying period | Entitlement | Pro-rata after | Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 10 years | 8.6667 weeks (2 months) | 5 years | LSL Act 1955 |
| VIC | 7 years | 6.0667 weeks (1 wk/60 wks) | 7 years | LSL Act 2018 |
| QLD | 10 years | 8.6667 weeks | 7 years | IR Act 2016 |
| WA | 10 years | 8.6667 weeks | 7 years | LSL Act 1958 |
| SA | 10 years | 13 weeks | 7 years | LSL Act 1987 |
| TAS | 10 years | 8.6667 weeks | 7 years | LSL Act 1976 |
| ACT | 7 years | 6.0667 weeks (1.4 months) | 7 years | LSL Act 1976 |
| NT | 10 years | 13 weeks | 7 years | LSL Act 1981 |
Long service leave calculator — NSW (New South Wales)
NSW Long Service Leave
NSW Long Service Leave Act 1955NSW is the most generous pro-rata jurisdiction in Australia — entitlement begins after just 5 years for any reason except serious and wilful misconduct. Full entitlement of 8.6667 weeks (2 months) is payable after 10 years, plus 4.3333 weeks for every further 5 years. Casual employees are included where service is regular and systematic.
To calculate long service leave in NSW: years of service × 0.8667 × ordinary weekly pay. An employee with 10 years and a $1,500/week ordinary rate receives 8.6667 × $1,500 = $13,000.05 gross. Select NSW in the calculator above for your exact pro-rata figure.
Long service leave calculator — VIC (Victoria)
Victorian Long Service Leave
Victorian Long Service Leave Act 2018Victoria's 2018 Act uses a continuous accrual model — 1 week of LSL accrues for every 60 weeks (≈0.8667 weeks per year). The entitlement becomes payable after 7 years, at which point approximately 6.07 weeks has accrued. Pro-rata LSL is payable on termination at 7 years for any reason except serious misconduct. Victoria has the shortest qualifying period of any mainland state.
The Victorian long service leave calculation: years of service × (52 ÷ 60) × ordinary weekly pay. At 7 years: 7 × 0.8667 = 6.07 weeks. At 10 years: 10 × 0.8667 = 8.67 weeks. Select VIC above for your exact entitlement.
Long service leave calculator — QLD (Queensland)
Queensland Long Service Leave
Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld)Queensland entitles employees to 8.6667 weeks after 10 years, plus 4.3333 weeks per additional 5 years. Pro-rata is available after 7 years on death, illness, incapacity, domestic necessity, or employer-initiated termination other than misconduct. General resignation before 10 years typically does not trigger pro-rata in QLD. QLeave operates portable LSL schemes for building, cleaning and community services.
Long service leave calculator — WA (Western Australia)
WA Long Service Leave
WA Long Service Leave Act 1958Western Australia: 8.6667 weeks after 10 years of continuous service, plus 4.3333 weeks per additional 5 years. Pro-rata is generally available after 7 years when employment ends. Construction, contract cleaning and gold/coal mining may operate under separate portable LSL schemes through MyLeave.
Long service leave calculator — SA (South Australia)
SA Long Service Leave
SA Long Service Leave Act 1987South Australia is the most generous LSL jurisdiction for the accrual rate: 13 weeks after 10 years (1.3 weeks per year), compared to 8.67 weeks in most other states. After qualifying, an additional 1.3 weeks accrues per year of further service. Pro-rata is available after 7 years on termination other than serious misconduct.
Long service leave calculator — ACT
ACT Long Service Leave
ACT Long Service Leave Act 1976The ACT has the shortest qualifying period of any jurisdiction — 7 years, the same as Victoria. Employees are entitled to 6.0667 weeks (1.4 months) after 7 years, plus 1 month (4.3333 weeks) per additional 5 years. The ACT also has the broadest portable LSL scheme coverage in Australia, extending from 1 July 2026 to hairdressing, beauty, food and accommodation services.
Long service leave calculator — NT (Northern Territory)
NT Long Service Leave
NT Long Service Leave Act 1981The Northern Territory matches South Australia's generous 13-week entitlement after 10 years (1.3 weeks per year accrual). An additional 6.5 weeks accrues for every further 5 years of service. Pro-rata LSL is generally available after 7 years on termination for qualifying reasons.
Long service leave calculator — TAS (Tasmania)
TAS Long Service Leave
Tasmanian Long Service Leave Act 1976Tasmania broadly mirrors the NSW model: 8.6667 weeks after 10 years of continuous service, plus 4.3333 weeks per additional 5 years. Pro-rata is available after 7 years on termination for qualifying reasons including redundancy, illness, incapacity or domestic necessity.
Pro-rata long service leave on termination
Pro-rata LSL is one of the most commonly misunderstood entitlements in Australia. The key principle: an employee who hasn't reached the full qualifying period may still receive a proportionate LSL payment when employment ends — but the rules differ significantly by state.
- NSW (5 years): Pro-rata payable on termination for any reason other than serious misconduct — the most generous threshold in Australia.
- VIC, ACT (7 years): Pro-rata payable on termination for any reason except serious misconduct.
- QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT (7 years): Pro-rata on specific qualifying reasons — illness, redundancy, employer-initiated termination. General resignation before full qualifying period usually does not trigger pro-rata.
If you're leaving a job and wondering whether your LSL payout is correct, see the full guide on what happens to leave entitlements when you resign. For the tax treatment of the payout, use the Annual Leave Payout Tax Calculator.
Related calculator Calculate tax on your LSL payout — ATO Schedule 7 rates for redundancy and resignation →How tax on long service leave is calculated
Tax treatment of LSL depends on when it was accrued and the reason for payment. The ATO applies different concessional rates based on three accrual periods:
| Accrual period | Tax treatment |
|---|---|
| Before 16 August 1978 | 5% included in assessable income (95% tax-free) |
| 16 Aug 1978 – 17 Aug 1993 | Concessional rates apply if paid on termination |
| After 17 August 1993 | Taxed at marginal rates (concessional on genuine redundancy per ATO Schedule 7) |
For most employees today (post-1993 accrual), LSL paid during employment is taxed as ordinary income. LSL paid on termination may receive concessional treatment for genuine redundancy or invalidity. This is the same Schedule 7 framework that applies to annual leave payouts — see how annual leave and long service leave interact at termination.
Common mistakes when calculating long service leave
- Using the wrong state's rules. The state where you perform the work determines which LSL Act applies — not where your employer is headquartered.
- Treating breaks in service incorrectly. Paid leave (annual, sick, parental) does not break continuity. Unpaid leave generally doesn't break continuity but doesn't count toward accrual.
- Including overtime in the pay rate. LSL is paid at your ordinary rate — overtime is excluded. Regular allowances are typically included.
- Missing portable LSL schemes. Building, cleaning, community services and security workers may carry entitlements between employers — separate from individual employer obligations.
- Forgetting casual employees. Regular and systematic casuals are entitled to LSL in all 8 jurisdictions.
This long service leave calculator applies the entitlement rules in the relevant state or territory LSL Act. Portable LSL schemes, enterprise agreements or individual contracts may provide better entitlements — always confirm against your specific instrument. For NSW detail, the NSW Government LSL guide is authoritative.
Long service leave FAQs
Plain-English answers covering LSL rules in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT, NT and TAS — including pro-rata, payouts and tax.
How is long service leave calculated in Australia?
LSL = years of continuous service × state accrual rate × ordinary weekly pay. In NSW, QLD, WA, TAS and VIC the accrual rate is 0.8667 weeks per year (8.6667 weeks at 10 years). SA and NT accrue at 1.3 weeks per year (13 weeks at 10 years). The ACT accrues at 0.8667 weeks per year, payable after 7 years. Select your state in the calculator above for your exact figure.
How do I calculate long service leave in Victoria?
Under Victoria's Long Service Leave Act 2018: years × 0.8667 × ordinary weekly pay. The entitlement accrues at 1 week per 60 weeks of continuous employment and becomes payable after 7 years (approximately 6.07 weeks at that point). Pro-rata is available after 7 years for any reason except serious misconduct. At 10 years, the Victorian entitlement is approximately 8.67 weeks.
How do I calculate long service leave in NSW?
Under the NSW Long Service Leave Act 1955: years × 0.8667 × ordinary weekly pay. Full entitlement of 8.6667 weeks (2 months) is payable after 10 years. NSW is unique in offering pro-rata after just 5 years — for any reason other than serious misconduct. Additional entitlements of 4.3333 weeks accrue for every further 5 years beyond 10.
How much long service leave do you get in NSW?
8.6667 weeks (2 months) after 10 years of continuous service, plus 4.3333 weeks (1 month) for every further 5 years. Pro-rata is available after 5 years — the most generous pro-rata threshold in Australia. NSW also includes casual employees where service is regular and systematic.
What is the long service leave entitlement in Victoria?
Approximately 6.07 weeks at 7 years and 8.67 weeks at 10 years, using the Victorian Long Service Leave Act 2018's 1-week-per-60-weeks continuous accrual model. The entitlement is payable after 7 years for any reason except serious misconduct. Victoria has the shortest qualifying period of any mainland state.
How is long service leave calculated in Queensland?
Under Queensland's Industrial Relations Act 2016: 8.6667 weeks after 10 years, plus 4.3333 weeks per additional 5 years. Pro-rata is available after 7 years on death, illness, incapacity, domestic necessity, or employer-initiated termination (not misconduct). General resignation before 10 years typically doesn't trigger pro-rata in QLD.
What is the long service leave entitlement in WA?
8.6667 weeks after 10 years under the WA Long Service Leave Act 1958, plus 4.3333 weeks per additional 5 years. Pro-rata is generally available after 7 years on termination. Some industries — construction, contract cleaning, gold and coal mining — operate under separate portable LSL schemes through MyLeave.
How much long service leave do you get in South Australia?
13 weeks after 10 years under the SA Long Service Leave Act 1987, with 1.3 weeks accruing per year of further service. SA is the most generous accrual rate in Australia. Pro-rata LSL is available after 7 years on termination other than serious misconduct.
How is long service leave calculated in the ACT?
6.0667 weeks (1.4 months) after 7 years under the ACT Long Service Leave Act 1976, plus 4.3333 weeks per additional 5 years. The ACT has the shortest qualifying period of any jurisdiction. The ACT also operates Australia's broadest portable LSL scheme, covering construction, cleaning, community services, security and (from July 2026) hairdressing, beauty, food and accommodation.
Is long service leave paid out on termination in Australia?
Yes — accrued LSL must be paid out on termination, including resignation, dismissal or redundancy. Pro-rata LSL is also payable on termination once the qualifying threshold is reached (5 years in NSW; 7 years in VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT, NT and TAS) and the reason for termination meets the legislative requirements.
Are casual employees entitled to long service leave?
Yes — all 8 jurisdictions include casual employees where service has been regular and systematic. The entitlement is typically calculated on average hours worked over the period of continuous service. The casual loading is usually included in the ordinary rate for LSL purposes.