Long-awaited changes to Victorian long service leave laws confirmed
Victoria has introduced significant changes to long service leave laws
On 8 May 2018, the Long Service Leave Bill 2017 (Vic) was passed after gaining the necessary support in the Victorian upper house. As a result, the Long Service Leave Act 1992 (Vic) will be repealed and replaced by the Long Service Leave Act 2018 (Vic).
The 2018 Act will come into effect on or before 1 November 2018.
We summarised the major changes to be made by the 2018 Act (as set out in the LSL Bill) last year. They remain largely the same.
At a glance, the suite of reforms include the following key changes:
- an employee can apply for long service leave (on a pro rata basis) after seven years of service, rather than after ten years
- the treatment of parental leave is now more favourable for employees, as any period of paid parental leave and up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave will count as service, and no period of parental leave will break continuity of service.
The 2018 Act clarifies some (but not all) of the long standing issues that employers have faced when interpreting the provisions of the 1992 Act.
If you would like more information or advice about how these reforms might impact your workplace, please contact a member of our Employment, Safety & People team.
Need advice about how these reforms might impact your workplace?
Contact the Employment, Remuneration & Benefits team.
Keep up to date with our legal insights and events
Sign upRecent articles

Beyond closing loopholes: Significant penalties now apply under changes to the Unfair Contract Terms regime
By Bruce Heddle & Anna Ju
Changes to Unfair Contract Terms may apply to independent contractors. We outline essential information for businesses.

Australian Modern Slavery Act Review: what you need to know and how you can prepare
By Sonia Sharma, Chloe Tutt, Javvad Jaffry, Colin Yuan
Our anti-modern slavery compliance experts outline some of the key recommendations from the Report.

When (lack of) silence is golden – the true impact of non-disparagement clauses
By Shaun Temby, Meaghan Bare & Rebecca Power
NSW Supreme Court has squarely put the issue of non-disparagement clauses contained in deeds of settlement into focus.

Society of University Lawyers Conference 2023
Maddocks is a proud platinum sponsor of the Society of University Lawyers Conference 2023.
Partner
Melbourne