Long service leave for casual employees in Western Australia
Western Australia's Act takes in casual and seasonal employees, and its casual continuity and loading rules apply from the date the table gives for them. There is no limit on the length of an absence under the terms of engagement, from seasonal factors or with an expected return, and absences that keep employment continuous count in its length. Casual loading forms part of a casual's ordinary pay for long service leave.
- By Book Keeping Pros
- Sources checked 15 Oct 2026
The rules in Western Australia
| What it is | Value | When it applies | Where it is set |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual and seasonal employees are covered by the Act | Yes | As published on 31 January 2025 | s 4(1): definition of employee |
| Limit on an absence under the terms of engagement, from seasonal factors or with an expected return | No limit | From 20 June 2022 | s 6(5): absences of casual or seasonal employees |
| An absence keeps regular, systematic casual work continuous where a return is expected | Yes | From 20 June 2022 | s 6(5)(c): reasonable expectation of returning to work |
| Casual work under two or more contracts with one employer is continuous | Yes | From 20 June 2022 | s 6(6)(a): two or more contracts of employment |
| Casual work stays continuous while the employee also works for another employer | Yes | From 20 June 2022 | s 6(6)(b): also employed by another person |
| Casual and seasonal absences that keep employment continuous count in its length | Yes | From 20 June 2022 | s 6A(1)(c): absences referred to in section 6(5) |
| A casual employee's ordinary pay for long service leave includes casual loading | Yes | From 20 June 2022 | s 7B: casual loading |
Each rule is read from the source and provision shown; the sources are listed below. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
What it means for your books
- With no length limit on these absences, the books record the reason for each absence beside its dates: the terms of engagement, seasonal factors, or a return that was expected. For an expected return, shift history is what shows whether the casual work was regular and systematic, as that rule requires.
- Absences that keep employment continuous also count in its length, so a casual's service total runs on through them rather than pausing. The date on each absence shows whether it falls on or after the date the table's casual rules apply from.
- Casual work under separate contracts with the business is continuous, as is casual work done while the employee also works for another employer. Each contract's dates, kept together under a single employee record, show the service as a continuous run.
- Keeping the loading on its own line in each pay record lets it be added into ordinary pay for long service leave. Wageline or your accountant can answer questions about what a particular casual is owed.
General information
Sources
- Long Service Leave Act 1958 (WA), version 04-m0-00
Parliamentary Counsel's Office, Western Australia. Version 04-m0-00, as at 31 January 2025, released 30 January 2025. Checked 15 October 2026.
Sourced from the Western Australian Legislation website (www.legislation.wa.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 4.0 Licence: CC BY 4.0.
- Long service leave in Western Australia
Wageline (Private Sector Labour Relations, Western Australia). Page last updated 13 May 2026, released 13 May 2026. Checked 15 October 2026.
© State of Western Australia Licence: WA.gov.au terms of use: copyright, State of Western Australia (personal, educational or in-house non-commercial use with attribution).
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