The Queensland Synod office have previously advised that the Queensland Government have passed legislation to create the Community Services Portable Long Service Leave Scheme. The scheme will apply to all workers who:
- perform community services work, or
- support the provision of community services (for example, administrative and/or executive staff).
To find out who is eligible, view the list of community services covered by the scheme.
Regulations have now been made in relation to the scheme:
- The scheme will commence on 1 January 2021.
- The levy rate will be 1.35 per cent of ordinary wages.
- The scheme will use a worker’s classification level to calculate payments. Industrial instruments (such as awards or enterprise agreements) refer to classification levels. For workers who are not paid under an industrial agreement, the classification level will be “Social and Community Services Employee Level 4 – Payment 4” under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2020.
- Employers must complete an online quarterly return providing details of their worker’s service and wages. Once submitted, an invoice will be raised and payment required. Return periods will be:
- 1 January to 31 March of each year (submission due date is 14 April);
- 1 April to 30 June of each year (submission due date is 14 July);
- 1 July to 30 September of each year (submission due date is 14 October);
- 1 October to 31 December of each year (submission due date is 14 January).
- Penalties apply for not completing a return by the due date, including prosecution.
- You will be able to register your organisation as an employer in the community services industry in October.
- Once the scheme commences on 1 January 2021 you will be able to register your workers.
If you provide a designated community service, you should register your interest to receive updates from QLeave.
For further information about the scheme, visit the QLeave website or read the frequently asked questions.