Blog/Guides

LSL Calculator: Complete Guide by State

A comprehensive guide to Long Service Leave calculations across all Australian states and territories.

LSLCalc Team·15 January 2026·8 min read

Introduction

Long Service Leave (LSL) is a uniquely Australian employment entitlement that rewards employees for their continued service with an employer. However, the rules governing LSL vary significantly between states and territories, making calculations complex for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.

State-by-State Overview

Victoria

Victoria operates under the Long Service Leave Act 2018, which provides one of the more generous entitlements in Australia.

Key points:

  • Eligibility after 7 years of continuous service
  • Entitlement: 1 week of leave for every 60 weeks worked (approximately 0.867 weeks per year)
  • Pro-rata access available after 7 years for certain termination types
  • New South Wales

    NSW follows the Long Service Leave Act 1955 with amendments.

    Key points:

  • Full eligibility after 10 years of continuous service
  • Entitlement: 2 months (8.67 weeks) for 10 years of service
  • Pro-rata access after 5 years for certain termination types (redundancy, illness, domestic reasons)
  • Queensland

    Queensland's Industrial Relations Act 2016 governs LSL entitlements.

    Key points:

  • Eligibility after 10 years of continuous service
  • Entitlement: 8.67 weeks for 10 years
  • Pro-rata access may be available in some circumstances
  • South Australia

    SA operates under the Long Service Leave Act 1987, offering higher entitlements.

    Key points:

  • Eligibility after 10 years
  • Entitlement: 13 weeks for 10 years (1.3 weeks per year)
  • More generous than most other states
  • Western Australia

    WA follows the Long Service Leave Act 1958.

    Key points:

  • Eligibility after 10 years (7 years for some awards)
  • Entitlement: 8.67 weeks for 10 years
  • Special provisions for certain industries
  • Tasmania

    Tasmania's Long Service Leave Act 1976 applies.

    Key points:

  • Eligibility after 10 years
  • Entitlement: 8.67 weeks for 10 years
  • Pro-rata provisions available
  • Northern Territory

    NT operates under the Long Service Leave Act 1981 with higher entitlements.

    Key points:

  • Eligibility after 10 years
  • Entitlement: 13 weeks for 10 years
  • Matches South Australia's generous rates
  • Australian Capital Territory

    ACT follows the Long Service Leave Act 1976.

    Key points:

  • Eligibility after 7 years
  • Entitlement: 6.07 weeks for 7 years, then additional accrual
  • Earlier eligibility than most states
  • How to Calculate LSL

    The basic formula for calculating LSL entitlement is:

    Entitlement = Years of Service × Accrual Rate

    However, this becomes complex when considering:

  • Part-time or variable hours
  • Breaks in service
  • Leave already taken
  • Termination type
  • Using LSLCalc

    LSLCalc automatically handles all these state-specific rules and complex calculations. Simply enter the employment dates, state, and termination type to get accurate results.

    Conclusion

    Understanding LSL calculations is essential for both employers and employees. With rules varying significantly between states, using a reliable calculator like LSLCalc ensures accuracy and compliance.

    Need to Calculate LSL?

    Use our free calculator to get accurate results for any Australian state.

    Try the Calculator