ACT hospitality sector faces six-month wait as portable long service leave expansion delayed

Canberra's hospitality, accommodation, hairdressing and beauty businesses will have to wait another six months before gaining access to a portable long service leave scheme, according to the ACT Government. The expansion, which would have allowed workers in these industries to accumulate long service leave entitlements that move with them between employers, has been delayed citing difficult trading conditions.

The move reflects the broader economic pressures facing Canberra's services sector, which has been navigating challenging conditions post-pandemic. For hospitality venues across the city, the delayed scheme means continued administrative and compliance complexity as businesses manage long service leave obligations through traditional employer-based systems.

Industry bodies and workers in these sectors have long advocated for portable arrangements, which provide greater security for employees who regularly change roles or employers. The six-month extension suggests the ACT Government is prioritising business stability in the near term, though it leaves open questions about whether the scheme will proceed as planned or face further delays.

Sources: citynews.com.au.

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