Long service leave and wages

If you have an entitlement to long service leave, and you are experiencing financial hardship, or you require extra funds due to unforeseen personal, family or other circumstances, you may be entitled to have your long service leave paid out in part, or in a lump sum. You should check with your employer or payroll department to see whether you are eligible.

You may also be entitled to receive a payment for the balance of any long service leave accrued on the termination of your employment. Please refer to 'Proportionate payment (pro-rata) of long service leave on termination of employment' below.

For a more detailed guide on making an application to the commission for a payment of a long service leave entitlement download a copy of the Payment instead of taking long service leave application guide.

It costs nothing to make an application for payment of a long service leave.

Yes. If your application is granted, the lump sum payment is subject to the tax rates as set by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Generally, your payroll department will deduct the amount and then deposit the money into your nominated bank account. If you are unsure how much tax will be deducted, please contact either the ATO or your payroll department.

To apply to have your long service leave paid out, download and complete a Form 13 – Application for payment instead of taking long service leave.

Form 13 can be filed at the Industrial Registry via the following methods:

In most instances the Industrial Registry (the Registry) will communicate with you by email. If you have not provided an email address on your Form 13 then the registry will be in contact with you requesting that you provide an email address. If you do not have an email address then the registry will communicate with you by post.

After your application is successfully filed the registry will send you and your employer a directions order which sets out who needs to do what, and by when, for the application.

For more information about making an application see "Part 3: Applications" of the Payment instead of taking long service leave application guide.

There is no set definition for 'financial hardship' or 'compassionate' grounds. Generally, applicants who are entitled to access their Long Service Leave in this way, and who are experiencing difficult times, or financial hardship can apply to the Commission. 

Applications are granted for various reasons, and some of the more common reasons can include:

• overdue bills
• credit card debts
• outstanding mortgage or loan repayments
• rent in arrears, or pending eviction
• funeral costs
• medical or surgical costs
• separation or divorce
• other unexpected family or life events
• other unforeseen circumstances.

If your reason for applying is because of financial hardship then you must attach evidence to the Form 13 that demonstrates your financial position – the list of income, expenditure, assets, is an effective way of quickly summing up your finances.

This depends on many factors including whether you have a valid application, the time it takes for both yourself and your employer to respond to the Directions Orders, and other unforeseeable delays. Generally, a valid application made without any delays can take up to four weeks until funds become available to you.

Once you have made an application you will receive a directions order. A directions order sets out who needs to do what and by when. An example of a directions order can be found in the guide: "Part 4: Directions order" of the Payment instead of taking long service leave application guide.

Most applications are decided on the material that has been filed. However, in a few instances the commission may wish to speak with you about your application to clarify some points or request further information. The hearings are usually informal and conducted over the phone.

For a more detailed guide on making an application to the commission, download a copy of the Payment instead of taking long service leave application guide.

If your employment has been terminated, and you've completed the required period of service then you may be eligible to have your accrued long service leave paid out pro-rata in a lump sum.

Applications are granted for various reasons, and some of the more common reasons can include:

• The employee was unable to continue working due to illness or incapacity
• The employee was experiencing a domestic or other pressing necessity
• The employee's service was terminated because of the employee’s death
• The employer dismissed the employee for a reason other than the employee’s conduct, capacity or performance
• The employer unfairly dismissed the employee

If you are unsure whether you qualify, you may make an application to the Commission. There is no fee associated with making the application.

It costs nothing to make an application for payment of pro-rata long service leave.

Yes. If your application is granted, the lump sum payment is subject to the tax rates as set by the Australian Taxation Office.

To apply to have your long service leave paid out, download and complete a Form 14 - Application for proportionate payment of long service leave.

Form 14 can be filed at the Industrial Registry via the following methods:

In most instances the Industrial Registry (the Registry) will communicate with you by email. If you have not provided an email address on your Form 14 then the registry will be in contact with you requesting that you provide an email address. If you do not have an email address then the registry will communicate with you by post.

The Commission may be able to assist you in recovering unpaid wages from your current or previous employer. Wages can include:

• unpaid salary or wages generally
• Long Service Leave, or other leave owing of which you are entitled
• superannuation contributions.

The total amount of the claim cannot exceed $50,000. If your claim exceeds this amount then you may be able to make an application to the Magistrates Court.

A claim for unpaid wages must be made within 6 years from when the amount became payable.

The following can make an application for unpaid wages:

• an employee
• an employee organisation acting for an employee or an eligible employee (where the claim includes superannuation) who is a member of that organisation
• a person authorised by an eligible employee to make an application acting on the employees behalf
• an inspector.

To apply for a type of unpaid wage mentioned above, download and complete a Form 15 - Application to recover unpaid wages, superannuation contributions etc.