4 Facts About Long Service Leave

Did you know Australia is one of the only countries in the world that offers long service leave? Long service leave is extra paid leave you receive after working at one business for a long period of time. If you’re a veteran at your salon, these are the facts you need to know!

1. It varies state by state.

This is the formal breakdown of entitlements by state:

• ACT: 6.066 weeks after each period of 7 years continuous service.
• NSW: 8.66 weeks after 10 years continuous service. 4.33 weeks for each subsequent 5 years of continuous service.
• NT: 13 weeks after each period of 10 years continuous service.
• QLD: 8.6667 weeks after each period of 10 years continuous service.
• SA: 13 weeks after each period of 10 years continuous service.
• TAS: 8.6667 weeks after 10 years of continuous service. 4.33 weeks for each subsequent 5 years of continuous service
• VIC: Accrues at a rate of one week for each 60 weeks of continuous employment (approximately 0.866 weeks per year), and can be taken any time after 7 years continuous service.
• WA: 8.6667 weeks after each period of 10 years continuous service.

2. Casual workers are included.

If you’re a casual worker in the industry, you’re also eligible for long service leave – as long as you’ve been working at the same salon for 7-10 years (depending on your state). This also includes workers who converted to casual part-way through their career, or vice versa.

3. You might be eligible if your employment ends early.

You may be eligible for a pro-rata payout of long service leave when your employment ends if you have completed the following amounts of service:

• ACT: After 5 years
• NSW: After 5 years
• NT: After 7 years
• QLD: After 7 years
• SA: After 7 years
• TAS: After 7 years
• VIC: After 7 years
• WA: After 7 years.

In some states, the reason for your resignation or dismissal affects your pro-rata payout. Reach out to HSA if you need more specific information.

4. If your salon is sold, you’re still eligible.

If your salon is sold, then all accrued entitlements, like annual leave, persona/carer’s leave and long service leave, are normally transferred to the new owner. Your years of work with the previous owner must be included when your long service is calculated. So, for example, if your boss in NSW sold your salon 6 years after you started, then in 4 years’ time, your new boss is required to give you your full long service leave entitlements.

If you think you’re eligible for long service leave , HSA can help! Our legal and industrial experts can review your case and work out what you’re entitled to, and work with you and your employer to make sure you’re getting it. It’s one of the many benefits to being an HSA member. Sign up today with the form below to get started!