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ARTICLE · 16 MARCH 2026

NSW Long Service Leave: Key Takeaways From The Updated Guidance

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

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Last week, NSW Industrial Relations released updated long service leave (LSL) guidance, including a step-by-step guide (the Guide) and updated FAQs outlining the application...

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Drew Pearson
Drew Pearson
Shivchand Jhinku
Shivchand Jhinku
Jessica Light
Jessica Light
Stephanie Blancquart
Stephanie Blancquart
Olive Brown
Olive Brown
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Last week, NSW Industrial Relations released updated long service leave (LSL) guidance, including a step-by-step guide (the Guide) and updated FAQs outlining the application of the Long Service Leave Act 1955 (NSW) (the Act) to the calculation of LSL accruals and payments. 

The Guide addresses several areas of the Act that have not previously been the subject of detailed guidance and clarifies some of the frequent queries that employers are faced with when interpreting and applying the (somewhat complex!) NSW LSL regime outlined in the Act. For employers, it also reflects the preferred view of NSW Industrial Relations as the regulator for the Act. 

While the Guide outlines a range of issues that are likely to be useful, we have summarised below four key areas of the Guide where there has been a shift or clarification, and that we consider will be particularly useful to employers. 

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