Scheme registration for workers
The new Community Services Industry (CSI) portable long service leave scheme is mandatory for eligible workers in NSW. It is the responsibility of your employer to register you with us if you are eligible in the scheme.
On this page
Workers eligible under the scheme
Eligible types of community service work
Your employer’s registration obligation
Foundation worker bonus
Your rights to appeal
How to prepare for the scheme
Contact us
Related information
Workers eligible under the scheme
The scheme covers full-time, part-time, and casual workers who either:
- carry out community service work, or
- work for an employer whose predominant purpose is to provide a community service.
The scheme is optional for self-employed contractors engaged in community service work. They can choose to opt-in by registering as an eligible worker.
The scheme does not cover all workers in community services. For example, partners or directors, or individuals directly employed by Federal, State or local government authorities.
To learn more about workers eligible under the scheme, see Who is covered by the scheme.
Eligible types of community service work
Community service has specific meaning in the Community Services Sector (Portable Long Service Leave) Act 2024. Schedule 1 of the Act outlines 31 types of community services.
To learn about the community services work covered under the scheme, see Community service work covered by the scheme.
Your employer’s registration obligation
From 1 July 2025, eligible employers will be required to register for the scheme. At this time, no individual workers will be registered.
Employers must do a self-assessment to understand how many of their workers are eligible in the scheme.
Workers are registered in the scheme through the lodgement of employer service returns. As part of your employers’ quarterly service returns, they inform us of the number of workers they employ who carry out community services work and who those people are. This process automatically registers workers in the scheme.
It is important you speak with your employer to check if they have registered in the scheme from 1 July 2025.
From April 2026, if you have been working in the community services industry from 1 July 2025 to 31 March 2026, you may wish to speak with your employer to ensure they have included you in the first service return.
Penalties may apply for employers who have not registered eligible workers within the timeframe specified in the Act.
Self-employed contractors who choose to register as workers in the scheme must record their own service and pay the levy for any work performed. They must lodge quarterly returns including the:
- number of days worked during the period
- total ordinary payment for this work.
Contact us or speak with your employer if you’re unsure about whether you are eligible in the scheme.
Foundation worker bonus
The CSI scheme enables eligible workers to claim up to 6 weeks of paid leave after 7 years (2555 days) of service to the industry. However, foundation workers will receive 1 year of bonus service credits, meaning they may claim their long service leave a year earlier.
Foundation workers are:
- registered workers who were employed in the first 6 months of the scheme’s commencement (1 July to 31 December 2025), or
- self-employed contractors who opt into the scheme as workers and were doing paid community service work in the first 6 months of the scheme's commencement (1 July to 31 December 2025).
Your rights to appeal
Workers should contact us if you think your employer has made a mistake in:
- registering you in the scheme
- not registering you in the scheme
- incorrectly recording your service history.
How to prepare for the scheme
Speak with your employer prior to the scheme’s commencement on 1 July 2025, to check if they intend to register you in the scheme.
From April 2026, a new online portal will be available to registered workers to allow you to view your service history and download an annual statement.
Updates will be available on this website. If you would like to receive email updates, complete our subscription form.
Contact us
For more information contact us by phone or email.
Call: 13 14 41
Email: communityservices@longservice.nsw.gov.au
Related information
Community Services Sector (Portable Long Service Leave) Act 2024
Who is covered by the scheme
Community service work covered by the scheme
Worker frequently asked questions
