Long Service Leave Calculator Australia
Calculate long service leave entitlement, pro-rata payout and eligibility date across all 8 Australian states and territories. Built to the current state LSL legislation — NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT, NT and TAS.
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 and sick leave, which are set by the federal Fair Work Act 2009, long service leave is governed by state and territory legislation. This means the qualifying period, the accrual rate, the pro-rata rules and the conditions for taking leave all vary depending on where you work.
The basic formula is the same in every jurisdiction:
Across most of Australia (NSW, QLD, WA, TAS and VIC), the accrual rate works out to approximately 0.8667 weeks of LSL for every year of service — which equates to 8.6667 weeks (or 2 months) after 10 years. South Australia and the Northern Territory are more generous at 1.3 weeks per year (13 weeks at 10 years). The ACT has the shortest qualifying period at just 7 years.
Long service leave entitlement by state & territory
The table below summarises the qualifying period, entitlement and pro-rata rules in each Australian state and territory. All figures are based on the current LSL Act in force in each jurisdiction as of 2026.
| State / Territory | Qualifying period | Entitlement at qualifying | Pro-rata after | Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) | 10 years | 8.6667 weeks (2 months) | 5 years | LSL Act 1955 (NSW) |
| Victoria (VIC) | 7 years | 6.0667 weeks (≈ 1 wk per 60 wks service) | 7 years | LSL Act 2018 (Vic) |
| Queensland (QLD) | 10 years | 8.6667 weeks | 7 years | Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) |
| Western Australia (WA) | 10 years | 8.6667 weeks | 7 years | LSL Act 1958 (WA) |
| South Australia (SA) | 10 years | 13 weeks | 7 years | LSL Act 1987 (SA) |
| Tasmania (TAS) | 10 years | 8.6667 weeks | 7 years | LSL Act 1976 (Tas) |
| ACT | 7 years | 6.0667 weeks (1.4 months) | 7 years | LSL Act 1976 (ACT) |
| Northern Territory (NT) | 10 years | 13 weeks | 7 years | LSL Act 1981 (NT) |
NSW long service leave calculator rules
Under the NSW Long Service Leave Act 1955, full-time, part-time and casual employees in New South Wales are entitled to 8.6667 weeks (2 months) of paid LSL after 10 years of continuous service with the same employer, plus an additional 4.3333 weeks (1 month) for every further 5 years. The NSW LSL Act defines a “month” as 4⅓ weeks (4.3333 recurring). NSW also has the most generous pro-rata provision in Australia: pro-rata LSL is payable after just 5 years if employment ends for any reason other than serious and wilful misconduct — including resignation due to illness, incapacity or “domestic or other pressing necessity”.
Victoria long service leave calculator rules
The Victorian Long Service Leave Act 2018 uses a continuous accrual model rather than a lump-sum entitlement: employees accrue 1 week of LSL for every 60 weeks of continuous employment, which works out to approximately 0.8667 weeks per year. The entitlement becomes payable after 7 years, at which point an employee has accumulated roughly 6.07 weeks. At 10 years the entitlement is approximately 8.67 weeks — the same headline figure as NSW. Pro-rata LSL is payable on termination at 7 years for any reason except serious misconduct.
Queensland long service leave calculator rules
In Queensland, under the Industrial Relations Act 2016, employees are entitled to 8.6667 weeks of LSL after 10 years of continuous service, plus 4.3333 weeks for every additional 5 years. Pro-rata LSL is available after 7 years of service if employment ends due to death, illness, incapacity, domestic or other pressing necessity, or termination by the employer for any reason other than the employee’s conduct, capacity or performance. Queensland has expanding portable LSL schemes covering building & construction, contract cleaning, and community services through QLeave.
WA long service leave calculator rules
Under the WA Long Service Leave Act 1958, employees are entitled to 8.6667 weeks of LSL after 10 years of continuous service with the same employer, plus 4.3333 weeks per additional 5 years. Pro-rata LSL is generally available after 7 years of continuous service when employment ends. Some industries — including construction, contract cleaning and the gold and coal mining sectors — operate under separate portable LSL schemes through MyLeave.
SA long service leave calculator rules
South Australia is one of the most generous LSL jurisdictions: under the SA Long Service Leave Act 1987, employees are entitled to 13 weeks of paid LSL after 10 years of continuous service, plus 1.3 weeks for every additional year of service. Pro-rata LSL is available after 7 years of continuous service on termination of employment (other than serious misconduct).
ACT long service leave calculator rules
Under the ACT Long Service Leave Act 1976, employees are entitled to 6.0667 weeks (1.4 months) of LSL after just 7 years of continuous service — the shortest qualifying period of any Australian jurisdiction. An additional 1 month (4.3333 weeks) accrues for each additional 5 years of service. The ACT also operates the most expansive portable LSL scheme framework in Australia, covering construction, cleaning, community services, security and (from 1 July 2026) hairdressing, beauty, food and accommodation services.
NT and TAS long service leave
The Northern Territory Long Service Leave Act 1981 entitles employees to 13 weeks of LSL after 10 years of continuous service, plus 6.5 weeks for every additional 5 years. Tasmania’s Long Service Leave Act 1976 is broadly similar to NSW: 8.6667 weeks after 10 years, plus 4.3333 weeks for every additional 5 years. Both jurisdictions allow pro-rata LSL on termination for qualifying reasons.
Pro-rata long service leave on termination
Pro-rata LSL is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of Australian employment law. The general principle is that an employee who hasn’t yet reached the full qualifying period may still be entitled to a proportionate LSL payment on termination — but the rules around when this applies vary significantly by state.
- NSW (5 years) — pro-rata is payable on termination for any reason other than serious and wilful misconduct; resignation due to illness, incapacity or domestic/pressing necessity also qualifies.
- VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT (7 years) — pro-rata payable on termination, with specific conditions per state legislation. Most allow general resignation after 7 years.
- QLD (7 years) — pro-rata payable on death, illness, incapacity, domestic necessity, or employer-initiated termination (other than misconduct).
How tax on long service leave is calculated
Tax treatment of LSL depends on when the leave was accrued and why it’s being paid. The Australian Taxation Office applies different concessional rates to LSL based on three historical accrual periods:
| Accrual period | Concessional 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 |
| From 18 August 1993 | Taxed at marginal rates (or concessional on genuine redundancy / invalidity / early retirement under ATO Schedule 7) |
LSL taken during employment is treated as ordinary income and taxed at marginal rates. LSL paid out on termination may receive concessional tax treatment depending on the reason for termination, particularly for genuine redundancy or invalidity. Most LSL accrued by employees today (post-1993) is taxed at marginal rates unless paid on redundancy.
Common mistakes when calculating long service leave
- Using the wrong state’s rules. An employee who works in Victoria but whose employer is headquartered in Sydney is still covered by the Victorian LSL Act 2018. The state where the work is performed determines which Act applies.
- Treating breaks in service incorrectly. Most paid leave (annual leave, sick leave, paid parental leave) does not break continuous service. Most unpaid leave doesn’t break service but doesn’t count toward accrual either.
- Including overtime in the pay rate. LSL is paid at the ordinary rate at the time of taking leave — overtime is excluded. Regular allowances and loadings are typically included.
- Ignoring portable LSL schemes. Employees in construction, cleaning, community services and security may have entitlements that move between employers — separate from individual employer obligations.
- Forgetting pro-rata for casuals. Casual employees in all eight jurisdictions are entitled to LSL where their service has been regular and systematic.
- Calculating from the wrong start date. Continuous service includes time with a previous employer where the business was transferred (per the Fair Work Act). Don’t restart the clock unless there was a genuine break.
Who this long service leave calculator is for
This tool produces a clean, jurisdiction-aware LSL estimate suitable for:
- Employees in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT, NT and TAS who want to check their entitlement before taking leave or resigning.
- HR and payroll teams calculating LSL accrual liabilities for end-of-year reporting and STP reconciliation.
- Bookkeepers and accountants running LSL provision calculations for employer balance sheets.
- Employees considering redundancy or resignation who need to model the LSL component of a final payment.
- Long-serving employees approaching the qualifying period who want to forecast when their entitlement becomes payable.
This long service leave calculator applies the entitlement rules in the relevant state or territory LSL Act. Portable LSL schemes, modern awards, enterprise agreements or individual contracts may provide better entitlements — always confirm against your specific industry instrument. For NSW, the official NSW Government LSL guide provides additional detail.
Long service leave FAQs
Plain-English answers covering LSL rules in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA, ACT, NT and Tasmania — including pro-rata, payouts and tax.
How is long service leave calculated in Australia?
LSL is calculated using: years of continuous service × the accrual rate set by your state’s LSL Act × your ordinary weekly pay. In NSW, QLD, WA, TAS and VIC the accrual rate is approximately 0.8667 weeks per year (equivalent to 8.6667 weeks at 10 years). South Australia and the Northern Territory accrue at 1.3 weeks per year (13 weeks at 10 years). The ACT accrues at 0.8667 weeks per year and is payable after 7 years.
How much long service leave do you get in NSW?
Under the NSW Long Service Leave Act 1955, employees are entitled to 8.6667 weeks (2 months) of paid LSL after 10 years of continuous service with the same employer, plus an additional 4.3333 weeks (1 month) for every further 5 years. Pro-rata LSL is available after just 5 years if employment ends for any reason other than serious and wilful misconduct — including resignation due to illness, incapacity or domestic/pressing necessity.
What is the long service leave entitlement in Victoria?
Under the Victorian Long Service Leave Act 2018, employees accrue 1 week of LSL for every 60 weeks of continuous employment (approximately 0.8667 weeks per year). The entitlement becomes payable after 7 years of continuous employment, which equates to roughly 6.07 weeks at that point. At 10 years of service the entitlement is approximately 8.67 weeks.
How is long service leave calculated in Queensland?
In Queensland, under the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), employees are entitled to 8.6667 weeks of LSL after 10 years of continuous service, plus 4.3333 weeks for every further 5 years. Pro-rata LSL is available after 7 years if employment ends due to death, illness, incapacity, domestic/pressing necessity, or termination by the employer for any reason other than misconduct or capacity.
What is the long service leave entitlement in WA?
Under the WA Long Service Leave Act 1958, employees are entitled to 8.6667 weeks of LSL after 10 years of continuous service, plus 4.3333 weeks for every additional 5 years. Pro-rata LSL is generally available after 7 years of continuous service when employment ends. Some industries operate under separate portable LSL schemes through MyLeave.
How much long service leave do you get in South Australia?
Under the SA Long Service Leave Act 1987, employees are entitled to 13 weeks of LSL after 10 years of continuous service, plus 1.3 weeks for every additional year of service. Pro-rata LSL is available after 7 years of continuous service on termination of employment. SA is one of the more generous LSL jurisdictions in Australia.
How is long service leave calculated in the ACT?
Under the ACT Long Service Leave Act 1976, employees are entitled to 6.0667 weeks (1.4 months) of LSL after 7 years of continuous service, plus 1 month (4.3333 weeks) for each additional 5 years. The ACT has the shortest qualifying period of any state or territory and uses a continuous accrual rate of approximately 0.8667 weeks per year.
Is long service leave paid out on termination in Australia?
Yes — any accrued but untaken LSL must be paid out on termination of employment, including resignation, dismissal or redundancy. Pro-rata LSL is also payable on termination in most states if the employee has completed the minimum qualifying period (5 years in NSW; 7 years in VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT, NT and TAS) and the reason for termination meets the legislative requirements.
How is tax on long service leave payout calculated?
Tax on LSL depends on when it was accrued and the reason for the payout. Leave accrued before 16 August 1978 is taxed at a concessional rate of approximately 5% (with the remainder included in assessable income). Leave accrued between 16 August 1978 and 17 August 1993 may receive concessional ATO rates if paid on termination. Leave accrued after 17 August 1993 is generally taxed at the employee’s marginal tax rate, unless paid on genuine redundancy or invalidity where concessional rates may apply per ATO Schedule 7.
Are casual employees entitled to long service leave?
Yes — in most Australian states and territories, casual employees are entitled to LSL if their service has been regular and systematic. NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT, NT and TAS all include casuals in their LSL Acts. The entitlement is typically calculated based on the average hours worked over the period of continuous service, and the casual loading is usually included in the ordinary rate of pay for LSL purposes.