Longserviceleave.com

NSW building and construction portable long service

If you work in building and construction in NSW, your long service can build up under the BCI Long Service Payments Scheme. The Long Service Corporation records your service and pays you, so changing employers in the industry does not reset your service. This guide covers who is covered, what you get and how to claim.

By Sri Murugan Systems ยท Rules last reviewed

Estimate your scheme entitlement

Long Service Corporation

Enter the service the scheme has recorded for you. This is an estimate; the scheme's own statement is what counts.

Whole and part years, from your service statement.

$

Before tax, without overtime.

Find your number and check your service

See how to find your registration number, the member portal and what to do if service is missing.

The state long service leave calculator does not apply to this scheme. If you are covered, your leave is worked out and paid by Long Service Corporation (LSC) under its own rules. Check your service record with the scheme.

Who is covered

  • Full-time, part-time and casual workers.
  • Contractors, including self-employed people, partners, trustees and working directors.
  • Direct supervisors and apprentices (but not government or council apprentices).
  • You must spend most of your time doing eligible building and construction work in the NSW private sector, for which a rate of pay is fixed by a prescribed award.
  • Government workers and work on Commonwealth places are not covered.

When you qualify

You need 10 years of recorded service. After that, a further payment becomes available for each additional 5 years.

What you get

At 10 years you get 8.67 weeks' pay (2 months). Each further 5 years adds one month's pay. You are paid at the award rate (or the certified agreement ordinary rate) for your type of work in your last 55 days of recorded service.

Leaving early, illness, retirement and death

  • 5 years of recorded service if you permanently leave the industry. Your registration is cancelled.
  • 55 days of recorded service if you are medically unfit for building work.
  • 55 days if you retire aged 55 or over, or retire with a veteran's pension.
  • 55 days on death, paid to your estate.
  • Interstate service can be combined. You lodge your claim in the state where your most recent service was recorded.

How it is paid

The Long Service Corporation pays you directly as a long service payment. You can instead take leave from your employer under the Long Service Leave Act 1955, and your employer then seeks reimbursement from the scheme. Tax is withheld at marginal rates using the ATO weekly tax table.

How to claim

Claim through the Long Service Corporation. Workers can log in to the BCI worker portal at https://longservice.my.site.com/bci/s/login/?type=Worker. The scheme's claiming page explains what you need. If your most recent service was recorded with another state's scheme, lodge your claim there.

Before you rely on this

  • Your payment rate comes from your last 55 days of recorded service, not your best year.
  • The test is the majority of your time. Mixed roles that are mostly non-construction work may not be covered.
  • Leaving the industry before 5 years gives no early payment unless you meet a 55-day ground.

The scheme and its law

Common questions

Do I lose my service if I change employers?

No. Your service is recorded with the scheme, so it continues across employers in NSW building and construction. Interstate service can also be combined.

Can I get paid if I leave construction before 10 years?

Yes, if you have at least 5 years of recorded service and permanently leave the industry. Your registration is then cancelled.

What rate will I be paid at?

The award rate, or the certified agreement ordinary rate, for your type of work in your last 55 days of recorded service.

Is tax taken out?

Yes. Tax is withheld at marginal rates using the ATO weekly tax table.

Official sources

Last reviewed 3 November 2026.