Yes, contract cleaning workers in Australia can access portable long service leave, but only in states with specific schemes—currently Victoria, Queensland, and the Northern Territory—and only if they meet the scheme’s registration and service requirements. This means that instead of losing accrued long service leave when changing employers, eligible cleaners carry their service entitlements with them across jobs in the industry.
What Is Portable Long Service Leave?
Long service leave is a paid leave entitlement that rewards long-term service with one employer. Traditionally, if you changed jobs, your clock reset to zero. Portable long service leave (PLSL) changes that for certain industries by pooling contributions into a central fund, so your service continues to count even when you switch employers.
For contract cleaners, the nature of the work—short contracts, frequent turnover, multiple sites—meant many workers never reached the typical 10-year threshold with a single employer. Portability addresses this by allowing service to be aggregated across all registered employers in the industry.
How It Works in Each State
Australia has three separate portable long service leave schemes for contract cleaners:
- Victoria: The Long Service Benefits Portability Act 2018 covers contract cleaners (and community services workers). Employers pay a levy (currently 1.6% of ordinary wages) into the Portable Long Service Benefits Authority (PLSA). Workers register with the PLSA, and after 7 years of qualifying service, they can claim paid leave.
- Queensland: The Portable Long Service Leave Act 2021 covers contract cleaners, security officers, and community services workers. Employers pay 1.35% of ordinary wages to QLeave. Workers can claim after 10 years of service (or a pro-rata payment after 7 years if they leave the industry).
- Northern Territory: The Portable Long Service Leave (Contract Cleaning Industry) Act 2003 covers contract cleaners. Employers pay 1.5% of wages to the NT Government. Workers can claim after 7 years of service.
In other states and territories (NSW, WA, SA, Tasmania, ACT), there is no portable scheme for cleaners—long service leave remains tied to a single employer under general state laws.
Who Is Covered and How to Register
Coverage is not automatic. You must be a contract cleaner—someone employed by a cleaning company that provides cleaning services to clients under a contract (not someone who cleans their own premises or is a sole trader). You also need to work a minimum number of hours per week (usually 20 hours in Victoria, 15 in Queensland) to qualify.
To access the scheme:
- Check if your employer is registered with the relevant authority (they should be if they employ contract cleaners).
- Create an account with the authority (e.g., PLSA in Victoria, QLeave in Queensland).
- Ensure your employer reports your service each quarter.
- Keep your details updated, especially when you change jobs.
If you change employers within the same industry, your service continues to count automatically—you don’t need to re-register, but you must inform the authority of your new employer.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
Misconception: “I automatically get it after 7 years.” No—you must have qualifying service (e.g., 7 years in Victoria) and have actually worked that many years in the industry. If you take a break from cleaning, that time may not count.
Misconception: “My employer pays the levy, so I get the leave automatically.” The levy funds the scheme, but you still need to register and claim. Many workers miss out because they never registered.
Problem: Unpaid levy. Some employers fail to pay the levy, which can affect your entitlement. The authority can recover unpaid levies, but it may delay your claim.
Problem: Moving interstate. If you move from Victoria to Queensland, your service does not transfer between schemes—you start fresh in the new state, unless you return to the original state.
How to Claim Your Leave
When you reach the qualifying period (7 years in Vic/NT, 10 in Qld), you can apply for leave. The process:
- Log into your account with the authority.
- Submit a claim form, providing your service history (the authority will have records from employers).
- Choose to take the leave as paid time off or as a cash payment on termination (in some cases, a pro-rata payment if you leave the industry before the full period).
Payment is based on your average weekly earnings over the last 12 months (or similar) and the number of weeks accrued—typically 13 weeks after 10 years (pro-rata for less).
Costs and Employer Obligations
For employers, the levy is a cost of doing business. It is calculated as a percentage of ordinary wages and must be paid quarterly. Failure to pay can result in penalties and interest.
For workers, the scheme is free—you don’t pay anything directly. However, the levy may indirectly affect wage negotiations, as it is a cost to the employer.
Alternatives and Comparisons
If you work in a state without a portable scheme, your only long service leave is under the general state law (e.g., 10 years with the same employer in NSW). Some cleaners choose to stay with one employer to build up this entitlement, but that may not be realistic in a high-turnover industry.
Another alternative is to negotiate for higher wages or superannuation to compensate for the lack of portability, but this is not a direct substitute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I claim portable long service leave if I’m a casual cleaner?
Yes, if you meet the minimum hours requirement (e.g., 20 hours per week in Victoria) and your employer is registered. Casual cleaners are covered if they work regular hours.
Q: What happens to my portable long service leave if I leave the cleaning industry?
If you leave before the qualifying period, you may be entitled to a pro-rata payment after a certain number of years (e.g., 7 years in Queensland). If you leave earlier, you forfeit the entitlement unless you return later.
Q: How do I know if my employer is paying the levy?
You can contact the relevant authority (PLSA, QLeave, NT) and ask for your service record. They can confirm whether contributions have been made.
Q: Does my portable long service leave affect my annual leave or sick leave?
No, it is separate. You still accrue annual leave and personal leave under the Fair Work Act, and portable long service leave is an additional entitlement.
Q: If I work in two states in the same year, do both count?
No, each scheme counts only service within that state. You need to meet the qualifying period in each state separately to claim from that state’s fund.
Template for Tracking Your Service
Use this template to keep a personal record of your employment and service, which can help you verify your entitlement when claiming.
| Employer Name | Start Date | End Date | Hours/Week | State | Levy Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sample (fictional): CleanCo Pty Ltd, 01/03/2020, 30/06/2023, 25, VIC, Yes
If you are unsure about your eligibility or how to claim, contact the relevant state authority or ask a qualified professional for advice.