NSW Long Service Leave Guide

From 1 March 2026, the guidance is in effect and is designed to support clearer and more consistent application of the Long Service Leave Act 1955.

The Act itself has not changed. However, as the regulator, NSW Industrial Relations has updated its guidance on how certain provisions of the Act should be interpreted and applied. This updated guidance applies from 1 March 2026.

 What’s changed?

 The updated guidance includes a step-by-step guide on calculating long service leave accruals and payments. It also clarifies how to:

• assess continuous service
• assess absences for casual workers
• determine entitlements for workers on fixed term contracts
• calculate ordinary hours of work for workers with fluctuating hours
• decide when to use ordinary remuneration and when to use average weekly wage
• treat bonuses for long service leave purposes
• manage the taking of a single day of long service leave, including payment and accrual impacts
• treat accruals after 15 years of service