Leave Loading: Extra Money When You Take Holidays
- Leave loading adds 17.5% to your annual leave pay.
- Check if you’re entitled to this bonus won by Australian Unions.
Ever heard of getting paid MORE when you go on holidays? That’s leave loading – and it’s one of the awesome benefits unions fought for and won.
What Is Leave Loading?
Leave loading is a bonus payment on top of your normal annual leave pay. Think of it as extra cash in your pocket when you take time off – usually an extra 17.5% on top of what you’d normally earn.
So if you’d usually get paid $1,000 for a week off, with leave loading you’d get $1,175. Nice, right?
Do I Get It?
Not everyone gets leave loading automatically – it depends on your award or enterprise agreement. The good news? Most modern Awards include it.
How to find out if you’re entitled:
- Check your award or workplace agreement
- Ask your employer when you book annual leave
- Talk to your union rep (they’ll know exactly what you’re entitled to)
How Does It Work?
When do you get paid?
Leave loading usually gets paid at the same time as your annual leave pay. It’ll show up on your payslip during your normal pay cycle.
What if I quit or get fired?
Good news – if you leave your job and have unused annual leave, you should get paid out for both the leave AND the leave loading.
What about super?
Your employer should be paying superannuation on your leave loading – it counts as ordinary time earnings (but if it’s paid out because your job has ended, you might not be eligible for super on this payment).
Calculate Your Leave Loading
Want to work out how much you should get? Use this formula:
Annual Leave Loading = 4 × 17.5% × Your Weekly Pay
For example, if you earn $800 per week: 4 × 17.5% × $800 = $560 leave loading per year
Why Leave Loading Matters
Leave loading was won by the union movement back in the 1970s. Workers who relied on overtime and penalty rates needed help maintaining their income when they took holidays – and unions made it happen.
This is exactly why being in a union matters. Benefits like leave loading don’t just appear – they’re fought for and protected by workers standing together.
Know Your Rights
- Leave loading is your entitlement (if it’s in your award)
- Always check your payslip to make sure you’re getting what you’re owed
- If something doesn’t look right, talk to your union
Not sure if you’re getting what you deserve? Join your union – they’ll make sure you get every cent you’re entitled to.
Questions about your entitlements? Your union is here to help. Because when workers stick together, we all do better.
Are you already a union member?
When it comes to workplace rights, unions are the experts. Reach out to your union for more specific information about how you and your workmates can make the most about your rights at work.
Not yet a member?
Joining your union is the most powerful decision you can make to protect your rights at work.