About the scheme
The NSW Government is introducing a new Community Services Industry portable long service leave scheme on 1 July 2025. Find information about the scheme.
About the portable long service leave scheme
Long service leave is an additional period of paid leave that workers may be entitled to after working for a company for a certain number of years.
Many workers in the community services industry work for different employers. They don’t always have 10 years of service with 1 employer to qualify for long service leave.
The NSW Government is addressing this issue by bringing in a new portable long service leave scheme (the scheme) on 1 July 2025, known as the Community Services Industry (CSI) scheme.
Under the new scheme, workers become eligible for long service leave after 7 years of service to the industry with 1 or more employers. This long service leave will allow eligible workers to claim up to 6 weeks’ long service leave with payment based on ordinary wages (not including overtime). It doesn’t need to be taken straight away or all at one time.
In some cases, such as a worker permanently leaving the industry, workers may be eligible to apply for a pay-out of their long service leave.
The new scheme will be supported via a levy paid quarterly by eligible employers and any self-employed contractors who opt-in to the scheme.
From 1 July 2025, employers with 1 or more workers in the Community Services Industry in NSW will be required to register with the Long Service Corporation and begin recording worker service.
The lodgement of the service returns and levy payments for the first 3 quarters (9 months) will be due from April 2026. This will give employers time to prepare their quarterly service returns and budget for levy payments.
The section of the Act for worker registrations takes effect from April 2026.
Workers who appear on the first 2 service returns (1 July to 31 December 2025) will receive an automatic foundation worker bonus of 365 days of service credits to their record.
The scheme does not over-ride the requirements of the Long Service Leave Act 1955. Under the Long Service Leave Act, employees are entitled to long service leave if they work for one employer for 10 consecutive years.
Related information
Who is covered by the scheme
Community service work covered by the scheme
