Community service workers in NSW who are registered with the Community Services Industry Portable Long Service Leave Scheme become eligible for Portable Long Service Leave after seven years of service to the industry.   This service is tracked by service credits. You earn seven service credits per seven-day pay cycle —regardless of how many hours you work (up to 365 credits per year). Once you reach 2,555 credits (equal to seven years), you can claim six weeks of paid long service leave. An online portal is available from 29 April 2026 that allows workers to confirm registration, view service history and manage their entitlement.

The Portable Long Service Leave scheme began on 1 July 2025. It will start counting service to the sector from this date.

If you work in the community services or disability sector and are: Full-time, part-time, or casual, or A self-employed contractor who opts in, you are likely eligible. Government employees and company directors are not eligible. Need help checking your eligibility? Get in contact with us using the form below or email myleave@asu.org.au.

Eligible workers receive: One service credit per day of employment, up to 365 per year Six weeks of paid long service leave after seven years of service Foundation workers (workers employed between 1 July and 31 December 2025) get a bonus 365 service credits and can access leave after 6 years, provided their employer registered them in the first six months of the scheme.

All community and disability workers will have access to the scheme, including everyone who works in: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community services Accommodation support services Advocacy services, including services provided by peak bodies Alcohol and other drug services Child safety and support services Community care services Community development services Community legal services Community mental health support services Community transport Disability supports and services Employment services Family and domestic violence services Family support services Financial counselling services Foster care services Homelessness support services Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) services Migrant and multicultural support services Neighbourhood and local community services Out-of-home care services Respite care services Settlement and refugee services Social housing services Social work Women’s health support services Youth justice services Youth support services Unsure if your sector is covered? Contact us using the form or email myleave@asu.org.au.

If your employer has failed to register for the Portable Long Service Leave scheme, you won't accrue service credits to track your work. This impacts your eligibility for long service leave. Worried your employer hasn't registered? Contact us using the form or email myleave@asu.org.au.

Eligible workers should have received an email invitation with a link to the portal on 29 April 2026.   If you haven’t received an email invitation, remember to check your work email address if you have one and look in your spam folders. If you still can't locate the email, this could indicate your employer has failed to register you. Contact us using the form or email myleave@asu.org.au.

Join the ASU, the union for community and disability sector workers, if you’re not already a member. Check your employer’s registration status. Contact us using the form or email myleave@asu.org.au.