It is funded by churches contributing an amount each year for each pastor they have serving them, and a lump sum amount is paid out to a pastor’s current church whenever they wish to take long service leave. The scheme itself has been run for many years and is similar to (but independent from) other schemes run by other State Baptist Unions around Australia.

Churches are asked to contribute on behalf of their REGISTERED pastors for the period of service they work for. This will provide for a transferrable scheme for pastors that will follow them from church to church throughout their period of service.

The long service leave entitlements for other church staff including unregistered pastors, remains a church responsibility.

The PLSLF is maintained independently of other QB money, and a fund balance is reported in QB’s annual accounts. Even QB’s provision for long service leave for staff is held independently of the PLSLF.

When a pastor wishes to take long service leave the PLSLF will reimburse the church for the cost they incur for paying the pastor during their time of leave. The scheme does not provide for pastors to be paid directly.

In order to make a claim from the PLSLF, the church will need to complete the Long Service Leave Request Form and return to the Administrative Services (dapa@qb.org.au) for processing. Please note that these applications are to be made at least 1 month prior to the leave being taken, to allow for proper processing time.

Enquiries relating to the accrual of LSL of a pastor can be made by contacting Administrative Services.

The PLSLF does not cover other church employees or unregistered pastors. These employees would be covered by state legislation. To obtain the fact sheet Long Service Leave – Staff other than registered Pastors, please click here.

Download the Long Service Leave Request Form

Factsheet – Long Service Leave for Registered Pastors

Factsheet – Long Service Leave for Staff other than Registered Pastors

Transition Arrangements

In order to cover the difficult area of pastors transitioning in and out of the Pastoral Long Service Leave Scheme as they change ministry roles, please find a list of circumstances under which you may need to have a particular discussion with the Director of Admin Services:

• Employees of Queensland Baptists have a separate Long Service Leave provision that applies to them. People that have been employees of QB and then become pastors, or vice versa, can have their entitlement transferred from one fund to another. It is important for people in this circumstance to request the transfer and check the implications of the transition.

• Each state Baptist Union around Australia (except Northern Territory) runs a similar PLSLF, although the specific rules vary from state to state. Under a reciprocal arrangement, the states have agreed that if a pastor’s registration status is moved interstate, their leave entitlement will be transferred. But this is very complex considering irregularities between states. If you are moving interstate, you probably need to have a personal discussion on how your benefit is going to transition.

• Pastors will occasionally take up employment with missions, not-for-profit organisations or accept a call to a congregation of another denomination. No formal arrangements for transition of benefits exist in these instances. However, we occasionally can implement an arrangement that suits all parties and preserves the long service leave benefit developed. It is suggested that you have a discussion with the Director of Admin Services as to what is possible in these circumstances.

All enquiries relating to Long Service Leave can be made to Administrative Services, dapa@qb.org.au or 07 3354 5648.