Here's what you need to know from the beginning.
Employer Registration
Employer registration is currently scheduled to be available in our online portal from 1 July 2025. Businesses employing eligible workers in the community services sector in South Australia are required to complete the online Employer Registration Application form to register within 28 days of commencement of the scheme.
First Employer Return Lodgement
The first quarterly Employer Return is scheduled to be available from the end of September 2025 and due for lodgement by 21 October 2025. Employers will be required to pay any applicable levies for the quarter by 21 October 2025.
Delayed Registration
An employer may apply for delayed registration through the Employer Registration process. Delayed registration is available to all employers in the sector and will be assessed against the eligibility criteria as determined by the Community Services Long Service Leave Board. An employer will need to provide the date they wish to register from, the reasons for the request, and provide any available documentation to support their request.
Should an employer be approved for delayed registration, the long service leave accruals and liability will continue to apply as per the Long Service Leave Act 1987 (State Act) until the agreed registration date. Your long service leave will not be accrued under the Portable Long Service Leave Act 2024 (PLSL Act) until your employer has become actively registered with the scheme.
Worker Service Prior to Commencement
If you started working with your employer prior to the commencement of the PLSL Act, your employer will remain responsible for your long service leave accrual and liability under the State Act prior to your registration with the scheme.
Should you hold an entitlement (more than 7 years of service) with your employer under the State Act upon registration with the scheme, your employer is required to retain the associated records and funds for the provision of that long service leave. If you already hold an entitlement upon registration with the scheme, the liability for that long service leave is fixed at the amount that would have been payable the day before registration.
If you do not hold an entitlement (7 years of service) with your employer under the State Act upon commencement, but reach an entitlement after registration, your employer is required to retain the associated records and funds for the provision of the long service leave accrued prior to registration. If you reach an entitlement after registration with the scheme, the liability for that long service leave is calculated upon claim at the rate defined in the PLSL Act.
If you hold an entitlement with your employer under the State Act (reached either before or after the commencement of the PLSL Act), that liability remains until you have claimed that long service leave. IF you are covered by the Portable Long Service Leave Act 2024 when you make a claim, SA Portable Long Service Leave - Community Services will pay you and seek reimbursement form the employer for the service accrued under the State Act.
If you started working with your employer prior to commencement of the PLSL Act, but you ceased employment before reaching and entitlement under the State Act, your employer is not liable for the service accrued prior to registration with SA Portable Long Service Leave - Community Services. An employer is only liable for entitlements accrued prior to the designated day where the worker is eligible for a payment under the State Act.