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.
State calculators: NSW · VIC · QLD · WA · SA · TAS · ACT · NT
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) | 5 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 has the earliest pro-rata threshold (5 years, the same as the ACT), but it doesn't apply to every departure. Between 5 and 10 years, pro-rata leave is paid only if your employer ends your employment (other than for serious and wilful misconduct) or you resign because of illness, incapacity or a domestic or other pressing necessity. An ordinary resignation before 10 years doesn't qualify. 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 covered where their service is continuous.
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. Once you reach 7 years, unused leave must be paid out when employment ends for any reason, including resignation and dismissal. Nothing is payable before 7 years. 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. Between 7 and 10 years, pro-rata is paid only if you resign because of illness or a domestic or other pressing necessity, are dismissed because of illness, are dismissed for a reason other than your conduct, capacity or performance (such as redundancy), are unfairly dismissed, or on death. 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. Between 7 and 10 years, pro-rata is paid if you resign, are made redundant, die, or are dismissed for any reason other than serious misconduct. 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. Leave accrues at 1.3 weeks for each completed year of service. Between 7 and 10 years, pro-rata is paid when employment ends, including resignation, unless you are dismissed for serious and wilful misconduct or resign without giving the required notice.
Long service leave calculator — ACT
ACT Long Service Leave
ACT Long Service Leave Act 1976The ACT's qualifying period is 7 years, the same as Victoria. Employees accrue 1/5 of a month for each year of service: 6.0667 weeks (1.4 months) at 7 years. Between 5 and 7 years, pro-rata is paid if your employer ends your employment (other than for serious and wilful misconduct), you resign because of illness, incapacity or a domestic or other pressing necessity, you retire at the minimum retiring age, or on death. Portable schemes run by ACT Leave cover construction, cleaning, community and security work.
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). Only completed years count, at 1.3 weeks each. After 10 years, unused leave is paid out when you resign. Between 7 and 10 years, pro-rata is paid only on reaching retirement age, if your employer ends your employment other than for serious misconduct (such as redundancy), or if you resign because of illness, incapacity or a domestic or other pressing necessity.
Long service leave calculator — TAS (Tasmania)
TAS Long Service Leave
Tasmanian Long Service Leave Act 1976Tasmania: 8.6667 weeks after 10 years of continuous service, plus 4.3333 weeks for each further 5 years. Between 7 and 10 years, pro-rata is paid on reaching retirement age, on death, or if your employer ends your employment for any reason other than serious and wilful misconduct. It may also be paid if you leave because of illness, incapacity or a domestic or other pressing necessity. An ordinary resignation doesn't qualify.
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 and ACT (5 years): pro-rata if your employer ends your employment (other than for serious misconduct) or you leave because of illness, incapacity or a pressing necessity. An ordinary resignation doesn't qualify.
- VIC (7 years): once you reach 7 years, unused leave is paid out whatever the reason employment ends, including resignation. Nothing is payable before 7 years.
- WA and SA (7 years): pro-rata is paid even if you simply resign, unless you are dismissed for serious misconduct.
- QLD, TAS and NT (7 years): pro-rata only for specific reasons, such as redundancy, illness or a pressing necessity. An ordinary resignation before 10 years doesn't qualify.
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 rules in each state and territory LSL Act, checked against official sources on 18 September 2026. Portable LSL schemes, enterprise agreements or individual contracts may provide better entitlements, so always confirm against your specific instrument. Official sources: NSW Government, Business Victoria, Business Queensland, WA Government, SafeWork SA, WorkSafe Tasmania, ACT Long Service Leave Act 1976 and NT Government.
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: weeks of continuous employment ÷ 60 × ordinary weekly pay (about 0.8667 weeks a year). You can take leave after 7 years (about 6.07 weeks), and if employment ends after 7 years for any reason, unused leave must be paid out. At 10 years the entitlement is about 8.67 weeks.
How do I calculate long service leave in NSW?
Under the NSW Long Service Leave Act 1955: years of service × 0.8667 × ordinary weekly pay. The full 8.6667 weeks (2 months) is payable after 10 years, plus 4.3333 weeks for every further 5 years. Between 5 and 10 years, pro-rata is paid only if your employer ends your employment (other than for serious and wilful misconduct) or you resign because of illness, incapacity or a domestic or other pressing necessity.
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 can be paid from 5 years if your employer ends your employment or you leave because of illness or a pressing necessity. Casual employees are covered where their service is continuous.
What is the long service leave entitlement in Victoria?
About 6.07 weeks at 7 years and 8.67 weeks at 10 years, accruing at 1 week for every 60 weeks of continuous employment under the Long Service Leave Act 2018. Once you pass 7 years, unused leave is paid out when employment ends for any reason.
How is long service leave calculated in Queensland?
Under Queensland's Industrial Relations Act 2016: 8.6667 weeks after 10 years (13 weeks at 15 years). Between 7 and 10 years, pro-rata is paid only if you resign because of illness or a domestic or other pressing necessity, are dismissed because of illness, are dismissed for a reason other than your conduct, capacity or performance (such as redundancy), are unfairly dismissed, or on death. After 10 years it is paid out for any reason.
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. Between 7 and 10 years, pro-rata is paid if you resign, are made redundant, die, or are dismissed for any reason other than serious misconduct.
How much long service leave do you get in South Australia?
13 weeks after 10 years under the SA Long Service Leave Act 1987, accruing at 1.3 weeks for each completed year. Between 7 and 10 years, pro-rata is paid when employment ends, including resignation, unless you are dismissed for serious and wilful misconduct or resign without giving the required notice.
How is long service leave calculated in the ACT?
Under the ACT Long Service Leave Act 1976, leave accrues at 1/5 of a month for each year of service: 6.0667 weeks (1.4 months) after 7 years. Pro-rata can be paid from 5 years if your employer ends your employment (other than for serious misconduct), you resign because of illness or a pressing necessity, or you retire. Portable schemes through ACT Leave cover construction, cleaning, community and security work.
Is long service leave paid out on termination in Australia?
Usually, once you pass your state's qualifying period (7 years in VIC and the ACT, 10 years elsewhere), unused leave is paid out whatever the reason employment ends, although serious misconduct may affect payment in some states. Before that, pro-rata leave is paid from 5 years (NSW, ACT) or 7 years (other states), and only for the reasons each state allows. In NSW, QLD, TAS, NT and the ACT an ordinary resignation doesn't qualify for pro-rata.
Are casual employees entitled to long service leave?
Yes. All 8 jurisdictions cover casual employees whose service is continuous. The entitlement is usually based on average hours worked over a set period (for example the last 12 months in the ACT or the last 3 years in SA). Whether casual loading counts towards the rate depends on the state.