Longserviceleave.com

Long service leave when you resign in the Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, what you are paid when you resign depends on whether you have reached 10 years. Before 10 years, an ordinary resignation gets nothing (s 10(2)). After 10 years, the Act pays your whole long service leave credit (s 10(1)).

By Sri Murugan Systems ยท Rules last reviewed

Under 7 years: nothing is payable (s 10(2)).

From 7 to under 10 years: an ordinary resignation gets nothing (s 10(2)). You are paid 1.3 weeks per completed year only if illness, incapacity or domestic or other pressing necessity justifies leaving, or if you leave at or after the age at which you may retire (s 10(2), (c)).

10 years or more: the Act says that when you stop working for your employer, for any reason other than death or dismissal for serious misconduct, your employer must pay your whole long service leave credit (s 10(1), s 10(1A)). The credit is 1.3 weeks for each completed year, less leave taken (s 8(1), s 8(8)). After 12 years, for example, that is 15.60 weeks less any leave you have taken.

Be aware that nt.gov.au words this differently. It suggests payout is limited to retirement, employer termination and illness or pressing necessity, and to completed 5-year periods once the first 10-year leave is used. Those limits match the 7 to 10 year rule (s 10(2)) and the serious misconduct rule (s 10(1A)), not the rule for resignation after 10 years. This site follows the Act. If your employer relies on the nt.gov.au wording, point them to s 10(1).

Only completed years count, so time your resignation with your anniversary in mind (nt.gov.au). Unpaid leave and workers' compensation absences do not count as service (s 12(5), nt.gov.au).

Your payment is worked out year by year at your rate of pay on the day before you leave, multiplied by your weekly hours in each year (s 11(2)-(3)). It must be paid as soon as practicable after you leave (s 11(7)).

Common questions

Do I get long service leave if I resign after 10 years in the NT?

Yes. The Act pays your whole leave credit when you leave for any reason other than death or dismissal for serious misconduct (s 10(1), s 10(1A)).

Why does nt.gov.au say something different?

The nt.gov.au page describes the payout more narrowly than the Act. The Act is the law, so this site follows s 10(1).

Do I get anything if I resign after 8 years?

Not for an ordinary resignation (s 10(2)). You may be paid if illness or pressing necessity justifies leaving, or you have reached retirement age.

Official sources

Rules last reviewed 3 November 2026.