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TAS long service leave

Long service leave for Tasmanian teachers

Tasmanian state school teachers earn long service leave under the LSL (State Employees) Act 1994: entitled after 10 years, a 100-day cap and pro rata payouts.

✓ Fact-checked against official sources Updated 16 October 2026 3 min read

State

TAS

Rules

See below

On this page (6 sections)
  1. What it's worth
  2. The key rules
  3. Leaving before 10 years
  4. Prior and interstate service
  5. What your leave is worth
  6. FAQs

The short answer

Tasmanian government teachers earn long service leave under the Long Service Leave (State Employees) Act 1994. You become entitled after 10 years' continuous employment, leave is credited at least once a year, and balances are capped at 100 days unless approved. Pro rata payout after 7 to 10 years applies only for specified reasons.

Unlike states where long service leave sits in the teachers' agreement, Tasmania's comes from an Act of Parliament that covers the whole State Service. That means the same rules apply to teachers, nurses and public servants, and the Act is the place to check.

What TAS long service leave is worth

Under the Long Service Leave (State Employees) Act 1994 you are entitled after 10 years' continuous employment. Leave is credited by a formula at least yearly, capped at 100 days unless approved, with pro rata payout after 7 years in some cases. The amount per 10 years is not confirmed here.

The key rules

Long Service Leave (State Employees) Act 1994: what matters for teachers
RuleWhat the Act says
When you're entitledAfter 10 years' continuous employment (s7)
How leave builds upCredited by formula, at least once a year (s12)
Maximum balance100 days, unless you get permission to hold more (s15–16)
Leaving earlyPro rata payout after 7 to 10 years, for specified reasons only (s20)

The formula for how much leave each year of service earns is set out in the Act. We have not confirmed the exact amount per 10 years, so check your balance with DECYP.

Leaving before 10 years

If you leave after 7 but before 10 years, you only get a pro rata payout for the reasons listed in section 20 of the Act. Resigning for another job is not automatically one of them. Read section 20 or ask DECYP HR before you resign if you are close to 7 or 10 years.

Prior and interstate service

There is no national portability scheme for school teachers. Service in another state's school system does not automatically count toward Tasmanian long service leave. If you have earlier service with another Tasmanian State Service agency, ask HR how it is treated under the Act.

What your leave is worth

A term (about ten weeks) of paid long service leave at Level 13 ($122,393 from March 2026) is worth about $23,500 before tax. Pay rises during your leave, like the 3% from March 2027, flow through to your leave pay.

Free calculator

Long service leave calculator

Work out what your Tasmanian balance is worth at your current level.

Calculate

Planning long service leave

  1. 1

    Check your balance

    Look at your payslip or ask DECYP payroll for your current credit.

  2. 2

    Talk to your principal early

    A whole term is easier for the school to cover than odd weeks.

  3. 3

    Apply formally

    Lodge your leave application well before the term you want.

Compare Tasmania with other states in teacher long service leave in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

When do Tasmanian teachers get long service leave?
Tasmanian government teachers become entitled after 10 years' continuous employment, under the Long Service Leave (State Employees) Act 1994.
How much long service leave do Tasmanian teachers get?
The amount comes from a formula in the Act, and leave is credited at least once a year. We have not confirmed the exact figure per 10 years, so check your balance with DECYP.
Is there a limit on long service leave in Tasmania?
Yes, balances are capped at 100 days unless you get permission to hold more.
Do I get long service leave paid out if I leave after 7 years?
Only for the reasons set out in section 20 of the Act. A pro rata payout after 7 to 10 years isn't automatic for every resignation.
Does interstate teaching count toward Tasmanian long service leave?
Not automatically. There is no national portability scheme for school teachers, so ask DECYP HR about your situation.

Sources we checked · last verified 16 October 2026

  1. 1.DECYP Salary Scales as at 27 August 2026 (v1.15)
  2. 2.DECYP Salary Scales as at 9 January 2026 (archived)
  3. 3.DECYP: Teaching salaries, benefits and incentives
  4. 4.[2026] TASIC 40: Filing of the Teachers Agreement 2025
  5. 5.Pulse Tasmania: Teachers vote up new three-year deal
  6. 6.TRB Tasmania: Fees and payments
  7. 7.Long Service Leave (State Employees) Act 1994

About this page

Written and fact-checked by the TeacherPay AU editorial team against the enterprise agreements, awards and official pages listed in the sources. It is general information, not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it, usually within a day. See our editorial policy and how we calculate.