27 FebNavigating long service leave in Victoria
Do you have dedicated team members who have been in your employment for seven years or more? It’s time to delve into the intricacies of long service leave in Victoria to ensure you’re meeting your obligations under the Long Service Leave Act 2018.
Seven years and beyond: eligibility unveiled
After seven years of continuous service, employees in Victoria unlock the door to long service leave entitlements as per the provisions of the Long Service Leave Act 2018.
Accrual rate: crunching the numbers
Long service leave accrues at a pace of one week for every 60 weeks of continuous service. For example, an employee with eight years of service would find themselves with approximately 6.95 weeks of accrued long service leave.
How long service leave is paid: options explored
- Leave utilisation: employees can opt to take a rejuvenating break of not less than one day at a time, utilising their accrued long service leave.
- Paid on termination of employment: in the event of employment termination, employees can request payment for any accrued but unused long service leave.
Requesting leave: an employee’s right to take long service leave
Employees hold the initiative to request long service leave at their discretion. Employers are generally obligated to grant such requests, unless they can show reasonable business grounds for refusal.
Long service leave at half pay
Employees can request long service leave at half pay, allowing for an extended leave period without reducing their weekly hours. It’s important to note that when this occurs leave entitlements continue to accrue as usual on the employees regular rostered hours for twice the duration.
Calculating entitlements
For precise calculations, employers can utilise ELAA’s online long service leave calculator. You will need to enter your employee’s work history, previous long service leave taken, and approved periods of unpaid leave, such as parental leave. To request a long service leave calculation please CLICK HERE.
Portable long service leave scheme: innovations in benefit accumulation
For those in community services, including early childhood education, the Portable Long Service Authority (PLSA) has a portable long service benefits scheme. Operational since January 2020, this initiative allows eligible employees to accumulate entitlements based on their sector tenure.
Early years employees are entitled to be registered with the PLSA. Employers bear the responsibility of registration and required payments. Importantly, when employees take long service leave, employers can seek reimbursement from the PLSA for the held portion of funds.
For a detailed understanding of the Portable Long Service Leave Scheme, employers can access resources provided by the Victorian Government: Information for Employers – Portable Long Service Leave | Victorian Government. This will help you stay informed and provide your team with the benefits they are entitled to.
