Workers

We usually process claims within 1 to 4 business days. If a claim needs review by a team member or input from an employer, it may take up to 15 business days or more. This depends on how complex the claim is and how long it takes to collect the information we need.

Peak periods such as Christmas, Easter, school holidays and end of financial year often have longer than average processing times due to the volume of claims we receive. Always make sure to submit your online claim well in advance if you are thinking of taking your long service leave at any of these times.

Log in to the LeavePlus portal, then select the ‘Submit a Claim’ tab from the menu. You can set up your access on our Online services page.

Submitting your application

All Long Service Leave Benefit claims must be submitted in the state or territory in which your most recent service was recorded. If your last service (60 or more days) was recorded in Victoria, then LeavePlus will be happy to process your claim.

Online submission

All claims for a Long Service Leave Benefit must be submitted online using our secure online portal.

Log in to the LeavePlus portal, then select the ‘Submit a Claim’ tab from the menu. You can set up your access on our Online services page.

What you need

Before you begin, it’s a good idea to have scanned copies and/or readable photos of your most recent 3 payslips ready to upload. Most claim applications will automatically present you with a rate of pay to accept, but in some cases, payslips may be required to calculate the rate of pay for your benefit payment.

You will also need the details of the bank account you would like your benefit payment to be deposited into.

We will also ask you for your tax file number but you are not obliged to provide it. LeavePlus is authorised to collect this so that we can withhold tax in accordance with the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (Cth). If you choose not to provide it, LeavePlus will still process your claim but we will be required by law to withhold tax and the Medicare Levy at the top marginal rate rather than any other rate which might usually apply to your earnings.

Once you have collected all the information you need, simply log in to our online portal, select the ‘Submit a Claim’ tab from the menu, then:

1. Complete the details requested in the online claim form.
2. Upload your payslips at the end of your application, if requested.
3. Wait for your confirmation email.

If you need to send payslips to us separately, please email them to claims@leaveplus.com.au

To register your email address with us for the first time or if you’re unable to submit an online claim, please call 1300 264 683. Our team will be happy to help you.

Standard claims

Currently, employed Workers can claim any available entitlements ranging from 1 week (5 days) as a minimum, your total balance as a maximum, or anything in between. It’s up to you. Just make sure that any time to be taken off work has been agreed upon between yourself and your Employer in advance.

You may be offered a rate of pay in your claim which reflects your Ordinary Pay as reported to LeavePlus by your current Employer.

Unemployed claims

Unemployed workers can still claim any available entitlements ranging from 1 week (5 days) as a minimum, your total balance as a maximum, or anything in between. It’s up to you.

If you want to claim all of your available Long Service Leave Benefit, just tick the ‘All’ box. Otherwise, please nominate how many weeks and days you would like to claim.

Most claim applications will automatically present you with a rate of pay to accept. In some cases, payslips or other confirmation from your Employer may be required to calculate the rate of pay for your benefit payment.

If you wish to cancel your claim because you have found work before your claim payment has been made, contact us immediately and request that your claim be cancelled. All requests for the above issues can be emailed to claims@leaveplus.com.au or can contact us by phone on a 1300 264 683.

When you contact us, make sure that you quote your LeavePlus member number and full personal details for identification purposes.

Left industry claims

If you submit a claim as you have left the industry or retired, your entire available Long Service Leave Benefit entitlement will be paid out to you, as this will be classed as an eligible termination payment. This includes all Service recorded up until your termination date (and any annual leave or RDOs paid out), so we will need to verify any Service that has not been recorded up until your finish date.

Cashing out long service leave

LeavePlus recommends that Long Service Leave Benefit entitlements be used to take a well-earned break from work.

If you wish to claim long service leave payments but not take any time off work, there is nothing in our rules to prevent you from doing so. Just make sure that your employer is aware that you are claiming your Long Service Leave Benefit but not taking any time off work as unpaid leave.

Please also consider any tax implications. Long service leave payments are classed as a taxable income. Claiming your benefit while still working will increase your total taxable income for the year.

Your Long Service Leave Benefit is paid directly into your chosen bank account. Simply provide your BSB number and account details in the application form. Pay careful attention when entering your bank account details on the claim form. Incorrect bank account details will delay the payment of your claim.

When your claim has been approved, we will email you to let you know when to expect your benefit payment. Please note that you need the agreement of your current Employer before taking any leave from work.

Your benefit payment will be deposited to you in one transaction, subject to tax (calculated at a weekly equivalent, rather than on the whole amount).

We will provide you with a pay summary to advise of the gross payment details and amounts of tax withheld.

Tax free threshold

When completing a Long Service Leave claim application form, you must answer the Tax Free Threshold Section of the claim form.  Select either yes or no to claiming the Tax Free Threshold on your payment.

LeavePlus cannot provide advice on whether an individual is eligible to claim a tax free threshold.

If you would like to find out more information regarding your eligibility to claim the Tax Free Threshold, please visit the Australian Tax Office’s website.

Note: You are not obliged to provide your tax file number (‘TFN’) to LeavePlus when you claim. LeavePlus is authorised to collect your TFN so that we can withhold tax in accordance with the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (Cth). If you choose not to provide it, LeavePlus will still process your claim but we will be required by law to withhold tax and the Medicare Levy at the top marginal rate rather than any other rate which might usually apply to your earnings.

Extending your leave

If your Long Service Leave Benefit claim is still in progress and has not yet been paid to you by LeavePlus, you can advise us of your request to extend your period of Long Service Leave via email at claims@leaveplus.com.au or please call us on 1300 264 683.

If your benefit has already been paid out to you, then you cannot extend that claim, as it is a completed transaction. You will need to submit a new Long Service Leave Benefit claim to extend your leave.

It’s important to remember that no money or dollar value is associated with your Service record as a worker in Victoria.* It only includes a record of the time you have built up with LeavePlus from performing covered work.

Rate of pay calculations

The rate of pay for your Long Service Leave Benefit claim is based on your Ordinary Pay from your current or most recent job in the industry. Your wage information is regularly provided to LeavePlus by your Employer(s). We use this information to calculate a rate of pay when you submit a claim for a Long Service Leave Benefit.

By accepting the rate of pay presented in your claim, you won’t need to provide any payslips or further information. Payment will generally occur within 1 to 3 business days from application when you accept the rate of pay offered

Employer wage verification

If we are not able to calculate your rate of pay from the wage information held, we may initiate the ‘Employer Wage Verification’ option. This prompts your Employer to supply us with further wage information so that we can quickly progress your claim.

In some cases, where we may not be able to either immediately present a rate of pay in your claim or use the ‘Employer Wage Verification’ option, we may ask you to provide payslips to understand the Ordinary Pay for your work.

In some cases, LeavePlus may determine that your Long Service Leave Benefit claim will be paid at a rate that is below your most recent Ordinary Pay. LeavePlus will contact you to explain our decision and you will be given the opportunity to put your case prior to your benefit being decided and paid.

Read more below to learn how various working circumstances can affect your benefit payment amount.

Full-time employed

If your current or most recent job is or was performing work that is covered by LeavePlus, we may require copies of your 3 most recent payslips to determine your rate of pay. The payslips you provide must be from the weeks immediately preceding the date on which your Long Service Leave Benefit claim application is received by LeavePlus (or if you no longer perform covered work at the time of your claim, the most recent time that you did).

Please note that if your application is submitted in advance of taking your leave, the rate of pay for your benefit payment will be calculated according to your payslips supplied to LeavePlus at the time of your Long Service Leave Benefit claim.

When completing your Long Service Leave Benefit claim online, you may be presented with a rate of pay to accept for your claim. This is determined using the Ordinary Pay details provided to LeavePlus by your most recent Employer(s). You can choose to accept this rate of pay or, if you don’t accept it, we will contact your Employer or ask for payslips. This process will take longer.

Your rate of pay will be calculated in accordance with your standard hours of work per week (usually a 36-hour or 38-hour week after RDO deductions), multiplied by your standard hourly rate, plus any applicable allowances. Any hours worked outside or in excess of your standard contracted hours are not included as part of your rate of pay.

Depending on when your last service was accrued, LeavePlus may index your rate of pay using current Wage Price Index information.

Part-time employed

Permanent employees who are on part-time hours can claim a Long Service Leave Benefit. The rate of pay per week will be calculated as if that Worker is working a full-time week. Whether that week is classed as a 36-, 38- or a 40-hour week depends on the terms of your employment agreement as determined by LeavePlus on the information available.

If your current or most recent employment in the construction industry has been on a casual basis, the gross weekly wage rate for your claim will be calculated based on the average weekly wage reported to LeavePlus over the last 260 days (52 weeks) of Service by your most recent Employer(s).

This calculation method is applied to determine the rate of pay for all claims made by Workers employed on a casual basis. Depending on when your last service was accrued, LeavePlus may index your rate of pay using current Wage Price Index information.

Where your most recent Service has not or is not yet due to be reported by your current or most recent Employer, this Service information will not be included when calculating an average weekly wage for your Long Service Leave Benefit claim.

You may be offered a rate of pay when you submit your claim online. If you accept the rate of pay offered, your Long Service Leave Benefit claim will be paid at this rate and will usually be paid within 3 business days.

If you do not accept the rate of pay offered in your claim, a Claims Consultant will contact you. Should it be determined that you are employed on a casual basis (or were employed on a casual basis when last employed in the construction industry), your benefit will be calculated in exactly the same manner as the rate offered to you online.

Your rate of pay is inclusive of most allowances such as site, tool, leading hand, height etc.

Allowances that will not be included as part of your benefit payment are:

• meals
• travel and fares
• living away from home allowance
• accommodation & CRIB
• annual leave loading.

Your benefit does also not include any allowances earned during hours worked outside or in excess of your ordinary contracted hours of work.

LeavePlus will review the allowances paid to you in the last full week of pay preceding your claim to determine the allowances that will be included.

Calculated rate of pay

The rate of pay for your claim will be calculated in accordance with your Ordinary Pay received as a Worker Director. LeavePlus is regularly updated with your wage information via your quarterly Returns. We use this information to calculate a rate of pay when you claim a Long Service Leave Benefit.

By accepting the rate of pay presented by LeavePlus for your claim, you will avoid needing to provide any payslips or further information. Payment will generally occur within 1 to 3 business days from application when you accept the rate of pay offered

Complex claims

Some claims are more complex and will require additional time and information to process.

We may request further information and financial documentation to determine a rate of pay for your claim that is consistent with the documentation you provide.

If you are unable to provide sufficient evidence of your actual remuneration, LeavePlus may pay your claim at the Minimum Ordinary Pay Rate for your trade.

Working Sub-Contractors often have more than one component to their entitlement having accrued Service in 2 different ways; some while being self-employed and some while employed as a Worker.

Any Working Sub-Contractor component consists of a refund of the voluntary Long Service Leave charges you have paid, together with the interest earned on those accrued payments.

If your claim includes both service as a Working Sub-Contractor and as a Worker (employee), LeavePlus will calculate the Worker component by reference to your last applicable rate as a Worker, which may be adjusted to account for inflation (if any) since that service was recorded. If you still have payslips from your most recent time as a Worker, you must provide these with your Long Service Leave Benefit claim application. Taxation will be withheld from any portion of Worker entitlement claimed and remitted to the ATO directly by LeavePlus. Details of any taxation deducted can be viewed via your MyGov account.

Read more about how your Worker entitlement is calculated.

Interstate

If nominated in your claim application, LeavePlus can include any applicable interstate entitlement as part of your benefit payment. However, the rate of pay for any interstate component cannot be determined by LeavePlus. It will be determined by the long service leave scheme for the state or territory in which that entitlement was accrued.

If you need to query the rate of pay for any interstate component of your claim, please visit our Interstate Schemes page for the contact details of the relevant interstate Long Service Leave Scheme.

Shift

A Shift Worker is a person who is being paid on a ‘shift rate’, performing afternoon or night shifts on a permanent and continuous shift roster or permanent rotating roster, i.e. working shifts that are continuously rostered for the same hours and times.

Shift claims are processed in accordance with the Shift Process and the High Wage Policy as required.

Work will be classed as continuous shift when the roster is not interrupted, other than when a Worker is on paid leave. Redeployment from an afternoon or night shift to a day shift is deemed as interrupting continuous shift work.

The following timeframes determine the rate of pay for Long Service Leave Benefit claims for Workers who are engaged in performing continuous afternoon or night or permanently rotating shift rosters:

• Less than 3 Months: Payment will be at your ordinary rate of pay (‘Ordinary Pay’) prior to you starting on the afternoon / nightshift or rotating shift.
• 3 to 6 Months: Payment will be at the average rate of pay that you have received over the last 12 months.
• More than 6 Months: Payment will be at the afternoon, night shift or rotating shift rate that you currently receive.

Offshore

An offshore Worker normally works in 14- or 28-day cycles. There are various different types of cycles which can be worked within these periods, for example:

• Fortnightly: 8 days on 6 days off, or 7 days on 7 days off
• Monthly: 14 days on 14 days off, or other as determined by the Employer.

Long Service Leave Benefit payments will be calculated at the weekly equivalent concurrent with the cycle performed, for example:

• 2-week cycle earnings will be divided by 2 to equal a weekly rate of pay for your claim
• 4-week cycle earnings will be divided by 4 to equal a weekly rate of pay for you claim.

The cycle payments are paid at ordinary rates inclusive of all applicable penalty rates and any applicable allowances.

In some cases, the liability for your Long Service Leave Benefit may lie partly with LeavePlus and partly with your Employer. There are two main categories for shared liabilities:

• Partially covered trades: Where a Worker performs a trade that is not covered for 100% of their working time, so they have less than 7 years’ service with LeavePlus, but have been with the same Employer for over 7 continuous years
• Promoted out of the scheme: Where a Worker has had a certain amount of service recorded with LeavePlus that is less than 7 years due to having received a promotion where the new role is not work that is covered by LeavePlus, but they have been with the same Employer for 7 continuous years.

In both cases, you can claim for Long Service Leave, but you must claim it directly through your Employer. LeavePlus will then reimburse the Employer for our share of the liability that was paid out to you.

Employer reimbursement process

Where an Employer may have paid the full liability directly to a Worker when claiming long service leave (typically when the Worker has been with the same employer continuously for 7 or more years), there may be a liability which is to be reimbursed to the Employer by LeavePlus, dependent on the service accrued by the Worker to whom long service leave was paid.

Employers can submit an Employer Reimbursement claim in the LeavePlus Employer portal. Log in to LeavePlus and select My Claims from the main menu. Choose the Worker from the list who the reimbursement claim relates to, then enter all the required information. The details you submit in your completed form enable LeavePlus to work out how much of the long service leave liability is to be reimbursed back to the employer.

Important: In the case that an Employer pays a Worker Long Service Leave directly and wishes to claim reimbursement for a portion of the leave paid, the Employer must make that request to LeavePlus within 12 months of making the payment to the Worker.