FOR EMPLOYERS IN THE VICTORIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Looking back with pride, looking ahead with purpose
As we continue celebrating 50 years serving Victoria’s construction industry, we’re reflecting on what the scheme has achieved since 1976, and the people who have made it possible. In the past five decades, LeavePlus has welcomed more than 850,000 workers to the scheme.
This would not have been possible without the thousands of employers who have been compliant and contributed to the scheme and helped construction workers access the benefits they have earned.
While this milestone gives us an opportunity to look back, it also reinforces the importance of looking ahead. The construction industry has transformed significantly over the past 50 years, and LeavePlus has evolved alongside it.
We’ve navigated economic cycles, industry change, compliance challenges and shifting expectations, continually improving the way employers and workers interact with the scheme. Today, we’re undertaking one of the most significant transformations in our history, investing in new ways of working, new processes and systems that will strengthen our services and make it easier to manage and access portable long service leave.
In this edition, you’ll find information about our updated Privacy Policy, which strengthens transparency around how we collect, use and protect personal information. We’re also highlighting important changes to scheme coverage that took effect on 1 July, with certain lift and escalator work now covered by LeavePlus. If this change affects your business, I encourage you to read the article below to understand your obligations and the support available from our team.
As we look to the future, our focus remains on making it easier to interact with LeavePlus, helping employers meet their obligations and ensuring eligible workers can access the portable long service leave benefits they have earned.
It’s the same purpose that has guided us for the past 50 years and will continue to guide us in the years ahead.
Craig Bell
Chief Executive Officer, LeavePlus
LeavePlus Updates
Let’s take a look at some of the key messages and current talking points from LeavePlus.
Quarterly Returns Due 14 July
Quarterly Returns Due 14 July
Your quarterly return for April-June 2026 is now ready to complete.
Deadline: 14 July 2026.
How to submit:
1. Log in to your LeavePlus portal
2. Click on Returns in the left menu
3. Open the current quarter’s return
4. Record your workers’ service details
5. Submit your return
Important: quarterly returns are required by law. Late or incorrect submissions can result in penalties and interest charges. Learn about your obligations.
Know someone else who should be registered?
Share this newsletter with them!
50 YEARS STANDING WITH THE PEOPLE WHO BUILD VICTORIA
This year, LeavePlus turns 50. That’s five decades administering the portable long service leave scheme for the construction industry in Victoria, growing and protecting the fund, and making sure your workers get the leave they deserve.
Over the past 50 years, we have…
Welcomed over 850K workers to the scheme
Registered over 85K employers
Approved more than 350K claims
So, as we mark this milestone in our East Melbourne office where we have been for over 40 years, we want to say thank you.
You’re the people who built the Victoria we love, and who continue to shape the state in remarkable ways.
Here’s to another 50 years standing behind you.
“The people who build this state deserve a break. They always have. For fifty years, making sure they get it has been our purpose and our privilege.”
Craig Bell, CEO LeavePlus
THE HIGHLIGHTS
1975: After years of campaigning and industrial action, the Building Industry Long Service Leave Act was enacted in 1975. Construction workers finally have the same right to long service leave as everyone else.
1980: The organisation moves into 478 Albert Street in East Melbourne — the building that remains our home today. We surpass $1 million paid in benefits in that year.
1992: The name CoINVEST is adopted.
1997: CoINVEST privatises, with full responsibility for the Fund passed to us as Trustee.
2002: Launched online portal.
2016: In our 40th year of operation, total benefits paid under the scheme since creation surpass $1 billion.
2023: CoINVEST rebrands as LeavePlus
2024: Project Elevate, our digital transformation program, launches. Albert Street refurbishment commences.
2025: Albert Street refurbishment completed. The Member Centre opens.
2026: LeavePlus scheme celebrates 50 years being here for members.
WE'VE UPDATED OUR PRIVACY POLICY
We’ve made some updates our Privacy Policy to be transparent about the data we collect, how we use and protect your data, and to reflect our evolving business processes.
WHAT HAS BEEN UPDATED?
+ We have clarified what personal data we collect and why.
+ We have added clearer information about digital tools and technologies, including cookies, analytics, personalisation, and our use of AI and computer assisted decision making tools.
+ We have improved transparency around how we may share your data with trusted third parties and where they are located to support core business activities, such as employer compliance checks, identity verification or company look up services.
+ We’ve changed the information included in employer compliance checks so that authorised users can see all workers on a return in order to verify that service is being reported correctly for everyone.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
You do not need to take any action, but we encourage you to read the updated Privacy Policy to stay informed.
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR LEAVEPLUS
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR LEAVEPLUS
We’re continuing to improve the way we support members with technology upgrades that are already helping us process claims faster and deliver a smoother experience.
There’s more work underway, and while some changes are happening behind the scenes, each planned improvement is helping us to build a stronger, more connected service for workers and employers.
+ RELEASED: FASTER CLAIMS PROCESSING
Recent technology upgrades for our member support and case management teams are helping us improve processing times for claims and enquiries.
These changes connect more of our systems and give our teams better tools to manage member interactions, track progress and respond more efficiently. It’s an important step in creating a simpler, faster and more consistent experience with LeavePlus.
+ IN DEVELOPMENT: UPGRADED RETURNS
We’re improving the returns process to make it easier for employers to complete and manage returns. Feedback from our industry members is helping shape the upgrades, so the process is clearer, simpler and more useful.
These changes will also help workers stay better informed, with more timely updates when employers report service for their workers.
We’re continuing to improve the way we support members with technology upgrades that are already helping us process claims faster and deliver a smoother experience.
There’s more work underway, and while some changes are happening behind the scenes, each planned improvement is helping us to build a stronger, more connected service for workers and employers.
+ RELEASED: FASTER CLAIMS PROCESSING
Recent technology upgrades for our member support and case management teams are helping us improve processing times for claims and enquiries.
These changes connect more of our systems and give our teams better tools to manage member interactions, track progress and respond more efficiently. It’s an important step in creating a simpler, faster and more consistent experience with LeavePlus.
+ IN DEVELOPMENT: UPGRADED RETURNS
We’re improving the returns process to make it easier for employers to complete and manage returns. Feedback from our industry members is helping shape the upgrades, so the process is clearer, simpler and more useful.
These changes will also help workers stay better informed, with more timely updates when employers report service for their workers.
LIFT AND ESCALATOR COVERAGE
LIFT AND ESCALATOR COVERAGE
In consultation with industry bodies and the Victorian government, the coverage of the LeavePlus scheme can expand to include new types of work. Here’s a reminder about upcoming changes to the scheme rules which welcomes additional work relating to lifts and escalators into the coverage of the scheme.
+ REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
While installation of lifts and escalators is already covered under the rules, repair and maintenance will also be welcomed into the LeavePlus scheme.
+ CHANGES FROM 1 JULY 2026
Effective 1 July 2026, repair and maintenance of lifts and escalators is covered. This means that any service relating to this type of work will first be reported on your Jul-Sep 2026 return in October 2026, due on 14 October 2026.
+ QUESTIONS AND QUERIES
If you want further clarity about these changes and what it means for you or your workers, simply read our helpful guide.
In consultation with industry bodies and the Victorian government, the coverage of the LeavePlus scheme can expand to include new types of work. Here’s a reminder about upcoming changes to the scheme rules which welcomes additional work relating to lifts and escalators into the coverage of the scheme.
+ REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
While installation of lifts and escalators is already covered under the rules, repair and maintenance will also be welcomed into the LeavePlus scheme.
+ CHANGES FROM 1 JULY 2026
Effective 1 July 2026, repair and maintenance of lifts and escalators is covered. This means that any service relating to this type of work will first be reported on your Jul-Sep 2026 return in October 2026, due on 14 October 2026.
+ QUESTIONS AND QUERIES
If you want further clarity about these changes and what it means for you or your workers, simply read our helpful guide.
LEAVEPLUS PERFORMANCE
LeavePlus has experienced another standout year of performance. We’re thrilled to take you through our highlights.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT
The Finance & Investment department ensures the Fund remains robust and our investments are working to benefit our members.
Funding ratio (assets to liabilities) as at 31 May 2026
%
Year to date return to the Fund at 31 May 2026
%
Funds under management as at 31 May 2026
$
B
Asset Classes
Portfolio structure comprises 80% growth assets and 20% defensive assets
Equities
The best performing asset of the July 2025 to May 2026 period was Equities, with a return of 5.97%
$244.9M
Paid to members in long service leave benefit claims in the July 2025 to May 2026 period
$275.3M
Contributed to the Fund in in Long Service Leave Charges in the period July 2025 to May 2026
MEMBER SERVICES
Around 70,000 of our nearly 300,000 members are currently eligible to claim long service leave through LeavePlus. Member enquiries and interactions typically rise in tandem with key periods of the year, such as holidays and end of financial year.
No matter the demand, our service remains guided by our purpose, ‘Here For Members’—putting our members at the centre of everything we do.
15,201 LSL benefits paid
Through our peak periods, we saw a huge uptake in applications to claim a long service leave benefit between September 2025 and March 2026.
$151M paid in benefits
The September 2025 to March 2026 period saw a large amount of long service leave benefit payments, averaging more than $21M per month.
38,331 calls taken
A high volume of phone calls were handled by our member response team in the September 2025 to March 2026 period, with an average of over 5,400 per month.
LEGAL & COMPLIANCE
The Legal and Compliance department plays an important role at LeavePlus. It helps ensure members follow the Act and scheme rules.
The teams register employers, explain their responsibilities, and work with them to make sure returns are submitted and payment of long service leave charges are made on time.
Unpaid & Late Charges Recovered
Our Employer Obligations team made over 19,000 calls in the September 2025 to March 2026 period, resulting in payment of millions of dollars in long service leave charges to LeavePlus.
4,175 employers registered
The Registrations team launched several outreach campaigns in the September 2025 to March 2026 period. More than 4,000 employers registered with LeavePlus in that time, with the Registrations team helping them understand their long service leave obligations.
2,271 cases resolved
The Service Investigations team resolved a huge number of cases in the September 2025 to March 2026 period, recovering missing service for members linked to non-compliant employers in Victoria.
LEGAL APPEAL DECISION IMPACTS
LEGAL APPEAL DECISION IMPACTS
Court of Appeal confirms LeavePlus coverage for Energy Australia’s Yallourn workers.
On 5 May 2026, the Victorian Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed Energy Australia Yallourn’s (EAY) appeal regarding whether workers who repaired and maintained power generation equipment were performing construction work for the purposes of the LeavePlus scheme. The Court agreed with an earlier Supreme Court decision that EAY’s electrical maintenance workers are covered by the LeavePlus scheme.
The decision provides important clarity for employers and workers by confirming that:
+ The “substantial character” test argued by EAY is not the correct way to determine whether an employer is in the construction industry under the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Act 1997 (Act).
+ When deciding whether a worker is covered by the scheme, the key question is whether they’re employed to perform construction work in the construction industry.
+ An employer can be in the construction industry because of the work its workers perform, even if construction work is done in-house and is not the employer’s main or profit-generating business.
+ An employer can operate in more than one industry at the same time.
+ EAY is substantially engaged in the construction industry due to the scale and significance of its maintenance and repair work at the Yallourn power station.
+ Large-scale planned maintenance and repair work can be construction work under the Act, even when it is carried out regularly.
The period for any further appeal has now expired, and EAY didn’t lodge another appeal.
Court of Appeal confirms LeavePlus coverage for Energy Australia’s Yallourn workers.
On 5 May 2026, the Victorian Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed Energy Australia Yallourn’s (EAY) appeal regarding whether workers who repaired and maintained power generation equipment were performing construction work for the purposes of the LeavePlus scheme. The Court agreed with an earlier Supreme Court decision that EAY’s electrical maintenance workers are covered by the LeavePlus scheme.
The decision provides important clarity for employers and workers by confirming that:
+ The “substantial character” test argued by EAY is not the correct way to determine whether an employer is in the construction industry under the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Act 1997 (Act).
+ When deciding whether a worker is covered by the scheme, the key question is whether they’re employed to perform construction work in the construction industry.
+ An employer can be in the construction industry because of the work its employees perform, even if construction work is done in-house and is not the employer’s main or profit-generating business.
+ An employer can operate in more than one industry at the same time.
+ EAY is substantially engaged in the construction industry due to the scale and significance of its maintenance and repair work at the Yallourn power station.
+ Large-scale planned maintenance and repair work can be construction work under the Act, even when it is carried out regularly.
The period for any further appeal has now expired, and EAY didn’t lodge another appeal.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR EMPLOYERS
The decision provides greater certainty about how coverage under the LeavePlus scheme is assessed. Employers should focus on the work their workers perform when determining whether they may have obligations under the scheme, rather than relying solely on the primary purpose or industry classification of their business.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR WORKERS
Workers can have confidence that where they are employed to perform construction work in the construction industry, they will accrue service towards a long service leave benefit, even if their employer operates across multiple industries or construction work is not the employer’s main business activity.
If you have any questions, contact LeavePlus on (03) 9664 7677.
CoINVEST Limited as Trustee for the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Fund (trading as LeavePlus) ABN: 35 078 004 985.
- 478 Albert St, East Melbourne
- 1300 264 683
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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.