Portable Long Service Leave

In South Australia, employees who spend at least half of their time on site performing building services, electrical or metal trades work are entitled to portable long service leave. This means they don’t have to work with the same employer for 10 years to be eligible for long service leave.

Employers of eligible workers are required by law to register with Portable Long Service Leave, lodge Employer Returns and pay a levy based on 2% of remuneration (excluding overtime). 

However, if a construction worker receives a promotion or undertakes a different role while remaining employed by the same company but is no longer considered to be a ‘Construction Worker’. They are no longer eligible to accrue a portable long service leave entitlement under the Construction Industry Long Service Act 1987 (CILSL Act) and instead transition to the Long Service Leave Act (State Act).

Why does portable long service leave exist?

Portable long service leave exists because the construction industry is mostly project-based meaning workers frequently move from project to project and employer to employer and it has been recognised that most workers in construction would not achieve long service leave entitlements. Portable Long Service Leave was established so the long service leave could be taken form employer to employer as long as you stayed in the industry.

What do you need to do?

You must register with Portable Long Service Leave within one month of employing workers covered by the scheme. 

An Employer Return will be issued every two months for completion , lodgment of the return and payment of the levy must be made by the due date. Penalties apply for late lodgment or payment.

Due Dates are as follows:

Source: www.portableleave.org.au