Queensland Long Service Leave Calculator
This QLD long service leave calculator applies the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), ch 2 pt 3 div 9: 8.67 weeks of paid leave after 10 years of continuous service. Pro rata on leaving: 7–10 years: only on death, resignation for illness or domestic or other pressing necessity, dismissal for a reason other than conduct, capacity or performance (or unfair dismissal), or the end of a fixed term. After 10 years: always. Enter your start and end dates, hours, weekly pay and why the job is ending to see the weeks, hours and dollars owed.
Updated 2026-10-08 · Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), ch 2 pt 3 div 9
| Continuous service | 10 years, 7 months, 7 days |
| LSL accrued to the end date | 9.19 weeks (349.3 h) |
| Can be taken now (while employed) | 8.67 weeks (329.3 h) |
| Paid out if employment ends for this reason | 9.19 weeks · $16,545 |
| Full entitlement | 8.67 weeks after 10 years (Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), ch 2 pt 3 div 9) |
| Pro rata on leaving | 7–10 years: only on death, resignation for illness or domestic or other pressing necessity, dismissal for a reason other than conduct, capacity or performance (or unfair dismissal), or the end of a fixed term. After 10 years: always. |
| Full entitlement reached on | Already reached |
| Hourly value at your pay | $47.37 an hour |
Your result is ready
QLD long service leave rules at a glance
| Entitlement | 8.6667 weeks after 10 years of continuous service, then a proportionate amount for each further period of at least 5 years (s 95(2)). |
| Pro rata on leaving | After 7 but under 10 years, only if the employee dies, resigns because of illness, incapacity or a domestic or other pressing necessity, is dismissed for a reason other than conduct, capacity or performance (or unfairly), or the employment ends through the passing of time when the employee expected to reach 10 years (s 95(3)–(7)). Resigning to take another job does not qualify. After 10 years pro rata is paid for any reason. |
| Cashing out | Only if an industrial instrument allows it and both sign an agreement, or the QIRC orders it on compassionate or financial hardship grounds (s 110). |
| Pay rate | The ordinary rate immediately before the leave, or a higher rate actually being paid (s 98). For anyone who was casual or regular part-time at any point, at least average ordinary hours over the whole service (s 105). |
| Casuals | Covered when employed more than once by the same employer; service is continuous unless a gap between engagements exceeds 3 months (ss 102–103). |
| Taking the leave | By agreement; failing that, the employer gives at least 3 months' written notice for a block of at least 4 weeks (s 97). Public holidays are excluded, so they extend the leave (s 95(5)). |
QLD long service leave by years of service
Weeks of leave for a full-time employee on 38 hours a week. Multiply the weeks by your ordinary weekly pay for the dollar value: at $1,500 a week, 8.67 weeks is $13,000.
| Years of service | Accrued (weeks) | Can take while employed | Paid if you resign | Paid if made redundant | Hours at 38 h/week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4.33 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 164.7 |
| 7 | 6.07 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 6.07 | 230.5 |
| 8 | 6.93 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 6.93 | 263.5 |
| 10 | 8.67 | 8.67 | 8.67 | 8.67 | 329.3 |
| 12 | 10.40 | 8.67 | 10.40 | 10.40 | 395.2 |
| 15 | 13.00 | 13.00 | 13.00 | 13.00 | 494.0 |
| 20 | 17.33 | 17.33 | 17.33 | 17.33 | 658.7 |
Long service leave in other states
- New South Wales8.67 weeks after 10 years
- Victoria6.07 weeks after 7 years
- Western Australia8.67 weeks after 10 years
- South Australia13 weeks after 10 years
- Tasmania8.67 weeks after 10 years
- Australian Capital Territory6.07 weeks after 7 years
- Northern Territory13 weeks after 10 years
How QLD long service leave is calculated
Under the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), ch 2 pt 3 div 9, long service leave accrues at 0.8667 weeks for every year of continuous service with the same employer (or a business that was transferred to them). The first entitlement is 8.67 weeks after 10 years; after that, leave can be taken in further blocks every 5 years. Weeks are converted to hours at your ordinary weekly hours and paid at your ordinary weekly pay, without overtime.
Worked example: Alex started on 1 July 2016, works 38 hours a week and earns $1,500 a week. On 1 July 2024, after 8 years, Alex has accrued 6.93 weeks. Resigning for a new job then pays nothing; being made redundant pays 6.93 weeks ($10,400). After 12 years Alex has 10.40 weeks (395.2 hours), of which 8.67 weeks can be taken while still employed, and resigning pays $15,600.
When QLD long service leave is paid out
What happens to 8 years of service (6.93 weeks accrued) depending on why the job ends. Before 7 years nothing is paid; after 10 years accrued leave is paid on any termination.
| How the job ends | Paid out? | Weeks | Value at $1,500 a week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resigned (any ordinary reason) | No | 0.00 | $0 |
| Resigned due to illness, incapacity or pressing domestic necessity | Yes | 6.93 | $10,400 |
| Made redundant / employer ended it (not for conduct or performance) | Yes | 6.93 | $10,400 |
| Dismissed for conduct or performance (not serious misconduct) | No | 0.00 | $0 |
| Dismissed for serious misconduct | No | 0.00 | $0 |
| Retired at retirement age | No | 0.00 | $0 |
| Death of the employee | Yes | 6.93 | $10,400 |
What makes Queensland long service leave different
Queensland is strict between 7 and 10 years. Pro rata leave is paid only if you die, resign because of your own illness or a domestic or other pressing necessity, are dismissed for a reason other than your conduct, capacity or performance (redundancy is the usual case), are unfairly dismissed, or your employment ends with the passing of time when you reasonably expected to reach 10 years and were willing to stay. Resigning for a better job at 8 years gets nothing; so does a dismissal for poor performance. After 10 years, pro rata is paid on any termination.
Cashing out is only possible if an award, agreement or other industrial instrument allows it and you sign an agreement, or the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission orders it on compassionate or financial hardship grounds. Workers who were casual or regular part-time at any point are paid at least the average of their ordinary hours over their whole service. Separate portable schemes cover building and construction (QLeave), contract cleaning and community services.
Tax on a QLD long service leave payout
Long service leave taken while employed is taxed like normal pay. Unused leave paid when you leave is taxed under the ATO's Schedule 7 rules, which are the same in every state: leave accrued after 17 August 1993 is taxed at your marginal rates on a normal resignation or dismissal, and withheld at 32% after a genuine redundancy, invalidity or approved early retirement; leave accrued between 16 August 1978 and 17 August 1993 is withheld at 32%; and only 5% of leave accrued before 16 August 1978 is taxed.
On a $78,000 salary, Alex's $15,600 payout after 12 years adds about $4,992 of tax and Medicare at a 32% marginal rate, leaving $10,608. Unused long service leave paid on termination is not ordinary time earnings, so no super guarantee is paid on it.
Frequently asked questions
How much long service leave do you get in Queensland?
8.67 weeks after 10 years of continuous service, accruing at 0.8667 weeks a year (Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), ch 2 pt 3 div 9).
Do I get pro rata long service leave after 7 years in Queensland if I resign?
Only if you resign because of illness or a domestic or other pressing necessity. An ordinary resignation between 7 and 10 years does not attract pro rata long service leave in Queensland.
Can I cash out long service leave in QLD?
Only where an industrial instrument allows it and you sign an agreement, or the QIRC orders it for financial hardship or compassionate reasons (Industrial Relations Act 2016 s 110).
How do I calculate long service leave pay in QLD?
Weeks of leave × ordinary weekly pay. 8.67 weeks at $1,500 a week is $13,000; in hours, 329.3 hours on a 38-hour week.
Sources
Figures are taken from official government publications and were last reviewed on 2026-10-08.
- Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), ss 93–112, reprint current at 1 January 2026
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Long service leave (state laws apply; pre-modern award entitlements preserved by NES s 113; portable schemes)
- ATO: PAYG withholding Schedule 7 – unused long service leave on termination (pre-16 Aug 1978: 5% at marginal rates; 1978–1993 and redundancy: 32%; post-17 Aug 1993: marginal rates)
Reviewed by Kashif Nazir Khan on 2026-10-08 · software engineer and developer with an interest in accounting and taxation