Longserviceleave.com

Victorian community services portable long service

Victoria's Portable Long Service Authority (PLSA) runs a portable scheme for community services workers. The scheme began on 1 July 2019, and only service from that date is portable. Your service is recorded by the Authority, not one employer.

By Sri Murugan Systems ยท Rules last reviewed

Estimate your scheme entitlement

Portable Long Service Authority

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.

$

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 Portable Long Service Authority (PLSA) under its own rules. Check your service record with the scheme.

Who is covered

  • Full-time, part-time, casual, seasonal and fixed-term workers providing community services in Victoria.
  • Services include disability, NDIS-funded activities (from 1 January 2020), homelessness, family violence, youth, community legal and home care.
  • People who support, supervise or manage service provision.
  • Community health centres and women's health services.
  • Non-profit licensed children's services. For-profit providers are not covered.

When you qualify

You need 7 years of recognised service under the scheme. Only service from 1 July 2019 counts.

What you get

You get 1 week for every 60 weeks of recorded work, available after 7 years. It is paid as a cash benefit based on your ordinary pay when you apply. You do not need to take leave. No superannuation is paid.

Leaving early, illness, retirement and death

  • Leaving-the-industry claims are available, but they still need 7 years of recognised service. Reasons include retirement, redundancy, total and permanent incapacity and permanent departure.
  • Claims for a deceased worker also need 7 years of recognised service.
  • There is no pro rata payment below 7 years.

How it is paid

The Authority pays the cash benefit into your nominated bank account, net of tax. No tax is withheld on death claims.

How to claim

Claim through the PLSA member portal at https://portal.plsa.vic.gov.au/Public/Member. The PLSA's claiming page explains the steps for community services workers.

Before you rely on this

  • Leaving the industry does not shorten the 7-year requirement.
  • If you are already entitled to traditional long service leave with your employer, you cannot claim portable benefits.
  • Your registration may become inactive after more than 4 consecutive years without covered work.
  • No superannuation is paid on the benefit.

The scheme and its law

Common questions

Do I have to take time off to claim?

No. The community services benefit is paid as cash, so you do not need to take leave.

Can I claim when I retire before 7 years?

No. Leaving-the-industry claims, including retirement, redundancy, total and permanent incapacity and permanent departure, still need 7 years of recognised service.

How much do I get?

1 week for every 60 weeks of recorded work, available after 7 years, paid at your ordinary pay when you apply.

Is tax taken out?

Yes, the benefit is paid net of tax. No tax is withheld on death claims.

Official sources

Last reviewed 3 November 2026.