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Worker Member Newsletter: Edition 1 2025

Your quarterly newsletter to keep LeavePlus members up to date with the latest developments and news from your Construction Industry Long Service Leave Scheme.

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Worker Member Newsletter: Edition 1 2025

LeavePlus Loop

Your quarterly newsletter to keep LeavePlus members up to date with the latest developments and news from your Construction Industry Long Service Leave Scheme.

Homepage
Contact Us
LeavePlus Loop Newsletter

Made For Members

LeavePlus is proud to support members of the Victorian Construction Industry to take their well-earned break using their portable long service leave. You work in a demanding industry, so you're not just going to want a break, you're going to need one. Portable long service leave means you can take your leave with you and make use of that benefit when you need it most. This benefits you, your employer, and the industry as a whole with a workforce that's ready to go again after taking time out to recharge.

Benefits
LeavePlus Loop Newsletter

Made For Members

LeavePlus is proud to support members of the Victorian Construction Industry to take their well-earned break using their portable long service leave. You work in a demanding industry, so you're not just going to want a break, you're going to need one. Portable long service leave means you can take your leave with you and make use of that benefit when you need it most. This benefits you, your employer, and the industry as a whole with a workforce that's ready to go again after taking time out to recharge.

Benefits

Checked your service lately?

Your Employer reports to LeavePlus the days you have performed Construction Work in the Construction Industry in Victoria every three months. Your Oct-Dec 2024 Service was due to be reported by your Employer on 14 January 2025, and your Jan-Mar 2025 service is due to be reported by 14 April 2025.

Have you checked that your October-December 2024 Service is up to date?
Now is a great time to log in and check that all your Service has been recorded correctly.

Log in to LeavePlus

Checked your service lately?

Your Employer reports to LeavePlus the days you have performed Construction Work in the Construction Industry in Victoria every three months. Your Oct-Dec 2024 Service was due to be reported by your Employer on 14 January 2025, and your Jan-Mar 2025 Service is due to be reported by 14 April 2025.

Have you checked that your all your Service for Financial Year 2023-24 has been reported by your Employer?
Now is a great time to log in and go through your FY2024 Statement of Service in the LeavePlus Portal.

Log in to LeavePlus

Your Questions Answered

Here are the most common questions that LeavePlus members are asking right now:

Is CoINVEST now LeavePlus?

You asked:

I used to have my portable Long Service Leave with CoINVEST. Is LeavePlus the same thing or something different?

We answered:

CoINVEST changed its name to LeavePlus on 14 August 2023. It’s still us – just with a new name that more accurately represents what we do. Victoria’s construction industry has relied on us since 1976 to administer the portable long service leave Scheme. We have navigated a lot of change in the industry over that time, and this change is part of a larger transformation project and vision to become the best operator of a portable entitlements scheme.

Our visual branding, brand name, and website have all changed from CoINVEST to LeavePlus, but the Scheme itself and how it works remains the same. Rebranding to a new name has no effect on the Service, Entitlements, or Benefits of our members. 

CoINVEST becomes LeavePLus

Is LeavePlus compulsory?

You asked:

Do I have to be part of LeavePlus, or can I choose a different portable Long Service Leave provider?

We answered:

All Workers performing Construction Work for Employers in the Construction Industry in Victoria are required to be part of LeavePlus. This is the law under the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Act 1997 (Vic).

The LeavePlus scheme is compulsory and there’s no other provider of portable long service leave for the Construction Industry in Victoria.

Your Employer is required to register with LeavePlus and to report to LeavePlus the number of days of Construction Work you have performed, as well as the Ordinary Pay you received for that work. This is done quarterly and builds up your record of Service. The Employer then pays a Long Service Leave Charge into the LeavePlus Fund.
Once you have 7 years of Service with LeavePlus, you can claim a Long Service Leave Benefit from LeavePlus to fund your long service leave.

Employer Obligations

How can I contact LeavePlus?

You asked:

What’s the best way to contact LeavePlus if I have a question?

We answered:

For any questions about your Service record or member profile, we recommend logging into the LeavePlus Portal. This ensures faster processing, as your identity will already be verified, and also allows you to securely attach documents or files through the Your Files feature in the portal.

For general enquiries or queries from non-members, use the ‘Online Enquiry’ button on our Contact Us page.

If you need to come in and speak to someone face to face, we welcome you to come and visit our new Member Centre on the ground floor of our home at 478 Albert Street East Melbourne. Scroll down to learn more about our Member Centre.

Contact LeavePlus

New claim form launches 8 April 2025

New claim form launches 8 April 2025

We’re excited to launch our new and improved claim form on 8 April 2025. When you log in to the LeavePlus Portal to claim a Long Service Leave Benefit to fund your well-earned long service leave break, you will be presented with the option to use the existing claim form or try out the new version.

The new form is designed to streamline the claim process using smarter features. We will continue to make improvements and add new features based on our members’ experiences, and we can’t wait to get your feedback.

+ MODERN LOOK

You will notice a new modern look to the form, complete with updated LeavePlus branding and a cleaner layout.

+ MODERN FEEL

We’ve simplified the process with easy-to-follow steps and user-friendly instructions. Instead of one long form, we’ve now condensed each step into new sections with clear headings and guidance text for ease of use.

+ MODERN FEATURES

We have included new features such as pre-populating your information into the form, real-time checks, pop-up boxes and tool-tips to make your application easier to complete.

Learn more

We’re excited to launch our new and improved claim form on 1 April 2025. When you log in to the LeavePlus Portal to claim a Long Service Leave Benefit to fund your well-earned long service leave break, you will be presented with the option to use the existing claim form or try out the new version.

The new form is designed to streamline the claim process using smarter features. We will continue to make improvements and add new features based on our members’ experiences, and we can’t wait to get your feedback.

+ MODERN LOOK

You will notice a new modern look to the form, complete with updated LeavePlus branding and a cleaner layout.

+ MODERN FEEL

We’ve simplified the process with easy-to-follow steps and user-friendly instructions. Instead of one long form, we’ve now condensed each step into new sections with clear headings and guidance text for ease of use.

+ MODERN FEATURES

We have included new features such as pre-populating your information into the form, real-time checks, pop-up boxes and tool-tips to make your application easier to complete.

Learn more

Member Centre Completed

Member Centre Completed

In April 2024, work began on refurbishing the ground floor area at 478 Albert St, East Melbourne. Futurespace was entrusted with design development, working closely with LeavePlus to achieve the objectives of creating compelling experiences in spaces that foster collaboration and community, and ultimately bring people together.

SHAPE was appointed as the contractor responsible for bringing this vision to life, working tirelessly over the last year to deliver a stunning new space. We’re thrilled to share the final result with you and take you through some of the key features of our new member centre. 

+ ATRIUM SPACE

We’ve extended the previously recessed ground floor facade of the building to meet the profile of the floors above. This now creates a uniform footprint and facade for the whole building. It has transformed the previously underutilised vertical space to create an inviting atrium. With comfy lounge chairs nestled in amongst lush greenery and natural finishes, members and guests alike can relax in comfort when visiting LeavePlus.

+ MEMBER LOUNGE

We know that not every query can be handled over the phone or online. So we wanted to create an inviting space where our members can come to speak with us directly when they need extra support. The lounge areas and open meeting spaces provide a relaxed setting where LeavePlus staff can sit down with our members and help resolve any queries together.

+ CONFERENCE FACILITIES

Carving out space for windows from the external concrete walls has opened up the space to new possibilities. The rear part of the member centre has now been converted into multi-use conference rooms and function spaces big enough to accommodate education sessions and seminars for our Employer and Worker members. The conference facilities feature retractable projector screens, presenter-tracking cameras, and directional microphones to ensure high quality presentations for both in person and online attendees.

In April 2024, work began on refurbishing the ground floor tenancy of our home at 478 Albert St, East Melbourne. Futurespace was entrusted with design development, working closely with LeavePlus to achieve the objectives of creating compelling experiences in spaces that foster collaboration and community, and ultimately bring people together.

SHAPE was appointed as the contractor responsible for bringing this vision to life, working tirelessly over the last year to deliver a stunning new space. We’re thrilled to share the final result with you and take you through some of the key features of our new member centre. 

+ ATRIUM SPACE

We’ve extended the previously recessed ground floor facade of the building to meet the profile of the floors above. This now creates a uniform footprint and facade for the whole building. It has transformed the previously underutilised vertical space and create an inviting atrium. With comfy lounge chairs nestled in amongst lush greenery and natural finishes, members and guests alike can relax in comfort when visiting LeavePlus.

+ MEMBER LOUNGE

We know that not every query can be handled over the phone or online. So we wanted to create an inviting space where our members can come to speak with us directly when they need extra support. The lounge areas and open meeting spaces provide a relaxed setting where LeavePlus staff can sit down with our members and help resolve any queries together.

+ CONFERENCE FACILITIES

Carving out space for windows from the external concrete walls has opened up the space to new possibilities. The rear part of the member centre has now been converted into multi-use conference rooms and function spaces big enough to accommodate educations sessions and seminars for our Employer and Worker members. The conference facilities feature retractable projector screens, presenter-tracking cameras and directional microphones to ensure high quality presentations for both in person and online attendees.

Towards the end of last year, LeavePlus launched its Workplace Wellness event series. Construction Industry Employers and industry peers were invited to join LeavePlus in our inaugural event to engage in conversations about why prioritising prevention may just be the secret to a happier, healthier life.

The breakfast event featured former AFL player and coach Nathan Buckley as MC, guiding a panel discussion on how to promote preventive wellbeing in the workplace, and in everyday life. Nathan was joined by Adam Schwab, CEO and co-founder of Luxury Escapes, and renowned lifestyle medicine expert, Dr Caroline West.

The event featured in-depth discussions around physical and mental health and some of the preventive practices you can put in place to help avoid burnout, become more energised, and take control over your wellbeing at work and in your personal life. While there were many insights to take in, we’ve compiled some of our favourites into bite-size collections that you can take back to your workplace and incorporate into your everyday lives.

Habits and programming

We become what we do regularly. That is to say; our habits have a profound effect on who we are. Visual cues and priming your environment are key to being able to start new beneficial habits or navigating away from negative habits.

Dr Caroline West recommends the best way to reinforce positive habits is by making something so easy to do that you can’t say no to it, even if you start with a putting just a small cue in your environment. It’s much harder to say no to exercising in morning if you have primed your environment the night before by putting out your runners and gym bag ready to go. With sustainable habits embedded in the process and your lifestyle, it becomes easier to be consistent. And with consistency, it’s even possible to train your brain to more resilient to stress. By changing your habits and programming, you can improve your mental fitness and decrease the likelihood of burnout from stress.

Rest before you need to

Rest is a vital part of our lives, but it’s especially important for those who work in physically demanding roles in the Construction Industry. That’s why your portable Long Service Leave through LeavePlus is there to help you take a well-earned break when you need it. But rather than waiting until you NEED to rest, it’s important to be proactive and recharge your battery before it becomes fully drained. Planning in advance and being mindful of what’s on the horizon can go a long way towards keeping your mental and social fitness in good shape, keeping you resilient.

Adam Schwab says that Luxury Escapes wants to inspire people to be proactive when it comes to taking a break. Booking a break BEFORE you feel like you need it means that, in addition to accessing better deals to help your wallet, you will also build more anticipation and positive energy with a longer lead-in time, as you will be working towards something. Booking data reveals that the optimal lead in time is around six months, and that 32% of travel is now based on wellness.

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Different types of breaks

Taking a break doesn’t have to be a month-long holiday at some far-off destination. Micro-holidays can offer the chance to reset without taking an extended break or spending big on an international trip. Getting away from your work routine for even a short time can give you the opportunity to reconnect with nature, exercise some mindfulness or meditation techniques, and simply reset your stress levels back to a sustainable level.

Even when you’re at home or taking a quick break on site, preventive wellbeing research has revealed that simply taking a quick nap can boost your energy and productivity and reduce stress. NASA has determined that the ideal nap time is just 26 minutes to maximise effects on job performance and alertness, and minimise the dazed or sluggish feeling commonly experienced from longer naps. Respect break time to recharge and regain focus and reduce decision-fatigue that can lead to poor outcomes.

Prioritisation and motivation

Put health and wellbeing on the agenda. When you prioritise preventive wellbeing practices, you ensure that you are always on the front foot rather than treating your mental and physical health as an afterthought. Nathan Buckley recommends that setting achievable goals can be a huge motivator.

Incorporating supporting practices together with motivational tools can help to reinforce positive outcomes. For example, building rewards systems within both existing and new habits helps to not only make the process more enjoyable, but it also makes it more likely that newly formed habits will stick so you can achieve the goals you have prioritised.

Fun and connection

Having an accountability partner can not only keep you motivated to stick to your commitments, but it’s also an avenue to make new connections or strengthen existing ones. When Nathan Buckley was at his lowest point just a few years ago, he made a commitment to go for a morning run with a mate. He credits this with helping him get out of a rut and start taking control of his life again. A primary motivator to keep going was that he had an accountability partner who he didn’t want to let down, and who would help bring his mood back up by connecting on a social and emotional level on a consistent basis.

Social connection and having fun make us more open to the world around us. In Nathan’s weekly football meetings as Collingwood coach, quirkiness would be built into the process to not only lighten the load and put the team at ease, but to also place them in a better frame of mind to receive instruction and feedback.

Dr Caroline West maintains that laughter is one of the fastest connection points. Belly laughing has been proven to reset hormonal pathways and has huge physiological benefits. Encouraging your team members to come up with creative ideas for fun and inclusion is a great foundation for boosting a sense of connection and friendship.

Surf's Up Around Victoria

Is there a more iconic Australian past time than surfing? While some of the more northern states might grab the limelight, Victoria's coastline offers some of the best beaches and surf in the nation. We're highlighting some of our favourite surf spots around our great state where you can take a well-earned break.

Surf's Up Around Victoria

Is there a more iconic Australian past time than surfing? While some of the more northern states might grab the limelight, Victoria's coastline offers some of the best beaches and surf in the nation. We're highlighting some of our favourite surf spots around our great state where you can take a well-earned break.

Retro bells

Bells Beach

Renowned for its powerful swells and iconic surf competitions, Bells Beach is a must-visit for serious surfers. Located near Torquay, it hosts the annual Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running surf competition.

The beach is famous for its consistent right-hand point breaks and stunning cliffside views, making it a legendary spot on the surf circuit.

Whether you’re watching the pros during the Rip Curl Pro or catching a wave yourself, the energy and beauty of Bells Beach are unmatched. The surrounding cliffs also offer excellent vantage points for spectators.

Bells Beach
Retro Fairhaven

Fairhaven

With its long sandy stretch and reliable waves, Fairhaven is perfect for both beginners and seasoned surfers. The beach is known for its scenic backdrop, including the iconic Pole House, and offers a relaxed setting for those summer surf adventures.

It’s an ideal spot for a day trip, providing not just great surf but also beautiful views and a peaceful atmosphere to unwind after a session in the water.

The nearby Great Ocean Road offers additional attractions and amenities, making Fairhaven a convenient and enjoyable destination for surfers and their families.

Fairhaven
Retro Thirteenth

Thirteenth Beach

This 4.5-kilometre coastline offers varied conditions for all skill levels. The beach is renowned for its rugged beauty and consistent surf breaks, making it a favourite among surfers.

The wide sandy beach, framed by sand dunes and crashing waves, is ideal for surfing, walking, and enjoying the views. It’s also a popular spot for dog owners, with designated off-leash areas.

The nearby Barwon Heads village provides charming cafes and shops, adding to the appeal of a day spent at Thirteenth Beach.

Thirteenth Beach
Cape Retro

Cape Woolamai

Known for its powerful breaks and scenic beauty, Cape Woolamai attracts surfers looking for a challenge.

The beach is part of a National Surfing Reserve and is famous for its dramatic landscapes, including the Pinnacles, and abundant wildlife. It’s a picturesque spot with crystal-clear waters, making every surf session a memorable experience.

The area is also known for its diverse marine life, including seals and dolphins, which can often be spotted from the shore or while surfing.

Cape Woolamai
Leo Retro

Point Leo

Point Leo offers gentle waves perfect for beginners and long-boarders. The beach is surrounded by low, vegetated basalt bluffs and features extensive rock platforms.

It’s a family-friendly spot with a Surf Life Saving Club and camping facilities, making it a great place to learn to surf or enjoy a leisurely day on the board with friends and family.

The nearby Point Leo Foreshore Reserve provides picnic areas and walking trails, enhancing the overall experience for visitors.

Point Leo
Retro Kilcunda

Kilcunda

Kilcunda’s consistent waves and stunning coastal views make it a favourite among surfers.

The beach is known for its natural beauty, with a mixture of cliffs and turquoise waters. It’s a popular spot for rock fishing, snorkelling, and exploring rock pools. The laid-back vibe and scenic surroundings make it perfect for a relaxing surf session.

The nearby Kilcunda Rail Trail offers a scenic route for cycling and walking, adding to the outdoor activities available in the area.

Kilcunda

CoINVEST Limited as Trustee for the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Fund (trading as LeavePlus) ABN: 35 078 004 985.

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LeavePlus acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.