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Free calculator 2026–27 rates

Teacher long service leave calculator

See how much long service leave you've accrued under your state's rules, when you can take it, and what it's worth at full or half pay.

⚙Your details

10 years
100% (all full-time)

Salary

Long service leave accrued

8.8 weeks

Worth $22,579 at full pay · 10 years · New South Wales

At full pay

$22,579

8.8 weeks at $2,566 a week

At half pay

17.6 wks

$2,109 a fortnight after tax

After tax (full pay)

$16,958

$3,854 a fortnight

First entitlement

Now

8.8 weeks after 10 years; pro rata from 7

What this means

Under the NSW rules, you have built up about 8.8 weeks of full-pay leave, worth $22,579 before tax at your current salary. You have reached your first entitlement, so you can apply to take it.

Taken at half pay, the same leave lasts 17.6 weeks and pays $2,109 a fortnight after tax, instead of $3,854 at full pay. NSW also lets you take it at double pay for half the time (4.4 weeks). Long service leave taken as leave is taxed like normal salary. If you resign with a payable balance, a $22,579 payout would lose about $8,695 to tax at your marginal rate.

NSW rules: Called extended leave: 44 working days (about 2 months) after 10 years, then 11 working days for each further year. Pro rata access after 7 years. Can be taken at double pay for half the time.

Years of serviceWeeks accruedValue at full payAfter taxCan take?
5 years4.4$11,290$8,479Not yet
7 years6.2$15,805$11,871Pro rata
10 years8.8$22,579$16,958Yes
15 years13.2$33,869$25,437Yes
20 years17.6$45,158$33,916Yes
25 years22.0$56,448$42,395Yes
30 years26.4$67,737$50,874Yes
35 years30.8$79,027$59,353Yes
40 years35.2$90,316$67,832Yes

Accrual is shown in full-time-equivalent weeks and valued at your current full-time weekly salary (salary ÷ 52). It assumes continuous service and accrues evenly at 0.88 weeks a year (some states accrue faster after the first entitlement; check the rules above). Service with other employers or interstate may or may not count. After-tax figures use 2026–27 rates. Pay data: Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award 2024, verified 16 October 2026.

In short

Most Australian government teachers earn about three months (13 weeks) of long service leave after 10 years, with pro-rata access from 7 years. Victoria and the ACT give 3 months per 10 years, WA 13 weeks after 10 years, Queensland 1.3 weeks a year and NSW 44 working days. At WA Level 2.9, 13 weeks pays about $31,934.

How to use the long service leave calculator

  1. 1

    Choose your state

    Pick the state whose government school rules apply to you. The calculator loads that state's accrual rate and access rules.

  2. 2

    Enter your start date and service

    Enter when your continuous service began. Add any part-time periods or leave without pay, which can slow accrual.

  3. 3

    Enter your salary

    Pick your step, or type your salary, so the calculator can show what your leave is worth.

  4. 4

    Read your balance and options

    See weeks accrued, when you can take them and what they're worth at full pay, half pay or (where allowed) double pay.

Long service leave rules by state

Government school teachers, as researched 16 October 2026
StateEntitlementAccessNotes
NSW44 working days (about 2 months) after 10 years, then 11 working days a yearPro-rata from 7 yearsCalled extended leave; double-pay option
VIC3 months after 10 years, then 1.5 months per further 5 yearsPro-rata from 7 yearsHalf-pay option; pay in lieu possible in some cases
QLD1.3 weeks per year of service (13 weeks per 10 years)After 7 years
WA13 weeks after 10 years, then 13 weeks after each further 7 yearsPro-rata from 7 yearsFull, half or double pay
SANot verifiedPrior service can be recognisedCheck your HR portal
TASAfter 10 years' continuous employment (LSL State Employees Act 1994)Credited at least yearlyCap of 100 days unless approved
ACT3 months for each 10 yearsCumulative, no capCasuals included
NTSet by By-law 8 of the PSEM ActNot verifiedCommonly cited as 13 weeks after 10 years, unconfirmed

Sources: state legislation, agreements and department pages. Where we couldn't verify the amount, the calculator asks you to enter your weeks from your payslip or HR system.

If your state's figure isn't verified, the calculator won't guess. Enter the balance from your payslip or HR self-service and it will still work out the dollar value and half-pay options. For more on each state, see NSW long service leave, Victorian long service leave, Queensland long service leave and WA long service leave.

What your leave is worth

Long service leave is paid at your ordinary salary, so its value rises as you move up the scale. A week of leave is worth your annual salary ÷ 52. If you take it at half pay, you get twice as many weeks off at half the weekly rate; double pay (where allowed) halves the time off.

Worked example

WA teacher at Level 2.9 after 10 years

Salary (from 6 Dec 2025)
$127,737
Weekly rate (÷ 52)
about $2,456
Entitlement
13 weeks
Taken at half pay
26 weeks at about $1,228 a week
Value at full pay about $31,934 before tax

Arithmetic on the WA 2023 General Agreement scale. Tax is withheld at normal rates when leave is paid as ordinary pay.

Part-time, leave without pay and casual service

  • Part-time service usually counts for eligibility, but leave accrues and is paid at your part-time rate. If you've mixed full-time and part-time years, enter each period so the value reflects the mix.
  • Leave without pay may not count as service for long service leave. Long career breaks can push your date back.
  • Casual service counts in the ACT, where casuals are included in the long service leave rules. Elsewhere, check your state's rules.

Taking it, or cashing it out

Most teachers take long service leave as time off, often a full term. Requests usually need notice so the school can cover your classes. Victoria and some other states allow pay in lieu in limited cases; check your state's rules before you rely on it. If you're planning a long trip or a career break, combine leave with school holidays to stretch it further. Our guide to teacher long service leave in Australia covers notice periods and planning.

Free calculator

See what a week of leave pays after tax

Use your step's salary to see your fortnightly take-home while on leave.

Open the take-home calculator

Frequently asked questions

How much long service leave do teachers get?
Usually about 13 weeks after 10 years in government schools. Victoria and the ACT give 3 months per 10 years, WA 13 weeks after 10 years, Queensland 1.3 weeks per year and NSW 44 working days after 10 years plus 11 days a year after that.
When can teachers take long service leave?
After 10 years' service in most states, with pro-rata access from 7 years in NSW, Victoria and WA. Queensland teachers can access their 1.3 weeks per year after 7 years.
Can I take long service leave at half pay?
Yes, in most states. WA lets you take it at full, half or double pay, Victoria allows half pay, and NSW has a double-pay option. Half pay doubles the time off at half the weekly rate.
Does long service leave transfer between states?
Not automatically. Each state's rules recognise service differently, and moving employers can break continuous service. Check with the new employer, in writing, before you accept a role.
Do part-time teachers get long service leave?
Yes. Part-time service usually counts towards eligibility, and the leave is paid at your part-time rate. In the ACT, casual teachers are also included.
How much is my long service leave worth?
Divide your annual salary by 52 and multiply by your weeks. A WA teacher at Level 2.9 ($127,737) with 13 weeks would be paid about $31,934 before tax.

Guides that go with this tool

Long service leave

Teacher long service leave in Australia: what you get in every state

How much long service leave teachers get after 10 years in each state, when you can take it early, and how to stretch it.