Long Service Leave
Long Service Leave is special additional leave granted to an employee in recognition of long service with an employer or a series of related employers.
By far the most common entitlement of long service leave for NTEU members is three months leave after ten years service. However, you should check the entitlement at your workplace.
A basic level for long service leave is set out in all States and Territories in various Acts of Parliament. However, for most NTEU members, the actual level of entitlement is higher than the legislated minimum and is set out in your Enterprise Agreement.
There are a number of important issues which NTEU members should know about when considering their long service leave entitlements, outlined below.
Applying for another job
When you are applying for another job you should also enquire about transferability of long service leave credits. “Transferability” means that if, for example, you have worked at a University or TAFE Institute for 5 years and get a job with another University, or even with the public service, you might be entitled to have your previous 5 years service count towards you accumulation of long service leave. If you are moving to a job covered by the NTEU, contact the union to check your rights. In some cases a claim for recognition of prior service has to be made within a specified period of your commencement.
Time of taking Long Service Leave
Many Agreements have provisions which:
- Allow the employee to take pro rata long service leave after less than 10 years service.
- Allow employees to choose the time they wish to take long service leave provided sufficient notice is given – if you are planning to take long service leave you should check this.
- Allow the employer to require employees with large accumulations of long service leave to take some of their leave.
Casual service
Under certain Enterprise Agreements, some casual service can count towards long service leave credits. If you have ten years total service, including periods of casual service, you should enquire with your employer as to your leave entitlements and, if advised that you have no entitlement, check with your NTEU Branch.
