Keeping records of service for the building and construction industry long service payments scheme

How to keep adequate records for workers

The Building and Construction Industry Long Service Payments Act 1986 requires employers in the building and construction industry to keep adequate books and records for workers containing the following:

• time sheets or attendance records of the worker
• name, address, and email address of the worker
• registration number of the worker
• type of work performed by the worker
• award or agreement under which the worker is paid
• total number of days (rounded off to the nearest whole number) of building and construction work performed by the worker each week.

Records must be retained for at least 6 years after the last entry of service. Employers must ensure work on Commonwealth places is excluded from their service return.

Investigators from Long Service Corporation (LSC) are authorised to inspect books and records to check that employers are meeting their obligations under the scheme. If books and records are kept in electronic form, they must be able to be printed and produced in written form.

When a new worker starts

Employers are required to notify LSC within 7 days of a new worker commencing employment who is doing eligible building and construction work. Penalties may apply if notification does not occur within 7 days.

Before adding a new worker, you should check if the worker has an LSC registration number. Workers who are already registered should have a card or email containing their registration number.

Employers should notify us of a new worker via the Employer Portal, whether they are:

• full time
• part time, or
• casual.

This applies even if they have only worked for one day or they are already registered with LSC.

If you need help to check a worker's registration, call us on 13 14 41. You will need to provide their name and date of birth.

Notify us of a new worker

When a worker's employment ends

Employers are required to notify LSC when a worker’s employment ends, even if they have only worked for one day.

You must notify us via the Employer Portal within 7 days of the worker’s employment being terminated. Penalties may apply if notification does not happen within 7 days.

Access the Employer Portal

Updating information in the portal

Registered employers can use the Employer Portal to:

• add or remove workers from your profile
• update business, administration and contact details
• confirm worker service
• complete annual service returns
• link and manage multiple businesses in the scheme with one login
• lodge a claim online
• report earlier service for workers.

Access the Employer Portal