Under 7 years: nothing is payable, whatever the reason (s 8(2)(b)).
From 7 to under 10 years: an ordinary resignation, such as leaving for another job, gets nothing (s 8(3)). You are paid pro-rata only if you resign because of incapacity or domestic or other pressing necessity that justifies leaving, if illness justifies ending your employment, or if you have reached retirement age (s 8(3)). WorkSafe Tasmania's example: an employee with 9 years who resigned because of ill health was paid 7.80 weeks.
If you are thinking of resigning between 7 and 10 years, check whether one of those reasons applies to you first. WorkSafe Tasmania says that in the illness and pressing necessity cases you 'may be entitled', so the reason needs to be serious enough to justify leaving. It also notes that being forced to resign (constructive dismissal) may create an entitlement.
10 years or more: you are paid all your untaken leave, plus an extra amount for the time since your last 5-year block, including part years (s 8(2)(a)(iii)). It is paid as if your leave started on the day your job ended (s 12(4)). WorkSafe Tasmania's example: an employee who resigned after 13 years, 6 months and 14 days was paid 11.73 weeks.
Because part years count after 10 years, you do not lose value by resigning just before a work anniversary. But before 10 years, resigning even one day short of 10 years can mean the difference between nothing and a full 8.67 weeks.
Your pay is your ordinary pay, without overtime (s 11). If your hours are not fixed, it is based on your average weekly hours over the last 12 months (s 11(6)).
Common questions
Do I get long service leave if I resign after 8 years in Tasmania?
Not for an ordinary resignation (s 8(3)). You may be paid if you resign because of illness, incapacity or pressing necessity, or have reached retirement age.
Do I get long service leave if I resign after 12 years?
Yes. After 10 years your untaken leave and the extra amount for part years are paid whatever the reason (s 8(2)(a)(iii), s 12(4)).
What counts as pressing necessity?
The Act says it must be incapacity or domestic or other pressing necessity of a nature that justifies ending the job (s 8(3)). WorkSafe Tasmania says that in these cases you 'may be entitled', so it depends on your circumstances.
Official sources
- Long Service Leave Act 1976 (Tas)Tasmanian Legislation Online
- Long Service Leave Regulations 2017 (Tas)Tasmanian Office of Parliamentary Counsel
- Long service leaveWorkSafe Tasmania
Rules last reviewed 3 November 2026.