Key changes to Victorian long service leave entitlements announced

On 8 May 2018, the Victorian Parliament repealed the Long Service Leave Act 1992 (Vic) (Current Act) and passed the Long Service Leave Act 2018 (Vic) (New Act). The New Act introduces key changes to Victorian employees' long service leave entitlements including long-awaited reforms which are more favourable for parents.

The key changes are outlined below:

• long service leave entitlements under the Current Act crystallise after an employee has attained 10 years' 'continuous employment' without any ability to take long service leave before that time, although a pro-rata entitlement is payable to an employee on termination in some circumstances after seven years' 'continuous employment'. Under the New Act, however, on completing seven years' 'continuous employment', employees are entitled to take an amount of leave on ordinary pay