Long Service Leave in South Australia

Rules checked October 2026 · No signup — nothing you enter leaves your browser.

Work out your long service leave entitlement under the Long Service Leave Act 1987 (SA). Enter your service and weekly pay below to see your leave in weeks and its dollar value. The calculator is set to South Australia, and you can switch states if you need to.

SA at a glance

How SA long service leave builds up

You get 13 weeks after 10 years’ continuous service, then another 1.3 weeks for each subsequent year — but only for completed years. For example, 12 years 6 months = 15.6 weeks, not 16.25; the extra 6 months adds nothing until year 13 is completed. 10 years 6 months = 13 weeks.

The calculator shows the working with the SA rule: 1.3 weeks per completed year of service — part-years add nothing until the next year is completed. Figures are rounded for display; the engine accrues completed years only, so the displayed weeks may differ by a cent or two from hand maths on rounded weeks.

Leaving between 7 and 10 years

If employment ends at 7–10 completed years, you are paid pro-rata: 1.3 weeks per completed year at your ordinary weekly rate immediately before termination. Resignation qualifies — but only a lawful resignation: if you quit without giving the required notice period, pro-rata is forfeited. For example, resigning properly at 8 years pays 10.4 weeks; walking out without notice pays nothing.

The only two exclusions are dismissal for serious and wilful misconduct, and unlawful termination by the worker (no required notice). Under 7 years there is no entitlement on any exit, including death. If a worker dies at 7 or more years, the entitlement vests in their personal representative (their estate), less anything already taken or paid.

While still employed, pro-rata before 10 years is not payable as of right, only by agreement. Cashing out instead of taking leave is only possible at 10+ years, by written agreement signed by both parties; your employer cannot force it.

What counts as continuous service in SA

Changing between full-time, part-time and casual work does not break continuity, and casuals are covered on the same terms, with continuity possible through a series of contracts.

Casual employees are covered. Continuity can exist despite intermittent work through a series of contracts, and ordinary pay for casuals includes casual loading.

How SA long service leave is paid — ordinary pay

Long service leave is paid at ordinary pay: your base rate only. Ordinary pay excludes overtime, shift premiums and penalty rates. For casuals, ordinary pay includes casual loading.

If you are paid by results — piece rates or commission — ordinary pay is your average weekly earnings over the previous 12 months. Target bonuses and Christmas bonuses are not payment-by-result. The calculator takes a single weekly pay figure, so for commission or piece-rate work its dollar figure is an estimate: work out your 12-month average first and enter that as your weekly pay.

Hourly-paid or variable-hours workers (including part-time and casual) are paid on their average hours per week over the previous 3 years (156 worked weeks — unpaid-leave weeks are removed and replaced by working weeks) multiplied by the current hourly rate excluding overtime, shift and penalty rates. If your hours have varied, enter your average weekly hours. Accommodation normally provided adds its weekly value while you are on leave.

Taking leave: one continuous period with 60 days’ notice; splitting, deferral and taking in anticipation are possible by agreement.

Scope: these are the Long Service Leave Act 1987 (SA) minimums for most SA private-sector employees. An award, agreement or contract can be more generous, not less. The Act does not apply where the worker has an LSL entitlement under another Act or an award/agreement. Construction workers may be under the separate portable scheme under the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Act 1987 (SA) instead.

Worked examples

S1 — 10 years, still employed. Full-time, 38 hours a week at $40 an hour ($1,520 a week), 10 years of service: 13.0000 weeks = 494.00 hours = $19,760.00.

S2 — 15 years, still employed. Same pay, 15 years: 19.5000 weeks (13 + 5 × 1.3) = 741.00 hours = $29,640.00.

S3 — Resigns (lawfully) after 8 years. Same pay, employment ends by resignation with required notice given after 8 years: pro-rata applies: 10.4000 weeks = 395.20 hours = $15,808.00.

S4 — Part-time, ends after 7 years. Part-time, 30 hours a week at $40 an hour ($1,200 a week), employment ends by redundancy after exactly 7 years: 9.1000 weeks = 273.00 hours = $10,920.00.

SA vs other states

SA gives 13 weeks at 10 years, more than WA, NSW and Queensland (8⅔ weeks), but on a different basis: SA counts completed years only, while WA, NSW and Queensland accrue on exact fractions. SA's 7-year pro-rata window is broad — any lawful ending qualifies — except for the two exclusions above, including resignation without required notice. Compare the state pages or use the all-states calculator:

Frequently asked questions

Related calculators

This calculator provides general information and estimates only. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Awards, agreements and contracts may give you more, never less than the SA LSL Act minimums. Confirm your entitlement with your employer or SafeWork SA.