Long Service Leave Victoria: Entitlements & Rules (2026)
Under the long service leave act Victoria (the Long Service Leave Act 2018), leave accrues at 1/60th of a week for each week of continuous employment, which is about 6.07 weeks after 7 years, and you can take it once you reach 7 years. Full-time, part-time and casual employees are all covered.
This guide sits alongside our annual leave in Australia guide.
Long service leave act Victoria: the core rules
The table sets out the main numbers from the Victorian scheme. For anything not listed, check the Act itself or the Victorian Government long service leave page.
| Item | What the rule is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Legislation | Long Service Leave Act 2018 (Vic) | Applies to employees working in Victoria, on top of the National Employment Standards |
| Accrual rate | 1/60th of a week for each week of continuous employment | Leave builds up from your first week, not only after a waiting period |
| Amount after 7 years | About 6.07 weeks | This is the starting point for most workers |
| When you can take it | After 7 years of continuous employment | Earlier than the 10-year threshold in NSW |
| Who is covered | Full-time, part-time and casual employees | Casuals who meet the continuity test earn leave too |
Can you take long service leave after 7 years?
Yes. In Victoria you can take long service leave once you have completed 7 years of continuous employment with the same employer.
- Count your continuous employment from your start date, including paid leave and breaks the Act treats as continuous.
- Check that you have reached 7 years, because leave before that point is not available in the normal way.
- Work out your entitlement using the 1/60th of a week accrual rate, which gives about 6.07 weeks at 7 years.
- Ask your employer in writing for the dates you want, and give as much notice as the Act and your workplace allow.
- Keep a copy of the request and the reply, and confirm the pay rate that applies to the leave.
Long service leave Victoria for casual and part-time staff
The Victorian Act does not limit leave to permanent employees. The table shows how it applies by employment type.
| Employment type | Covered by the Act? | Key check |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Yes | Confirm your start date and any breaks in service |
| Part-time | Yes | Check how your ordinary hours are used in the calculation |
| Casual | Yes | Check that your employment is continuous under the Act |
| Labour hire worker | Yes, with the labour hire provider as the employer | Service with the provider counts, not time with each host |
How long service leave accrues in Victoria
- Start with the number of weeks of continuous employment you have completed.
- Multiply by 1/60th to find the weeks of leave you have earned.
- Check the result against about 6.07 weeks at 7 years.
- Compare your result with the balance on your payslip or your employer's leave report.
- Ask for a written breakdown if the figures do not match.
Long service leave Victoria vs NSW
If you have worked in both states, the rules do not transfer. NSW follows its own Long Service Leave Act 1955, and other states differ again.
| Item | Victoria | NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Legislation | Long Service Leave Act 2018 | Long Service Leave Act 1955 |
| First entitlement | About 6.07 weeks after 7 years | 2 months (8.67 weeks) after 10 years |
| Further leave | Continues to accrue at 1/60th of a week for each week | 1 month (4.33 weeks) at 15 years and for each 5 years after that |
| Casuals | Covered | Covered |
| Cashing out while employed | Check the Act and current guidance | Not allowed |
Read our long service leave NSW guide if your employer is based in New South Wales.
Employer obligations under the long service leave act in Victoria
Employers carry the record-keeping and payment duties. Use this checklist for each pay run and each leave request.
- Track each employee's start date and continuous service, including casuals, so you can show how the 7 year point was reached.
- Record accrual at 1/60th of a week for each week of service and keep the working papers for 7 years.
- Respond to a leave request in writing and agree dates that work for the roster without unreasonably refusing.
- Pay long service leave on time, and pay super at 12% of ordinary time earnings for 2026-27 within 7 business days of payday where it applies.
- Give payslips within 1 working day of payday that show the leave taken and the balance remaining.
- Check how a break, a parental leave period or a change of employer affects continuity before telling an employee the answer.
What to do if your long service leave looks wrong
- Write down your start date, any gaps in your employment and the leave you believe you have earned.
- Compare that with your payslips and any leave statement from your employer.
- Raise the difference in writing and ask for a response by a set date.
- If it is not fixed, contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 or the Victorian regulator for free help.
- Keep every payslip and email, because employers must hold time and wage records for 7 years.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming casual employees miss out, when the Victorian Act covers full-time, part-time and casual staff.
- Applying the NSW 10 year rule to a Victorian employee, which understates when leave can be taken.
- Treating long service leave as annual leave, so staff lose their 4 weeks of annual leave in the process.
- Ignoring service with a previous employer when the workplace was transferred or taken over, without checking continuity rules.
- Failing to keep start dates and hours records, which makes a dispute difficult to resolve.
Long service leave act Victoria FAQ
Can you take long service leave after 7 years?
Yes. In Victoria you can take long service leave after 7 years of continuous employment. By then you have built up about 6.07 weeks, accrued at 1/60th of a week for each week of service. Ask in writing and agree dates with your employer.
Do casuals get long service leave in Victoria?
Yes. The long service leave act Victoria covers full-time, part-time and casual employees, as long as employment is continuous under the Act. Casuals do not get paid annual or personal leave, but long service leave is a separate entitlement that can still apply.
How is Victorian long service leave different from NSW?
Victoria lets you take leave after 7 years, while NSW generally requires 10 years for the first 2 months. Each state has its own Act, so a move between states needs careful checking. The NSW entitlement cannot be cashed out while you are employed.
Where can I check my long service leave balance?
Start with your payslips and any leave statement from your employer. If the numbers look wrong, write to your employer and then call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. Keep copies of your payslips, because employers must hold wage records for 7 years.
Getting long service leave Victoria right
This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice, so check the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Victorian Government or an employment lawyer for your situation. For the wider picture, read our guide to annual leave in Australia. If you are hiring and want help with contracts and leave records, visit our recruitment page to talk to us.