Longserviceleave.com

Queensland building and construction portable long service (QLeave)

Construction workers in Queensland build up long service with QLeave. Your service is recorded as service credits, not with one employer. QLeave pays you, but the weekly amount is capped. From 1 July 2026 the cap is $2,548 a week.

By Sri Murugan Systems ยท Rules last reviewed

Estimate your scheme entitlement

QLeave

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

From your service statement or the member portal.

$

The scheme caps the weekly rate at $2,548.

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 QLeave under its own rules. Check your service record with the scheme.

Who is covered

  • Eligible workers who do building and construction industry work for the majority of their ordinary hours (s 3A).
  • This includes employees, labour-only or substantially labour-only contractors, working supervisors and leading hands, and appointed WHS safety officers (s 3A).
  • Results-based contractors who supply plant and tools and are liable for defects are not covered (s 3A).
  • Not covered: managerial, clerical, professional or ancillary roles; partners sharing in management or profits; government and local government employees; Mount Isa Mines Limited; and employers not substantially in the industry, except labour hire (s 3B).

When you qualify

You need 2,200 service credits, which is at least 10 years. You can earn at most 220 credits a year.

What you get

You get 8.67 weeks after 10 years (2,200 service credits), then leave keeps accruing at the same rate for each extra day (s 57(1)). You are paid the lesser of your ordinary weekly pay and a weekly cap set by the Minister each financial year (s 59, s 59A). The cap is $2,548 a week for claims paid from 1 July 2026. It was $2,462 for 2025-26 and $2,381 for 2024-25. Each payment must be at least 5 days unless it is your last (s 59(5)).

Leaving early, illness, retirement and death

  • Leaving the industry or death: a pro rata payment of 8.67 weeks x your service / 10 years (s 57(2)-(3)).
  • To qualify you need at least 1,540 days of service, or at least 1,155 days plus 7 years registered (including a corresponding interstate register), and you must intend to permanently stop work in the industry (s 57(2)).
  • Workers credited with retrospective credits can get pro rata from 5 years (s 57(1A)-(1B)).
  • There is no separate age-55, retirement or invalidity entitlement in the Act.
  • A personal representative can claim for a deceased worker (s 56(4)).

How it is paid

QLeave pays you from the fund. Taking-leave claims and standard leaving claims are taxed using the ATO weekly tax table. Leaving claims because of genuine redundancy, invalidity or early retirement have 32% withheld.

How to claim

Claim online through the QLeave building and construction portal at https://onlineservices.qleave.qld.gov.au/. QLeave's 'Steps to claim online' page walks you through it. Each claim must be at least 5 days unless it is your last.

Before you rely on this

  • The weekly cap is $2,548 from 1 July 2026. If you earn more than that, QLeave pays the cap, not your full weekly pay (s 59, s 59A).
  • The cap is reviewed and set before each 1 July. The cap that applies is the one for the financial year your claim is paid in.
  • Leaving claims for genuine redundancy, invalidity or early retirement have 32% tax withheld. These reasons do not give you an earlier entitlement.

The scheme and its law

Common questions

What is the QLeave weekly cap for 2026-27?

$2,548 a week for claims paid from 1 July 2026. It was $2,462 in 2025-26 and $2,381 in 2024-25 (s 59A).

Can I get paid if I leave the industry before 10 years?

Yes, if you have at least 1,540 days of service, or 1,155 days plus 7 years registered, and you intend to stop working in the industry permanently (s 57(2)).

Can I claim at age 55 or on retirement?

Not as a separate ground. The Act has no age-55, retirement or invalidity entitlement. Retiring only matters if you also meet the leaving-the-industry test (s 57).

What is the smallest claim I can make?

5 days, unless it is your last payment (s 59(5)).

Official sources

Last reviewed 3 November 2026.