QTAD Q&A
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 124 No 7, 27 September 2019, page no. 27
I’m a part-time teacher and don’t normally work on Monday. My principal has told me I must attend the student-free day on Monday 21 October. Do I have to go?
Unless leave has been approved, all permanent teachers (including part-time) must attend gazetted student-free days and will receive payment for such attendance.
What is the minimum period of long service leave I can apply for?
The minimum period of long service leave which can be taken at any one time is one week, but state school teachers, including classroom teachers and those in classified positions, can access long service leave in periods of no less than one day per week or fortnight, provided requested periods of long service leave amount to:
- five days or more in total, to facilitate the engagement of a replacement temporary teacher
- a lesser period, where there is no requirement to utilise the Teacher Relief Scheme (TRS).
Please note, long service leave taken on a one day per week or one day per fortnight basis cannot be accessed at half-pay, unless you work 0.2 FTE.
Except in exceptional circumstances, timely notice must be given when applying for long service leave, although most regional offices require two clear terms’ notice. Applications are granted subject to departmental convenience.
Further information on long service leave entitlements can be accessed in the QTU long service leave information brochure at https://www.qtu.asn.au/brilsl
I intend to resign at the end of the year. Will I be entitled to a payout of long service leave?
Entitlement to a cash payment of long service leave upon termination of employment is determined as follows.
Resignation - if you have completed 10 years’ continuous service. If you are not confident that you have 10 years’ service, it is imperative that you seek confirmation prior to completing a notice to cease.
Resignation (due to domestic or other pressing necessity) - you are entitled to a proportionate payment if you have seven years’ continuous service. It is strongly advisable to make application prior to resignation.
Resignation (due to ill-health or incapacity that does not qualify for ill-health retirement) - you are entitled to a proportionate payment if you have seven years’ continuous service.
Age retirement - you are entitled to a payment after five years’ continuous service.
Ill-health retirement - If you are ill-health retired as per Part 7 “Mental or physical incapacity”, Section 174 of the Public Service Act 2008, you are entitled to a payment after five years’ continuous service.
Death - a payment will be made to your personal representative if you have had five years’ continuous service.
NB: no cash payout of long service leave entitlements is payable for service of less than 10 years if you are dismissed for unsatisfactory conduct, capacity or performance.