Long service leave in Australia is a statutory entitlement — but the rules vary by state and territory. Unlike annual leave, which is federally consistent under the Fair Work Act, long service leave is governed by separate legislation in each state and the Commonwealth system. Your letter needs to reference the correct legislation for your state and acknowledge the notice requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Long service leave (LSL) is a statutory entitlement in Australia for employees with 7–10 years of continuous service, depending on the state or territory.
- The standard entitlement is 2 months (8.67 weeks) of paid leave after 10 years, plus pro-rata entitlement after 5–7 years depending on state law.
- LSL can be taken in blocks — you do not need to take it all at once.
- Notice periods vary by state — generally 4 weeks to 3 months in advance.
- LSL accrues continuously — including during other forms of leave (annual leave, sick leave, parental leave).
- When you change jobs, your LSL generally resets — it is not transferable between employers (except in specified circumstances like transmission of business).
Template Letter: Long Service Leave Application
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]
[Manager's Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Subject: Long Service Leave Request — [Your Name]
Dear [Manager's Name],
I am writing to request long service leave in accordance with the [State] Long Service Leave Act / the Fair Work Act 2009 [select one].
I have completed [X] years of continuous service with [Company Name] and am entitled to [X] weeks of long service leave under the relevant legislation.
I wish to take my long service leave as follows:
- Start date: [Date]
- End date: [Date]
- Total duration: [X] weeks
I would like to take this leave as [a single continuous block / in two blocks: Block 1 [Dates] and Block 2 [Dates]].
During my absence, I will hand over my responsibilities to [Name], who has agreed to cover my duties. I will prepare a handover document before my leave begins.
I understand that long service leave may affect my other leave accruals and entitlements, and I am happy to discuss the details with HR if needed.
Please confirm receipt and let me know if you need any additional information or documentation.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]Template Letter: Pro-Rata Long Service Leave
For employees with between 5 and 10 years of service who are eligible for pro-rata LSL.
Subject: Pro-Rata Long Service Leave Request — [Your Name]
Dear [Manager's Name],
I am writing to request pro-rata long service leave. I have completed [X] years of continuous service with [Company Name].
Under the [State] Long Service Leave Act, I am eligible for pro-rata long service leave after [X] years of service. I understand this entitlement is [X] weeks of paid leave.
I would like to take this leave from [Start Date] to [End Date]. I have discussed the timing with [Name] and the team is aware of the proposed absence.
I will ensure all current projects have appropriate coverage and handover notes.
Please let me know if you require any further information.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]Long Service Leave by State
| State/Territory | Entitlement After 10 Years | Pro-Rata Entitlement | Governing Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 2 months (8.67 weeks) | 2 months after 5 years (pro-rata) | Long Service Leave Act 1955 (NSW) |
| VIC | 2 months (8.67 weeks) | 8.67 weeks after 7 years | Long Service Leave Act 2018 (VIC) |
| QLD | 8.67 weeks | 6.5 weeks after 5 years | Industrial Relations Act 2016 (QLD) |
| WA | 8.67 weeks | 6.5 weeks after 5 years | Long Service Leave Act 1958 (WA) |
| SA | 13 weeks | 6.5 weeks after 5 years | Long Service Leave Act 1987 (SA) |
| TAS | 8.67 weeks | Not specified (prorated) | Long Service Leave Act 1976 (TAS) |
| ACT | 3 months (13 weeks) | 6.5 weeks after 5 years | Long Service Leave Act 1976 (ACT) |
| NT | 3 months (13 weeks) | 6.5 weeks after 5 years | Long Service Leave Act 1981 (NT) |
| Federal | 2 months (8.67 weeks) | 2 months after 5 years (pro-rata on termination only) | Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) — s.113 |
Notice Periods by State
| State | Notice Required for LSL |
|---|---|
| NSW | At least 4 weeks |
| VIC | At least 4 weeks (or as agreed) |
| QLD | At least 4 weeks (or as agreed) |
| WA | At least 4 weeks (or as agreed) |
| SA | At least 4 weeks |
| TAS | At least 4 weeks |
| ACT | At least 4 weeks (or as agreed) |
| NT | At least 4 weeks (or as agreed) |
Taking LSL in Blocks
Most states allow you to take long service leave in separate blocks of at least one week, subject to employer agreement. Some states require the leave to be taken as a continuous block unless the employer agrees otherwise. Check your state’s legislation before requesting split leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my long service leave if I change jobs?
Generally, yes — LSL is tied to your employer. If you leave your job without taking it, your employer must pay out your accrued LSL on termination. It does not transfer to your new employer unless there is a transmission of business (e.g., the company is sold to a new owner).
Can I take long service leave at half pay?
Some states allow LSL to be taken at half pay for double the period. For example, taking 8.67 weeks at half pay means 17.34 weeks off. Check with your employer and your state’s legislation.
Does long service leave accrue during unpaid leave?
In most states, LSL continues to accrue during unpaid parental leave and other approved unpaid leave, up to a maximum period (usually 12 months of unpaid leave in a year). Annual leave and sick leave do count toward LSL accrual.
What happens to my long service leave if I resign?
Your employer must pay out your accrued LSL on termination if you have met the qualifying period. Pro-rata LSL on resignation is payable in some states after 5 years (NSW, WA, SA, ACT, NT) and in others only on specific types of termination.
Can I combine long service leave with annual leave or a sabbatical?
Yes. Many employees take LSL followed by annual leave to create a longer absence. Discuss the arrangement with your employer to ensure correct processing of leave types and payment rates.
Related Reading
- Carer’s Leave Request Letter for Australian Employees
- Parental Leave Letter Template for Australian Employees
- Sabbatical Request Letter: Template and How to Make the Case
- Leave Extension Request Email: Templates and Tips
- Australia Long Service Leave
Track Long Service Leave Accruals Automatically
Leave Balance calculates LSL accruals based on your state’s legislation, tracks continuous service years, and shows employees and managers real-time LSL balances — so you never lose track of this valuable entitlement.