Although Long Service Leave was included as one of the Government's 10 minimum employment standards, (that come into effect 1 January 2010) how much you get and how long you have to work for it still depends upon where you work and who employs you.
The Rudd Government has declared that it is on its agenda to remove these inconsistencies and move towards unifying the Long Service Leave entitlements, but who will reduce their standards and who will increase their standards to achieve this consistency remains unanswered.
Long Service Leave entitlements vary widely between the States. At the generous end of the scale is South Australia and the Northern Territory at 13 weeks after 10 years of service.
There are differences also not only in the length of leave but also qualifying period.
Workers in the ACT are able to take Long Service Leave after as little as 7 years while NSW workers may be paid out Long Service Leave after 5 years if they are retrenched or forced to leave work due to sickness and in SA after 7 years.
The Australian Industry Group has been urging the States to accept the Federal Award Standard of 13 weeks after 15 years with the option to take some leave after 10 years.
In 2005 Victoria brought Long Service Leave more into line with other States. Now, the country's three largest employers, the states of Victoria, NSW and Queensland, broadly have the same conditions. If you had to hazard a guess it would be reasonable to consider this standard would form the basis for a national compromise.
Whilst State Governments are reluctant to move from their current standards, most agree that with wall to wall State Labor Governments we are closer to achieving uniformity than ever before.
In the industrial relations sphere, along with Occupational Health and Safety and Workers Compensation whether uniformity will be achieved will be highly dependant on the negotiating skills of Julia Gillard and her advisors. It is a matter of watch this space.
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