Every two months, employers notify us of the number of days worked by their workers. The maximum number of days that can be credited to a worker each year is 260 days. (ie 52 weeks by 5 days per week)

Using your registration number and a password, you can access your long service leave records via the Internet at any time.

Alternatively, if you would like a service certificate to be mailed to you at the end of each financial year, please contact CBS to arrange this.

There is no requirement for a worker to formally register with the scheme. When you are first employed, you will be issued a registration number and card to identify you in the scheme. This card should be kept with you to show future employers or to gain access to some building sites.

The scheme covers a broad range of building trades work, electrical trades work and metal trades work performed mainly on site on new or existing commercial, industrial or domestic buildings or structures.

Your employer can voluntarily register you if you work off-site:

• The Building and Construction General On-site Award 2010, but only in relation to the following classifications and only in the terrazzo or concrete casting industries:

(a)        Carpenter;

(b)        Joiner;

(c)        Tradesperson (precast concrete manufacture);

(d)       Machinist (precast concrete manufacture);

(e)        Terrazzo Assistant;

(f)        General Hand;

(g)        Adult trainee terrazzo worker.

• The Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2010, but only in relation to workers employed in the preparation or manufacture of any of the following:

(a)        fibrous plaster;

(b)        architectural ornaments made of fibrous plaster, plaster or cement;

(c)        plaster tiles or sheets (whether containing fibre or not);

(d)       architectural models;

(e)        material for suspended ceilings.

Supervisors responsible for the daily on-site supervision of works, may have their supervisory period of employment recognised and apply for payment of their worker service credits accrued, once their combined service as a worker and supervisor exceeds 1820 days.

Yes but employers do not have to pay a levy for apprentices until they become tradespersons.

Once you have accrued over seven years service with the scheme, you will receive a pro rata payment if you leave the industry. If you have less than 1820 days service, your entitlement will be cancelled if you are absent from the industry for more than 3 years (if you have over 1300 but less than 1820 days service), or 2 years if you have less than 1300 days service.

The payment you receive from us is regarded as income and must be declared in your tax return in the financial year that you receive it. We are compelled to make tax deductions from your payment in accordance with the rules set down by the Australian Taxation Office. We will issue you a PAYG Payment Summary when you receive your payment.

Foremen employed on-site to supervise other on-site employees, who commence employment as a foreman within one year of ceasing as a worker, may continue registration with the scheme.

When you are ready to take leave, download a Long Service Leave Application or telephone CBS on 08 8332 6111  and we will post one to you. You will need your worker registration number and tax file number to complete the form. Once we have confirmed the details on your application, your payment will be made direct into your nominated bank account (we will need your bank's BSB number, your account name and number).

The scheme is portable which means you qualify for long service leave based on your employment in the industry rather than with one employer. When you change jobs in the construction industry, make sure your new employer registers you with the scheme.

You can be absent from the industry for up to 3 years without losing your entitlement if you have more than 1300 days service accrued. If you have less than 1300 days accrued, you can be absent for up to 2 years.

An agreement between the schemes in all States and Territories allows you to continue accruing long service leave when moving between States.

We only record service accrued in South Australia, so you will need to monitor the total combined service accrued in all States and Territories and apply for long service leave once you have met the requirements of the State or Territory where you are living and working at the time.

Once you have accrued 2600 days service, you are entitled to take 13 weeks long service leave. You can choose to take this in periods of not less than 2 weeks duration. Subsequent leave may be taken as it accrues in minimum periods of 2 weeks.