Long Service Leave WA
Your Entitlement, 7-Year Pro-Rata and Payout
Last updated September 2026
Reviewed by the Australian Unions policy team, September 2026
Based on our affiliated unions’ experience helping WA members, the seven-year pro-rata rule and the MyLeave construction scheme are the two things workers most often miss.
Long service leave in Western Australia at a glance
Employees are entitled to long service leave after an extended period of service with an employer. Your specific entitlements to long service leave will be determined by state or territory long service leave legislation, or (if you are covered by a pre-reform award) by the National Employment Standards under the Fair Work Act.
This factsheet focuses on the rules and entitlements for workers in Western Australia, primarily governed by the Long Service Leave Act 1958 (WA). These rules will apply unless you are covered by a federal pre-modern award. An enterprise agreement can also provide more generous long service leave entitlements.
For general information, visit our main Long Service Leave factsheet.
How much long service leave do you get in WA?
In Western Australia, long service leave entitlements are generally based on 10 years of continuous service with the same employer.
After 10 years
Under the Long Service Leave Act 1958 (WA), if you have completed at least 10 years of continuous employment, you are entitled to 8.6667 weeks (or roughly two months) of paid long service leave.
Beyond 10 years
For every subsequent five years of continuous service after your initial 10 years, you will be entitled to an additional 4.333 weeks (one month) of paid long service leave. Long service leave continues to accrue pro-rata for any service beyond these five-year increments.
Pro-rata after 7 years
Western Australia’s long service leave legislation offers a more generous pro-rata entitlement compared to some other states.
In WA, if your employment ends after you have completed at least 7 years but less than 10 years of continuous service with an employer, you are entitled to a pro-rata payment of your accrued long service leave. Tthis applies regardless of the reason your employment ended. This means you can resign after 7 years and still receive a pro-rata long service leave payout.
Before 7 years
Generally, if your employment ends before you complete 7 years of continuous service, you will not be entitled to any long service leave, either to take or to be paid out.
Anonymised WA worker story example:
“Sarah, a retail worker in Perth, was delighted when her union helped her recover over $5,000 in pro-rata long service leave. She had worked for the same company for 7 years and 3 months before resigning to move interstate, but her employer told her she wasn’t entitled to anything. Her union clarified the WA rules and ensured she received her full payout.”
How long service leave is calculated in WA
Calculating your long service leave in Western Australia involves your length of continuous service and your ordinary weekly pay rate.
The weekly pay rate
The payment for your long service leave, whether taken or paid out, is based on your ordinary pay for your ‘normal weekly number of hours’ worked.
Ordinary pay does not include shift premiums, overtime, penalty rates, allowances or similar payments. For a casual worker, your ordinary pay does include your casual loading.
Normal weekly hours
If your normal weekly hours of work have changed, then your entitlement to long service leave will be calculated by taking an average of your weekly hours worked during this period.
The period you need to calculate and average, depends on the accrual period for the long service leave. For example, if you are applying for your first period of long service leave, the period is 10 years of continuous employment. Importantly, this period will include any overtime worked.
Worked WA example
Let’s look at two scenarios for a worker earning $1,000 per ordinary 38-hour week.
Worker’s Ordinary Weekly Pay: $1,000
Accrual Rate: 2/3 of a month for each completed year of service
Scenario 1: Pro-rata payout at 7 years
- Service: 7 years
- Accrued leave: 7 years × (2/3 month/year) = 4.6667 months
- Convert to weeks: 4.6667 months × (52 weeks / 12 months) = 20.22 weeks
- Payout: 20.22 weeks × $1,000/week = $20,220
Scenario 2: Full payout at 10 years
- Service: 10 years
- Accrued leave: 10 years × (2/3 month/year) = 6.6667 months
- Convert to weeks: 6.6667 months × (52 weeks / 12 months) = 28.89 weeks (approx. 2 months)
- Payout: 28.89 weeks × $1,000/week = $28,890
WA vs other states
These are the minimum entitlements under each state and territory Act. A modern award, enterprise agreement or pre-modern award can give you more. If you work in South Australia, ask your union to confirm your exact entitlement. If you are unsure which set of rules applies to you, read our national long service leave factsheet or ask your union to check your service record before you resign.
| Jurisdiction | Qualifying Period | Entitlement | Pro-rata on Termination | Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Australia | 10 years continuous service | 8.6667 weeks | Yes, after 7 years | Long Service Leave Act 1958 (WA) |
| Victoria | 7 years continuous service | One week for every 60 weeks of continuous employment (approximately 0.866 weeks of long service per year) | Yes, after 7 years | Long Service Leave Act 2018 (Vic) |
| New South Wales | 10 years of continuous service | 2 months (8.6667 weeks) | Yes, after 5 years in special circumstances | Long Service Leave Act 1955 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 7 years continuous service | 1/5th of a months leave for each year of service (approximately 6.0667 weeks) | Yes, after 5 years in special circumstances | Long Service Leave Act 1976 (ACT) |
| South Australia | 10 years continuous service | 13 weeks | Yes, after 7 years | Long Service Leave Act 1987 (SA) |
| Queensland | 10 years continuous service | 8.6667 weeks | Yes, after 7 years in special circumstances | Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) |
| Tasmania | 10 years continuous service | 8.6667 weeks | Yes, after 7 years in special circumstances | Long Service Leave Act 1976 (Tas) |
| Northern Territory | 10 years continuous service | 13 weeks | Yes, after 7 years in special circumstances | Long Service Leave Act 1981 (NT) |
What counts as continuous employment
Continuous employment is crucial for long service leave eligibility. Generally, it refers to uninterrupted service with the same employer, but certain breaks or changes do not break this continuity.
Leave, absences and business sales
Your continuous employment for long service leave purposes is generally not broken by periods such as parental leave, other approved paid absences (e.g., annual leave, sick leave and family and domestic violence leave), approved unpaid leave in some circumstances, or a transfer of business (where a new employer takes over the business). These periods will normally count towards your continuous service.
Casual and seasonal work
In Western Australia, continuous employment for long service leave purposes can also apply to casual employees and seasonal workers. The key factor is whether the employment is “regular and systematic” or whether there is a reasonable expectation of ongoing work, despite gaps between engagements.
MyLeave portable long service leave in WA
Western Australia also operates a portable long service leave scheme specifically for the construction industry, known as MyLeave. This scheme ensures that workers in the construction industry accrue long service leave even if they work for multiple employers within the industry, as long as they remain registered with MyLeave. This means your long service leave “follows” you across different construction jobs. You can check your registration status and entitlements directly with MyLeave.
When long service leave is paid out
If you have accrued an entitlement to long service leave and your employment ends, any untaken long service leave must be paid out in your final pay. This includes both your full entitlement after 10 years, or your pro-rata entitlement after 7 years (or under other specific circumstances as outlined by the Long Service Leave Act 1958 (WA)). The payout will be at your ordinary pay.
What to do if your WA long service leave is wrong
If you suspect there’s an error in your long service leave calculation or payout in Western Australia, follow these steps.
Step 1: Confirm your continuous employment dates
Gather all your employment records, including start and end dates, and details of any significant breaks in service. Pin down the exact dates you commenced and finished employment with your employer.
Step 2: Calculate what you are owed
Using the calculation methods outlined earlier in this factsheet (2/3 of a month for each year of service), calculate your estimated long service leave entitlement. This will give you a clear figure to compare against what your employer has provided.
Step 3: Raise it with your employer in writing
Send a clear, simple email to your employer stating your concerns and providing your calculation. Keep a copy for your records.
For example:
“I believe there may be an error in my long service leave calculation. My records indicate X years of continuous service. Based on this, I calculate an entitlement of Y weeks/dollars. Could you please review this?”
Step 4: Get your union involved
If your employer doesn’t respond, disagrees with your calculation, or if you feel uncomfortable raising the issue alone, contact your union immediately.
Your union is always the best source of information about your rights at work. Reach out to your union if you need specific information or support. Join your union today to ensure you have expert support.
Frequently asked questions
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How much long service leave do you get in WA?
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In Western Australia, you generally get two months (approximately 8.6667 weeks) of paid long service leave after 10 years of continuous service with the same employer. You then accrue 4.333 weeks of long service leave for every 5 years of continuous employment after the initial 10 years.
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Do you get pro-rata long service leave in WA if you resign?
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Yes, if you resign in Western Australia after completing at least 7 years but less than 10 years of continuous service, you are entitled to a pro-rata payment of your accrued long service leave.
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When are you entitled to long service leave in WA?
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You are entitled to take your full long service leave entitlement after 10 years of continuous service. You are also entitled to a pro-rata payout if your employment ends for most reasons after 7 years of continuous service but before 10 years.
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What is MyLeave and am I covered?
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MyLeave is Western Australia’s portable long service leave scheme for the construction industry. It allows eligible construction workers to accrue long service leave even when changing employers within the industry. You can contact MyLeave directly to check if you are registered and covered by the scheme.
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Can long service leave be cashed out in WA?
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Yes. You are entitled to cash out long service leave. You will need to:
- Have completed 10 .years of continuous service
- Your employer will need to agree
- This agreement needs to be recorded and signed by you and your employer; and
- Keep a copy of the agreement for your records.
There can sometimes be tax implications being paid out leave in a lump sum. Consider getting financial advice for your individual circumstances.
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Is long service leave taxed in WA?
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Yes, long service leave payments, whether taken as leave or paid out upon termination, are subject to income tax. Your employer will withhold tax from these payments as required by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
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What happens if a public holiday falls during my long service leave?
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In WA, long service leave is exclusive of public holidays. This means that if a public holiday falls while you are already on long service leave, your leave increases by 1 day. Enjoy your extra leave!
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Do casual employees get long service leave in WA?
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Yes, casual employees in Western Australia are entitled to long service leave if their employment is considered “continuous” due to a regular and systematic pattern of work. The specific circumstances of your employment are key to determining eligibility.
Think your long service leave is wrong? Your union can help
Don’t let your hard-earned long service leave go unpaid. Just like the member in Geelong who narrowly missed out, many Victorian workers are unaware of their full entitlements. If you suspect your long service leave calculation is incorrect, or you’re owed a payout, your union can provide expert advice and representation. We’ll help you understand your rights, deal with your employer, and chase what you’re owed. Join your union today for support.
Go deeper
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