FOR EMPLOYERS IN THE VICTORIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

CEO Welcome

Craig Bell

Chief executive officer , LeavePlus

Easier claims, strong returns, and some key dates

As we enter the final stretch of 2025, I want to share some exciting updates. As you know, we’ve been working hard on a big transformation project to improve how we support workers and employers in the building industry. This means better systems, faster service, and easier ways to get the help you need.

Most recently, we’ve upgraded our ID checking process so it’s much easier for you to verify your identity when required. We’ve also improved the long service leave claim form and made it available to more members. That means it’s easier for workers to claim their well-earned break – even from a mobile device. These updates will help make sure your personal information is safe, and claims are processed smoothly. You’ll read more about these improvements below.

On the financial side, the Fund remains in a robust financial position. Our long-term investment strategy, designed to meet future liabilities, has delivered positive results across all asset classes. Equities led the way, achieving a return of 15.65% for the financial year. This contributed to a 6.3% increase in the accrued funding ratio, which now stands at 131.7%. These results reflect the Fund’s resilience and the careful financial management underpinning our approach.

Given these favourable market conditions, we’re able to offer an attractive interest rate of 9.33% to Working Sub-contractors for the 2025 financial year. This outcome is possible thanks to smart investment decisions and strong leadership from our Investment team, Investment Committee and the Board. Their leadership ensures we can continue to deliver strong returns and reward our members for their hard work.

And finally, a reminder that our Annual Beneficiaries Meeting is coming up soon. It’s a chance for us to share with you a few highlights of what we’ve achieved, outline our future plans, and hear from you. We’ll discuss in more detail how the transformation project is going, how the Fund is performing, and what’s next for LeavePlus. We hope you’ll join us.

We’re excited about what’s ahead and look forward to sharing more with you soon.

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 October

The July to September 2025 quarterly return is now available for employers to complete on the LeavePlus Portal.

The due date for submission is 14 October 2025.

As the industry regulator and administrator of the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Scheme, LeavePlus applies strict legal and financial consequences for employers who fail to comply with their registration, reporting, and payment obligations under the Scheme.

If you require assistance or are unable to submit your return before the due date, please call our Member Services team on 03 9664 7677 or 1300 264 683.

All employers should familiarise themselves with the requirements as an employer under the Act and the Scheme Rules and the consequences of non-compliance.

ANNUAL MEETING FY2025

The purpose of the Annual Meeting of Contributors, Beneficiaries and Potential Beneficiaries (Annual Meeting) is to table the annual audited financial statements of the Fund and the auditor’s certificate regarding the remuneration appropriated out of the Fund.

The Annual Meeting also provides an opportunity for attendees to hear from our Board of Directors and CEO on how LeavePlus is performing as well as to raise any questions you have regarding the operation of the Fund.

We will be publishing the ‘Fund Report 2025’ on our publications webpage in advance of the Annual Meeting to report on the Fund’s performance for the 2024-2025 Financial Year (FY2025). The Annual Meeting will be held at 5:00pm on Tuesday 25 November 2025 at the LeavePlus Member Centre (Ground floor, 478 Albert Street, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002). In accordance with the Notice of Annual Meeting, all Contributors, Beneficiaries, and potential Beneficiaries are invited to attend the Annual Meeting.

If you would like to attend the Annual Meeting in person or via video link, please register your interest at our Annual Meeting webpage by 11 November 2025.

CHRISTMAS CLAIMS

CLAIMING BENEFITS BEFORE CHRISTMAS? APPLY BY 07 NOVEMBER

The Christmas and New Year break is fast approaching. We hope you and your team enjoy a well-earned rest, and return refreshed in January.

Will your workers be claiming long service leave benefits before the end of the year? To receive payments in time for the Christmas break, they should submit their claim as soon as possible, and no later than Friday, 7 November 2025.

Please note that submitting by this date does not guarantee payment will be made in time for Christmas. Claims submitted after 7 November, might not be paid out until early 2026.

This is a peak claims period for LeavePlus, so we encourage early submissions to avoid delays. And we appreciate your support in reminding your workers to get in early.

EASIER, FASTER CLAIMS

We’ve rolled out more updates to the new claims experience that we launched in April. And now all workers (except working sub-contractors) will automatically see the new experience when they start a claim.

We know members can’t always complete the claim form in one go. So rather than having to exit and start again later, we’ve added the ability to save what’s been entered. That means you can come back to the form later when you have the time or information you need to finish your claim.

And you no longer need to call us to find out what stage your claim is at. The Claims list now shows if the claim has been processed or if a payment is on its way.

We’re working on more updates, and we’ll soon make the form available to working sub-contractors too. Thanks for your feedback so far, and we look forward to hearing what you think of the new experience.

A SMARTER, SAFER WAY TO VERIFY IDENTITY

In September, we introduced a new online identity check that’s quick, safe, and simple. The secure process makes it easier for members to prove who they are when claiming benefits.

Before, members had to join an online meeting or visit us in person to verify their identity. Now, they can do it in their own time, in just a few minutes. All they need is a mobile phone, internet access, and one or two forms of ID.

Here’s how it works: If we need to verify your identity, we’ll send you a link by SMS. The link takes you to a secure form with instructions on how to take a selfie and provide photos of your ID. We’ll use your information and photos to verify your identity.

This new system helps us stop fraud, saves time, and makes things easier for everyone. It also means fewer delays and faster payments for members. To learn more, refer to our Identity verification webpage.

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.