Portable long service leave in the Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory, NT Build runs the portable long service leave scheme for the construction industry. Workers qualify for long service leave based on their service with the industry rather than with a single employer.
- By Book Keeping Pros
- Sources checked 15 Oct 2026
Construction: levy
0.1%
As published on 15 October 2026
Schemes and levies
| Scheme | What it is | Levy | Applies | Charged on | Returns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Levy, as a share of the total cost of construction work, including GST | 0.1% | As published on 15 October 2026 | Total cost of construction work | Twice a year |
Each levy is from its scheme body's page, listed below. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
Leave for workers
| Scheme | What it is | Leave | After this service | Applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Leave after the qualifying service | 13 weeks | 10 years | As published on 15 October 2026 |
As each scheme body states it, from the sources listed below. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
Other published figures
| Scheme | What it is | Value | Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Project cost from which the levy applies | $1,000,000 | As published on 15 October 2026 |
| Construction | Highest project cost covered by the single levy rate shown here | $5,000,000,000 | As published on 15 October 2026 |
Each figure is from its scheme body's page, listed below. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
How portable long service leave works in the Northern Territory
- NT Build says employers are required to register with it within a set period of employing a registered construction worker, under the Construction Industry Long Service Leave and Benefits Act 2005.
- Registered employers keep records of their eligible workers and complete an employer return twice a year, on a financial year cycle, reporting the days each registered employee worked.
- The scheme is funded by a levy on eligible Northern Territory construction projects. The person the work is for pays it, except on Australian Government or interstate government work, where the principal contractor pays.
- The levy is a percentage of the total cost of construction work and is paid to NT Build before the work starts. Projects above the upper cost shown here use a two-tier levy mechanism. NT Build is notified of the work beforehand with a Project Notification Form.
- To be eligible, a worker physically carries out construction work in the Northern Territory, spends most of their time at a construction site and on the tools, works for the private sector, and is not in an administrative, clerical, managerial or professional role.
- Labour only contractors register and report for themselves, so they are not included on the employer return.
General information
Sources
- Levy Payers
NT Build. Undated page, as read on 15 October 2026, released 15 October 2026. Checked 15 October 2026.
© NT Build Licence: NT Build copyright notice: copyright, NT Build (fair dealing only unless a Creative Commons licence is stated).
- Employers
NT Build. Undated page, as read on 15 October 2026, released 15 October 2026. Checked 15 October 2026.
© NT Build Licence: NT Build copyright notice: copyright, NT Build (fair dealing only unless a Creative Commons licence is stated).
Bookkeeping for employers
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