About the Portable Long Service Benefits Scheme

The Portable Long Service Benefits Scheme

The Portable Long Service Benefits Scheme started on 1 July 2019 and allows covered workers in the community services, contract cleaning and security industries to build up long service entitlements based on time spent in the industry, even if they work for different employers over the years.

Movement between employers is common in these industries. The Scheme allows covered workers to accrue long service entitlements like so many other Victorians who stay with the same employer.

Since 1 July 2019 it has been compulsory for employers with covered workers in community services, contract cleaning and security to register for the Scheme.

Community services employers providing activities funded by the NDIS and children’s services provided by non-profit licensed children's services and approved providers under the Education and Care Services National Law, have been required to register since 1 January 2020.

The Scheme is funded by a levy paid by employers to the Portable Long Service Authority. Employers submit a quarterly return and the levy, paid quarterly, is calculated based on the number of hours and ordinary pay of covered workers.

Since 2019, the Scheme has become one of Australia’s largest portable long service leave programs.

What you need to do

Find out if you’re a covered employer

The Scheme covers the community services, contract cleaning and security industries in Victoria.

Find out about Scheme coverage and if you need to register.

Register your business

If you are a covered employer and employ covered workers, it is compulsory to register with the Portable Long Service Authority.

Find out about registering your business.

Submit quarterly returns

It is a legislative requirement that employers give the Portable Long Service Authority details about their covered workers’ service each quarter.

Quarterly returns are submitted through the employer portal.

Find out how to submit quarterly returns.

Register your workers

Employers are required to register their covered workers for the Scheme through their quarterly return. Each quarter, you must ensure that you have included new workers in your quarterly return.

Pay your levy

Employers are required to pay a levy each quarter that’s based on the hours worked and ordinary pay paid to their covered workers, as reported in the quarterly return.

Levy payments are payable within 14 days and can be paid by BPay and EFT. The levy is set by the Authority’s Governing Board and is currently:

• 1.65% of workers’ ordinary pay for community services
• 1.80% of workers’ ordinary pay for contract cleaning and security

Further information