Staff Updates

from BigDog Newsletter April 2021

Rockhampton Community

Staff Updates Ann

Portable Long Service

Queensland Community Services Industry

The Queensland Government has passed legislation to establish a new portable long service leave scheme available for community services workers. The Community Services Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Act 2020 provides a fair and efficient system of portable long service leave for workers in Queensland's community services industry commencing 1 January 2021. Under the Act, workers are entitled to long service leave payments based on their service to the industry, rather than continuous service with one employer. Workers, who are employed by the same employer for ten or more continuous years, may be entitled to long service leave paid by the employer under the Industrial Relations Act 2016. Under the scheme, employers in the community services industry will be required to register their business or organisation with QLeave. Each quarter, employers must complete an employer return detailing the ordinary wages paid to their workers during the return period. The days worked and wages received by each worker is recorded by QLeave and results in service credits accruing towards a long service leave benefit. Once a worker has 7 years of service recorded, they're entitled to 6.1 weeks of long service leave paid by QLeave. The levy rate will commence at 1.35% of ordinary wages. This rate is determined by an actuary who undertakes an investigation using specific formulae. This is based on an industry study that includes identification of the number of employers, the number of workers, ordinary wages, how many workers might be eligible to claim a long service leave entitlement, and other factors. So the Queensland Government keeps the money for anyone who moves on to a different industry? Editor

Staff Birthdays

April 2021

2nd Ammaron Ginger 3rd Tracey J 7th Riley 14h Michael N 17th Chisato 20th Ella 26th Mitchell 30th Sharon P Tungane

Have a great day!

What’s happening in April

ANZAC Day

Sunday 25 April 2021

Toowoomba and Rockhampton Regional Councils have confirmed ANZAC Day commemorations will return this year, following the cancellation of ceremonies across the State last April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dawn Service 5:30 am—6:15 am

• Mother’s Memorial East Creek Park,

Margaret Street Toowoomba • Sean McCarthy Way Highfields Mid Morning Service 10:00 am—Noon Parades and Dawn Services will operate under a COVID-19 safe plan social distancing.

Justice of the Peace

This service is available at the Paul Myatt Community Centre 11-15 Alexander Street Toowoomba (please call first to make an appointment) The JPs in the Community Program is also available through major shopping centres, libraries, court houses and hospitals.