QLD long service leave: 10-year entitlements, pro-rata rules & calculator 2026
A simple, practical guide for employees and small business owners
Updated 23 Jan 2026 • Queensland rules (plus portable schemes & key exceptions)
Written by
Sean Wyse
This guide provides general information about long service leave in Queensland as at the date of publication, drawing on official sources like Business Queensland, the Fair Work Ombudsman, and QLeave.
It is not legal, financial, payroll, or tax advice and shouldn't be relied on as a substitute for advice tailored to your situation (for example, if you're covered by a pre‑modern award, an enterprise agreement, or a portable scheme, or if service was performed across multiple states).
No liability: RosterElf Pty Ltd, its directors, employees, and authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss, damage, cost, or expense (whether direct, indirect, consequential, or otherwise) arising from or in connection with reliance on the information in this guide.
If you believe you haven't been paid correctly, Business Queensland points to making a long service leave claim and provides an Industrial Relations Infoline number.
Quick summary for time‑poor readers
If you only read one section, read this:
- In Queensland, employees can generally take 8.6667 weeks of paid long service leave after 10 years' continuous service with the same employer.
- After that first 10 years, employees are entitled to an additional 4.3333 weeks once they complete a further 5 years (so 13 weeks total after 15 years).
- For service beyond 15 years, further leave can be accessed as it accrues (no further "qualifying period").
- If employment ends between 7 and 10 years, a pro‑rata payment may be payable only in specific situations (not in every resignation).
- On termination after 10+ years, payment of accrued long service leave is automatic (not subject to the "7–10 year criteria").
- Long service leave is generally paid at the employee's ordinary rate at the time leave is taken (excluding overtime).
- If you're in a portable scheme industry (building & construction, contract cleaning, community services), your long service leave may be tracked through QLeave instead of "one employer for 10 years."
7 years
Pro-rata payment on termination in limited circumstances only (not automatic)
10 years
Standard entitlement of 8.6667 weeks paid long service leave
15 years
Additional 4.3333 weeks (13 weeks total) after 15 years
3 months
Casual break limit - gaps over 3 months can end continuous service
QLeave
Portable schemes for building, cleaning & community services industries
Where your long service leave entitlement comes from
This is the #1 thing people get wrong
Most employees' long service leave entitlements come from state or territory long service leave laws. But there are important exceptions.
Before calculating anything, confirm whether your situation is:
- QLD "standard" long service leave (Industrial Relations Act rules),
- a pre‑modern award/enterprise agreement entitlement, or
- a portable scheme (QLeave).
Important exceptions
Federal pre‑modern awards (before 1 Jan 2010)
If a federal pre‑modern award had long service leave terms that applied to your employer/role, those terms can be the source of entitlement instead of state law.
Enterprise agreements
Some enterprise agreements can include long service leave terms (and there are rules about how agreements and state laws interact).
Portable long service leave schemes
Certain industries have portable schemes (where the entitlement can follow the worker across employers in the same industry).
Who this guide covers (and who it might not)
Business Queensland notes the Industrial Relations Act 2016 provides long service leave entitlements for most employees in Queensland, including casual, regular part‑time and seasonal employees (subject to conditions).
It also notes that employers and employees (except state and local government) are generally covered by the national industrial relations system, and where no entitlement exists under the federal system, an employee may have an entitlement under Queensland legislation.
Common situations where the "standard QLD rules" might not apply cleanly
- You're covered by a pre‑modern award long service leave clause.
- You're covered by an enterprise agreement with long service leave terms.
- You work in a portable scheme industry (QLeave).
- You're a Queensland Government employee or in a public sector instrument (see the public sector note below).
QLD long service leave entitlement: how much you get
Business Queensland summarises Queensland entitlement like this. For comparison with other states, see our guides on NSW long service leave and Victoria long service leave:
| Continuous service | Entitlement (QLD standard rules) |
|---|---|
| Less than 7 years | No entitlement |
| 7 but less than 10 years | Possible pro‑rata payment on termination (only in limited cases) |
| 10 years | 8.6667 weeks |
| After a further 5 years (15 years total) | + 4.3333 weeks (total 13 weeks) |
| More than 15 years | Leave can be accessed as it accrues |
Important nuance
This table includes the pro‑rata payment on termination concept between 7–10 years — it does not mean everyone can take long service leave at 7 years.
Are you entitled after 7 years in QLD?
This is one of the most searched questions about QLD long service leave ("long service leave QLD after 7 years"), and it's where many articles oversimplify.
For most workers under the standard QLD rules
- Less than 7 years: no entitlement.
- Between 7 and 10 years: you may be entitled to a pro‑rata payment only if your employment ends and the primary reason falls into one of the specific criteria listed by Business Queensland.
Business Queensland lists the criteria for pro‑rata payment (7–10 years) as:
- termination due to the employee's death
- employee resigns due to illness/injury/incapacity or domestic/other pressing necessity
- employer dismisses due to the employee's illness/injury/incapacity
- employer dismisses for a reason other than the employee's conduct, capacity or performance
- employee is unfairly dismissed
If someone has 10+ years' continuous service, payment on termination is automatic and not subject to the 7–10 year criteria.
Public sector exception (important)
Queensland Government employees covered by Long Service Leave Directive 10/24 may be entitled to take pro‑rata long service leave after 7 years (subject to operational convenience), which differs from the way many people understand the "standard" 7–10 year rule.
Continuous service in Queensland: what counts (and what can break it)
What "continuous service" means
Business Queensland says continuous service refers to paid working time and paid leave.
Unpaid leave
A period of unpaid leave:
- may not break continuity of service,
- does not count as service, and
- includes the Australian Government Parental Leave Pay scheme; and
- anniversary dates may need to be adjusted to account for unpaid leave.
Business Queensland also notes long service leave doesn't accumulate during unpaid parental leave, but that unpaid parental leave does not break continuity.
Absences from work
Business Queensland notes:
- generally, only paid leave absences count as continuous service (and WorkCover absences may also count).
-
continuity may be broken by certain absences, but it is not broken in several scenarios such as:
- leave (paid or unpaid) granted by the employer (including illness/injury),
- termination due to illness/injury followed by re‑employment (with conditions),
- re‑employment within 3 months after termination,
- industrial dispute or slackness in business/trade with re‑employment.
Casual employees: the "3 month break" trap
Critical for casuals
Business Queensland states: from 30 March 1994, all continuous service of a casual employee is taken into account; but continuous service may end if employment is broken by more than 3 months between the end of one contract and the start of the next.
How to calculate long service leave in QLD
If you want an internal step‑by‑step walkthrough you can link to from this guide, use: How to calculate long service leave
Step 1: Confirm what rules apply
Before you calculate anything, confirm whether entitlement comes from:
- QLD legislation (standard rules),
- a pre‑modern award clause,
- an enterprise agreement, or
- a portable scheme.
Step 2: Work out continuous service dates and adjustments
- Identify start date, end date (or leave start date).
- Identify unpaid leave periods (these may not break continuity but generally don't count as service).
Step 3: Use the correct calculation method
Full‑time employees (QLD standard rules)
Business Queensland provides an example: after 10+ years, pro‑rata is based on the full period of service. For example, 12 years equals 10.4 weeks (8.6667 + 1.73333).
Example calculation
Sarah has worked for 12 years. She gets: 8.6667 weeks (for first 10 years) + 1.73333 weeks (pro-rata for 2 additional years) = 10.4 weeks total. If her ordinary rate is $30/hour, she'll be paid at that rate for the entire leave period.
How it's paid: Business Queensland states long service leave is paid at the employee's ordinary rate (excluding overtime) at the time of taking leave; if they're paid above the award rate, it's paid at the higher rate.
Casual and regular part‑time employees (QLD standard rules)
Business Queensland gives a formula to calculate the number of long service leave hours:
Total ordinary hours worked ÷ 52 × 8.6667 ÷ 10 = long service leave hours
If the employer and casual/part‑time employee agree, the entitlement can be taken in full‑time equivalent weeks (Business Queensland demonstrates converting hours into a 38‑hour week equivalent).
Casual pay rate: Business Queensland states a casual employee is entitled to be paid at their loaded casual hourly rate for long service leave.
Key takeaway for employers
Casual employees must be paid at their loaded casual hourly rate for long service leave - not the base rate. Keep accurate records of total ordinary hours worked for each casual employee.
Mixed employment status
If someone has been full‑time for part of their service and casual/part‑time for another part, Business Queensland states the total ordinary hours used includes hours from both employment statuses, and calculation follows the outlined method.
Commission employees (QLD)
Business Queensland's calculating guidance explains a default method for commission, using an average commission approach based on the year before the leave period, unless another instrument/contract applies or a commission order applies.
It also notes there is no leave loading payable on long service leave and directs tax/super questions to the ATO.
Taking long service leave (timing, notice, public holidays)
Business Queensland states:
- Long service leave should be agreed between employer and employee (and can be taken for any duration as agreed).
- If agreement can't be reached, an employer can require an employee to take at least 4 weeks long service leave with at least 3 months' written notice.
Public holidays during long service leave
Business Queensland states long service leave is exclusive of public holidays; public holidays that fall on a day the employee ordinarily works must be added to the leave.
Practical tip
When calculating leave periods, always check if public holidays fall during the leave and extend the leave accordingly. For example, 2 weeks of LSL that includes 1 public holiday becomes 11 working days, not 10.
Does long service leave accrue while on other leave?
Business Queensland states long service leave continues to accrue while an employee is on paid sick leave, annual leave, or long service leave.
Cashing out ("cashing in") long service leave in QLD
Business Queensland's position is clear: long service leave can only be cashed out if:
- an award/enterprise agreement/certified agreement allows it, or
- the employee applies to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for an order (Form 13), which is limited to compassionate reasons or financial hardship and can only be made once the employee has qualified.
Portable long service leave (QLeave): who it applies to
Industries covered
Business Queensland states Queensland has portable long service leave schemes for eligible workers in:
- building and construction
- contract cleaning
- community services
It also notes employers in these industries are required to report service for eligible workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman also lists portable schemes across industries and points Queensland workers in building/construction, contract cleaning and community services to QLeave.
10+ years with one employer inside a portable scheme
Business Queensland notes that when an employee works for the same employer for 10 years or more, the employer is legally obligated to pay the entitlement directly, and it recommends the employer contact QLeave regarding reimbursement for periods covered under the portable scheme.
QLeave claims (building & construction scheme example)
QLeave's claim page includes specific eligibility thresholds and claim rules, including:
- eligibility after 10 years / 2,200 service credits to claim the full entitlement (8.67 weeks),
- alternative eligibility when leaving the industry (with minimum credit thresholds),
- a minimum 5 day claim (unless it's a final claim),
- payments are reported through Single Touch Payroll (no separate PAYG summary), and
- a weekly "cap rate" is listed (which can change over time).
Because portable scheme rules can be detailed (and can vary by scheme), it's best practice to direct users to QLeave for scheme-specific thresholds.
Business changes hands: transferred employees
Business Queensland states the Industrial Relations Act provides for accumulated entitlements to transfer when a business changes hands and the new employer continues existing staff, and that this is not negotiable.
It also states entitlements transfer if an employee is dismissed at the time the business changes hands or within the preceding month and is then employed by the new employer within 3 months.
Public sector note: queensland government employees can be different
If you're writing an SEO guide that answers "long service leave QLD" broadly, you'll rank better if you clearly separate:
- "Standard" Queensland rules for most employees, and
- Public sector instruments.
The Queensland Government Long Service Leave Directive 10/24 includes provisions such as:
- employees being entitled to take pro‑rata long service leave after 7 years continuous service (subject to convenience),
- and a 10-year qualifying framework for part-time/casual in that directive context.
Practical takeaway
If your audience includes Queensland Government employers/employees, add a prominent callout: "Public sector rules may differ — check your directive/industrial instrument."
Employer compliance plan
A simple process you can actually run every year. For a ready-to-use policy template, see our long service leave policy template.
1. Confirm the entitlement source
State law vs pre‑modern award vs enterprise agreement vs portable scheme.
2. Track continuous service accurately
- record unpaid leave (doesn't usually count as service; anniversary may shift)
- monitor casual breaks > 3 months (can end continuous service)
3. Keep the right records
Business Queensland states employers must keep a record of total ordinary hours worked by each casual employee (to 30 June each year) and recommends similar records for part‑time; records must be kept for 6 years after termination.
4. When leave is requested, confirm timing rules
Try to agree; if not, follow notice rules (3 months + minimum 4 weeks).
5. Pay correctly
Ordinary rate, excluding overtime (and ensure casual loaded rate where applicable).
6. Handle transfers of business properly
Entitlements transfer and may be non‑negotiable.
7. Know when cashing out is allowed
Only if allowed by an industrial instrument or ordered by QIRC in hardship/compassionate cases.
Quick compliance checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you're meeting all QLD long service leave requirements:
Common mistakes that cause disputes or underpayments
Assuming everyone can "take" long service leave after 7 years (often wrong outside public sector contexts).
Paying long service leave at a blended rate that incorrectly includes overtime (QLD guidance points to ordinary rate excluding overtime).
Not adjusting service dates for unpaid leave (which may not count as service).
Forgetting the casual "break > 3 months" continuity issue.
Treating a portable scheme worker as if they need 10 years with one employer, or ignoring QLeave reporting/eligibility rules.
Poor time records for casual/part‑time hours (recordkeeping is explicitly addressed by Business Queensland).
Tools & calculators
Use these resources to help with QLD long service leave calculations and compliance:
How to calculate LSL
Step-by-step calculation guide for all Australian states
QLeave portal
Portable schemes for building, cleaning & community services
Official QLD resources
Key government resources for Queensland long service leave compliance:
Business Queensland employing page
Official guidance on employment obligations including leave entitlements
Visit resource →QLeave portal
Portable long service leave schemes for building, cleaning, and community services
Visit portal →QIRC information
Queensland Industrial Relations Commission - LSL claims and dispute resolution
Visit QIRC →Fair Work Ombudsman QLD guidance
National workplace relations information and portable schemes overview
Visit FWO →Sources and update notes
Primary sources used for this guide:
- Business Queensland: "Long service leave in Queensland" and related pages (entitlements, calculation, portable schemes, transfers/cashing out).
- Fair Work Ombudsman: long service leave overview, pre‑modern award and portable scheme references, and long service leave fact sheet.
- QLeave: claim criteria and payment/reporting notes.
- Queensland Government: Long Service Leave Directive 10/24 (public sector note).
If you believe you haven't been paid correctly, Business Queensland points to making a long service leave claim and provides an Industrial Relations Infoline number.
Frequently asked questions
- In Queensland, employees are entitled to 8.6667 weeks of paid long service leave after 10 years' continuous service with the same employer (subject to exceptions such as pre-modern awards, enterprise agreements, or portable schemes).
- Business Queensland states: 8.6667 weeks after 10 years, plus an additional 4.3333 weeks after a further 5 years (13 weeks total after 15 years).
- Under standard QLD guidance, 7–10 years is mainly about a possible pro‑rata payment on termination in limited circumstances (death, illness-related resignation, dismissal not for conduct, etc.). However, Queensland Government Directive 10/24 includes a rule allowing public sector employees to take pro‑rata long service leave after 7 years (subject to operational convenience).
- Yes. Business Queensland notes Queensland legislation provides long service leave entitlements for most employees, including casual employees (subject to conditions), and provides a specific calculation method based on total ordinary hours worked.
Related compliance tools
Free calculators and checkers for Australian employers
Break compliance calculator
Check whether employee breaks are compliant based on shift length.
Underpayment risk calculator
Assess your underpayment risk based on time tracking and pay practices.
Backpay exposure estimator
Estimate potential backpay liability if employees have been underpaid.
Simplify your long service leave tracking
RosterElf keeps accurate time and attendance records that feed directly into payroll—giving you the data you need for LSL calculations and compliance.