Leave Entitlement Calculator

Calculate employee leave entitlements under the National Employment Standards. Covers annual leave, personal/carer's leave, and long service leave by state.

Verified March 2026·Free tool

Leave Entitlement Calculator

Calculate employee leave entitlements under the National Employment Standards. Covers annual leave, personal/carer's leave, and long service leave by state.

Result
Enter your details above and click Calculate to see results.

About This Tool

Calculate employee leave entitlements under the National Employment Standards. Covers annual leave, personal/carer's leave, and long service leave by state.

Australian employees are entitled to various types of leave under the National Employment Standards (NES), which set out the minimum leave entitlements for all employees covered by the national workplace relations system. Leave entitlements accrue from the start of employment and, for most types, accumulate year over year if unused. The NES provides a safety net that cannot be reduced by awards or agreements.

Why This Matters for Australian Businesses

Incorrect leave calculations are one of the most common payroll compliance issues in Australia. Underpaying leave entitlements — whether through incorrect accrual rates, failing to account for shift worker status, or miscalculating pro-rata entitlements for part-time employees — can result in Fair Work penalties and back-payment obligations. Long service leave is particularly complex because qualifying periods and entitlements vary by state and territory.

How to Use This Tool

  1. Select the employment type — full-time, part-time, or casual
  2. Enter the employee's ordinary hours per week for pro-rata calculations
  3. Specify the years of continuous service to calculate long service leave eligibility
  4. Select the state to apply the correct long service leave rules
  5. Indicate whether the employee is a shift worker for additional annual leave entitlement

Key Rules & Thresholds

  • Full-time employees receive 4 weeks annual leave per year (5 weeks for shift workers)
  • Personal/carer's leave is 10 days per year for full-time employees, pro-rata for part-time
  • Casual employees receive a 25% loading in lieu of paid annual and personal leave
  • Long service leave qualifying periods: 7 years in VIC and ACT, 10 years in most other states
  • South Australia and Northern Territory provide 13 weeks of long service leave after 10 years — the most generous
  • Unused annual leave and long service leave must be paid out on termination of employment

How Results Are Calculated

This calculator uses the latest published rates and thresholds for the 2025–26 financial year. Results are estimates only — always verify with the relevant authority before making financial decisions.

Official Resources

DisclaimerThis tool provides estimates only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Consult a registered tax agent or accountant for advice specific to your situation.