Under seven years: nothing is payable when you resign.
Seven to ten years: you are paid pro rata based on 8.67 weeks for ten years, counting your whole period of employment including part years (s 8(3)). In a WA government example, Riley resigns after eight years, four months and five days and is paid 7.24 weeks.
Ten years or more: you are paid any untaken blocks, plus pro rata for each completed year since your last block (s 8(2)(c)). Part years after your last completed year are not paid.
WA government example: Mike resigns after 18 years and six months. He is paid 8.67 weeks for the first ten years, 4.33 weeks for the next five, and 2.6 weeks for three completed years after that, which is 15.6 weeks in total. His last six months do not count. Each period is paid at his average hours for that period, which totals 481 hours.
If you are close to a completed year, the timing of your resignation matters after ten years.
You are treated as starting your leave on the day you finish, and the full amount must be paid that day (s 9(2), s 9(2A)).
Resigning generally breaks your continuous employment. WA government pages say earlier service is not usually counted if you are re-employed, though it depends on the facts.
Common questions
Do I get long service leave if I resign after eight years in WA?
Yes. Between seven and ten years, resignation qualifies for pro rata (s 8(3)). In a WA government example, eight years pays 6.94 weeks.
Do I lose part years if I resign after ten years in WA?
Yes. After ten years only completed years since your last block are paid (s 8(2)(c)). Months and days after your last completed year are not counted.
When must my employer pay my long service leave after I resign in WA?
On the day your employment ends (s 9(2A)).
Official sources
- Long Service Leave Act 1958WA Parliamentary Counsel's Office
- Guide to the Western Australian Long Service Leave ActDLGIRS Private Sector Labour Relations
- WA long service leave calculatorDLGIRS Private Sector Labour Relations
Rules last reviewed 3 November 2026.