The Australian Capital Territory rules
| Full entitlement | 7 years → 6.0667 weeks, then +⅕ of a month for each further year — the ACT and Victoria have the earliest access in the country |
|---|---|
| Pro-rata | From 5 years, when employment ends due to illness, incapacity or pressing need, reaching minimum retirement age, death, or your employer ending it for a reason other than serious and wilful misconduct. |
| Pay basis | Ordinary remuneration — excluding overtime, penalty rates and allowances. |
Worked example
Seven years at $1,500 a week = 6.07 weeks ≈ $9,100, two to three years earlier than most states would pay anything. Six years ending through illness = 5.2 weeks ≈ $7,800 pro-rata.
Other states differ — sometimes by thousands of dollars. Compare with the all-states calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the ACT pay at 7 years?
The ACT scheme was designed with a 7-year vesting point rather than the 10-year cliff most states kept. Accrual continues at the same rate after 7 years.
Do portable schemes apply in the ACT?
Construction, cleaning, community services and security workers in the ACT are usually under the portable scheme run by the ACT Long Service Leave Authority — different rules from this page.
Source: ACT Government / Access Canberra — Long Service Leave Act 1976 (ACT) (checked 1 November 2026). General private-sector rules; portable industry schemes and public-sector arrangements differ.