People

Long Service Leave

Long service leave is a wonderful way to maintain freshness in ministry and to make sure our leaders “go the distance”. Two months leave is available for ministry personnel after they complete ten years of unbroken service. This is financed by an annual assessment of all congregations and church agencies employing ministers (except schools). This assessment is billed after 1 July each year calculated at 1.6% of the full basic stipend or salary applicable at that time.

While a person is on long service leave, the Ministry & Mission Committee draws upon accumulated assessments and pays the relevant congregation or agency the value of the current Basic Stipend. It does not reimburse the cost of any fringe benefits.

For an update on your LSL accrual please email the M&M team to request a copy of your LSL record.

Long Service Leave Applications

Using the LSL Application Form complete sections A B & C

1. Applicant Information and local arrangements for ministry to continue in your absence
2. Session Approval
3. Presbytery Approval

Then email the completed form to the M&M team with adequate time for Ministry & Mission to gain committee approval.

***Please note LSL must be a minimum of 4 consecutive weeks (unless LSL is combined with annual leave to total a minimum 4 consecutive weeks OR if you have a residual of at least 10 weeks LSL accrued)

Frequently asked questions

Governing rules
The LSL Fund within the PCNSW is operated in a manner consistent with the NSW Long Service Leave Act, 1955. It is governed by regulations enacted by the Assembly (see The Code III F).

When Can I Take LSL?
You can access your LSL after ten years continuous service in the Presbyterian Church.

Rates of LSL
Two months LSL is available after ten years continuous service. (LSL accrues at the rate of 0.8667 weeks per year.)

Purpose of LSL
LSL is for your refreshment and welfare, so you have zeal for ministry. LSL is a practical expression of care provided to reinvigorate you for ministry and to minimize the potential for ministers to become jaded or ‘burnt-out’. LSL is only available in extended blocks to maximize its benefit to you. LSL is to be taken as soon as practicable after it is due. So, in keeping with the spirit of LSL:

• LSL is not to be regarded as a cash accumulation for a retirement ‘nest egg’
• LSL is not to be accumulated and used as a prequel to retirement
• LSL is to keep you fresh and sharp for ongoing gospel work!

Taking LSL
 LSL must be taken at minimum of 4 consecutive weeks (unless LSL is combined with annual leave to total a minimum 4 consecutive weeks OR if you have a residual of at least 10 weeks LSL accrued)

What approvals do I need to access my LSL?
To access your LSL, you require the approval of your session, then your Presbytery, and, finally the Ministry & Mission Committee (see The Code III F4.06, 4.07). Presbytery, in approving an application for LSL, shall satisfy itself with the adequacy of ministry proposed for the congregation during the LSL period.

LSL Records 

Members of the LSL fund may request a copy of their accrued LSL entitlement records from Ministry & Mission at any time, please send your requests to the M&M team

How is LSL financed?
LSL is paid for by the congregation or agency you serve through an annual assessment (currently 1.6%) based on Basic Stipend. When you take LSL, you are paid your normal remuneration (stipend/salary and allowances) by the congregation/agency in the usual fashion. The Ministry and Mission Committee, through its LSL fund, then reimburses to the congregation/agency the equivalent of your stipend/salary (to a maximum of the basic stipend) for the LSL period. Where an entitlement to LSL exists, you cannot take a cash payment in lieu of that entitlement except upon retirement or termination of service (see LSL & Termination).

LSL & Termination
If you terminate your service with the Presbyterian Church:

• after 10 years unbroken service, you are entitled to your accrued LSL;
• after 5 years unbroken service, but before 10 years, the Ministry & Mission Committee may consider a request for special consideration if there are circumstances to justify that;
• before 5 years, all accrued LSL is forfeited.

What if I am called interstate?
Reciprocal arrangements apply to interstate transfers. Because other states provide LSL at different rates, we will transfer to the receiving state, the cash equivalent of your entitlement. That will then be recalculated into an entitlement in that state. If you later return to NSW (in continuous service with the Presbyterian Church of Australia), the calculations are performed in reverse.