What leave do Queensland police officers get?
QPS leave comes from three places. The Police Award sets the base rules. Part Five of the Queensland Police Service Certified Agreement 2025 overrides parts of it. And for parental leave, long service leave, bereavement and domestic and family violence leave, the agreement applies Queensland public sector directives "as amended from time to time".
Annual leave
- Entitlement
- 6 weeks a year; 6 weeks 3 days in the North and West
- Where it comes from
- CA cl 58
Leave loading
- Entitlement
- 17.5% on 4 weeks for non-OSA officers; OSA officers keep OSA on leave instead
- Where it comes from
- CA cl 58.2, 59
OSA special leave credit
- Entitlement
- 38 hours for 46 weekend and 7 public holiday shifts
- Where it comes from
- CA cl 43.14
Programmed day off
- Entitlement
- 1 per 28-day roster for NCOs
- Where it comes from
- CA cl 24
Sick leave
- Entitlement
- 15 days a year; First Year Constables get 15 days upfront
- Where it comes from
- CA cl 61
Critical Incident Leave
- Entitlement
- Up to 3 days paid
- Where it comes from
- CA cl 65
Long service leave
- Entitlement
- 1.3 weeks per year of service after 10 years; pro rata from 7
- Where it comes from
- CA cl 64; Directive 10/24
Paid parental leave
- Entitlement
- 14 weeks (main carer) or 1 week (other parent)
- Where it comes from
- CA cl 63; Directive 08/24
Bereavement, domestic and family violence leave
- Entitlement
- As set by the current directives
- Where it comes from
- CA cl 66-67
| Leave | Entitlement | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Annual leave | 6 weeks a year; 6 weeks 3 days in the North and West | CA cl 58 |
| Leave loading | 17.5% on 4 weeks for non-OSA officers; OSA officers keep OSA on leave instead | CA cl 58.2, 59 |
| OSA special leave credit | 38 hours for 46 weekend and 7 public holiday shifts | CA cl 43.14 |
| Programmed day off | 1 per 28-day roster for NCOs | CA cl 24 |
| Sick leave | 15 days a year; First Year Constables get 15 days upfront | CA cl 61 |
| Critical Incident Leave | Up to 3 days paid | CA cl 65 |
| Long service leave | 1.3 weeks per year of service after 10 years; pro rata from 7 | CA cl 64; Directive 10/24 |
| Paid parental leave | 14 weeks (main carer) or 1 week (other parent) | CA cl 63; Directive 08/24 |
| Bereavement, domestic and family violence leave | As set by the current directives | CA cl 66-67 |
Pay figures on this page use our QPS salary tables from 1 July 2026. Those rates are QPS's official CPI Uplift Adjustment (CUA) schedule, which includes the 2025 CPI uplift. See the QPS pay deal page for how the uplift works.
How much annual leave do QPS officers get?
Annual leave accrues daily. Clause 58.1 sets it at 0.62466 hours for each calendar day of service, which is 6 weeks a year. In the Northern and Western parts of the state it's 0.68712 hours a day, or 6 weeks and 3 days.
Standard accrual
0.62466
hours per calendar day
North and West accrual
0.68712
hours per calendar day
Value of the 3 extra days
$1,358
Senior Constable 2.10 base, calculated by us
The North and West means north of the 22nd parallel and west of 147°E, plus the township of Moranbah (cl 58.3). That takes in Mount Isa, Cloncurry, the Gulf and much of the Cape. The extra 3 days add to the remote incentives covered in our QPS force guide.
Public holidays and leave
- ✓ A public holiday during annual leave isn't debited from your balance (cl 58.4)
- ✓ Non-commissioned officers can't have a PDO rostered on a public holiday (cl 57.1(a))
- ✓ If you're rostered a rest day on a public holiday, you get an extra day off, taken like a PDO on a rostered work day (cl 57.1(b))
- ✓ Sick or carer's leave on a public holiday you were rostered to work is debited (cl 57.5)
What is a week of QPS leave worth?
The QPS pays fortnightly, and its annual figures are a fortnight's pay multiplied by 26.0893. A week of leave is half a fortnight's base pay, plus OSA if you're on it. The table uses the 1 July 2026 pay points.
Constable 1.1
- Annual base
- $78,505
- One week (base)
- $1,505
- One week with 21% OSA
- $1,820
- Six weeks (base)
- $9,027
- Six weeks with OSA
- $10,923
Constable 1.6
- Annual base
- $96,528
- One week (base)
- $1,850
- One week with 21% OSA
- $2,238
- Six weeks (base)
- $11,100
- Six weeks with OSA
- $13,431
Senior Constable 2.1
- Annual base
- $96,528
- One week (base)
- $1,850
- One week with 21% OSA
- $2,238
- Six weeks (base)
- $11,100
- Six weeks with OSA
- $13,431
Senior Constable 2.10
- Annual base
- $118,127
- One week (base)
- $2,264
- One week with 21% OSA
- $2,739
- Six weeks (base)
- $13,583
- Six weeks with OSA
- $16,436
Sergeant 3.1
- Annual base
- $118,127
- One week (base)
- $2,264
- One week with 21% OSA
- $2,739
- Six weeks (base)
- $13,583
- Six weeks with OSA
- $16,436
Sergeant 3.7
- Annual base
- $133,671
- One week (base)
- $2,562
- One week with 21% OSA
- $3,100
- Six weeks (base)
- $15,371
- Six weeks with OSA
- $18,599
Senior Sergeant 4.7
- Annual base
- $150,175
- One week (base)
- $2,878
- One week with 21% OSA
- $3,482
- Six weeks (base)
- $17,269
- Six weeks with OSA
- $20,895
| Pay point | Annual base | One week (base) | One week with 21% OSA | Six weeks (base) | Six weeks with OSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constable 1.1 | $78,505 | $1,505 | $1,820 | $9,027 | $10,923 |
| Constable 1.6 | $96,528 | $1,850 | $2,238 | $11,100 | $13,431 |
| Senior Constable 2.1 | $96,528 | $1,850 | $2,238 | $11,100 | $13,431 |
| Senior Constable 2.10 | $118,127 | $2,264 | $2,739 | $13,583 | $16,436 |
| Sergeant 3.1 | $118,127 | $2,264 | $2,739 | $13,583 | $16,436 |
| Sergeant 3.7 | $133,671 | $2,562 | $3,100 | $15,371 | $18,599 |
| Senior Sergeant 4.7 | $150,175 | $2,878 | $3,482 | $17,269 | $20,895 |
Calculated by us: weekly = annual ÷ 26.0893 ÷ 2. The 2026 pay points are QPS's official CUA rates (see the QPS salary page) and are a minimum before any 2027 CPI uplift. OSA is 21% of base, paid during annual leave to officers permanently on it (cl 58.2). Night shift allowances aren't included.
See your take-home pay with and without OSA
Choose Queensland and your pay point to see what a fortnight pays after tax. On annual leave, OSA officers keep the 21%.
Do QPS officers get leave loading, or OSA on leave?
It depends on whether you're on a consolidated allowance. The Operational Shift Allowance is paid "in lieu of shift and weekend penalty rates, public holiday rates, and annual leave loading" (cl 43.2). So you get one or the other, never both (cl 43.12).
NCO permanently on OSA, RSCS, One and Two Officer Station or QPCYWA allowance
- What you get on annual leave
- The allowance for the whole period of annual leave, instead of loading (cl 58.2)
- Senior Constable 2.10 example
- $2,853 OSA over 6 weeks
NCO not on a consolidated allowance
- What you get on annual leave
- 17.5% loading on 4 weeks' annual leave a year (cl 59.2)
- Senior Constable 2.10 example
- $1,585 a year
Commissioned officer
- What you get on annual leave
- 17.5% on 4 weeks, paid in the first pay of December for the previous calendar year (cl 59.1(a))
Shift-working commissioned officer
- What you get on annual leave
- Plus 0.5749% of base, paid fortnightly, while in a continuous shift position (cl 59.1(b))
| Who | What you get on annual leave | Senior Constable 2.10 example |
|---|---|---|
| NCO permanently on OSA, RSCS, One and Two Officer Station or QPCYWA allowance | The allowance for the whole period of annual leave, instead of loading (cl 58.2) | $2,853 OSA over 6 weeks |
| NCO not on a consolidated allowance | 17.5% loading on 4 weeks' annual leave a year (cl 59.2) | $1,585 a year |
| Commissioned officer | 17.5% on 4 weeks, paid in the first pay of December for the previous calendar year (cl 59.1(a)) | – |
| Shift-working commissioned officer | Plus 0.5749% of base, paid fortnightly, while in a continuous shift position (cl 59.1(b)) | – |
For an OSA officer, the allowance on leave is worth noticeably more than the loading would be. The trade-off comes on long service leave, where OSA isn't paid (cl 43.4). A Senior Constable 2.10 on OSA who takes 13 weeks' long service leave drops from about $2,739 a week to $2,264.
Temporary moves off the roster
If you leave an OSA position temporarily, OSA continues for up to 28 calendar days and then stops until you return (cl 43.11). After that, shift penalties and leave loading apply instead. Leaving the roster permanently ends OSA from that day (cl 43.10).
How do you earn the 38-hour OSA special leave credit?
Clause 43.14 rewards OSA officers who carry the weekend and public holiday load. To qualify for OSA in the first place, officers are expected to work up to 56 weekend shifts and up to 7 public holiday shifts in an equity year (cl 43.3). Meet the higher end of that and you get extra leave.
- 1
Be a non-commissioned officer on OSA
cl 43.14The shifts must be worked while you're receiving OSA. Shifts on a non-OSA roster don't count.
- 2
Work at least 46 weekend shifts
in one equity yearOr 368 ordinary hours of weekend work if you work 9 or 10-hour shifts.
- 3
Work at least 7 public holiday shifts
in one equity yearIn the same equity year. There's no pro-rata calculation of either threshold, under any circumstances.
- 4
Get 38 hours on day one of the next equity year
creditThe credit is one-off special leave, credited on the first day of the following equity year.
- 5
Use it by 30 September
deadlineIt must be used by 30 September of the year after it's granted, otherwise it may be forfeited.
38 hours at Senior Constable 2.10 (base)
$2,264
one 38-hour week, calculated by us
With OSA, if paid on it
$2,739
OSA is paid on approved paid leave (cl 43.4)
Part-time OSA officers
Full 38 hrs
if the full thresholds are met
The agreement doesn't say in terms whether OSA is paid on the special leave credit. Clause 43.4 pays OSA on "all forms of paid leave... as approved by the Service, except for long service leave", which suggests it is, but confirm with payroll. The Queensland Police Union can help if a credit is missing.
How do programmed days off work in the QPS?
A PDO is a rostered day off built into your hours. Clause 24.1 puts all officers on rosters that give PDOs on a 28-day basis, so non-commissioned officers usually work a 19-day month. Commissioned officers get one PDO in each 28-day roster too (cl 18.1).
- ✓ A PDO can be taken on its own or with leave or rest days (cl 24.1(b))
- ✓ If operations stop you taking it, it should be moved within the same roster; if you're directed to work it with no change, overtime is payable (cl 24.1(c)-(d))
- ✓ Officers at one and two officer stations and QPCYWAs can bank up to 5 PDOs (cl 24.2(a))
- ✓ Officers at 29 listed remote stations, including Mount Isa, Weipa, Thursday Island and Longreach, can bank up to 12 (cl 24.2(b))
- ✓ Sergeants and Senior Sergeants in OIC roles can bank up to 7 and 12 respectively, to be used within 12 months (cl 24.2(c))
- ✓ There's no cash in lieu of PDOs
PDOs aren't leave in the strict sense, but they matter for planning: a PDO next to a block of annual leave stretches your break without touching your balance.
What is the QPS 30 June annual leave target?
The Award lets you accumulate up to two years' annual leave, but clause 60.2 is blunt that this "is not a right or an entitlement: it is a limit on accruals". The Service sets a state-wide target each year, measured once, on 30 June.
Target balance on 30 June
304 hrs
most of the state (cl 60.3(b))
North and West target
342 hrs
cl 60.3(b)
Maximum accrual
2 years
Award limit (cl 60.2)
If you don't take enough leave voluntarily, you can be directed to, as long as the direction is fair and reasonable. It isn't considered fair to direct leave in blocks of less than a week generally, or less than two weeks in the North and West (cl 60.4). You can still ask for shorter periods yourself (the second cl 60.5).
Things the Service should be flexible about before directing leave (cl 60.5)
- ✓ Leave around the birth or adoption of a child
- ✓ A planned holiday, especially if you've paid a deposit
- ✓ Family occasions such as engagements and weddings
- ✓ Your other special needs
How much sick leave do QPS officers get?
Sick leave accrues at 0.31233 hours for each calendar day of service, or 15 days a year (cl 61.2). First Year Constables get a one-off 15 days at the start of the year, and ordinary accrual starts once they finish that first year as a Constable. At Constable 1.1, those 15 days are worth about $4,514 in base pay, calculated by us.
Sick Leave Bank
- What it means
- A shared bank you can draw on after your own leave runs out, under Schedule 4
- Clause
- 61.1
Weekend absences on OSA
- What it means
- OSA officers need a medical certificate for short absences on weekend shifts; uncertified ones count toward the Award's 6 working days a year
- Clause
- 61.3
Remote officers
- What it means
- A certificate from an allied health professional or registered nurse is accepted if you live remotely and can't see a doctor
- Clause
- 61.4
Telehealth
- What it means
- A telehealth certificate needs a verbal consultation with the practitioner
- Clause
- 61.5
OSA and other consolidated allowances
- What it means
- Paid for the first 26 weeks of sick leave, including the Sick Leave Bank; after that, case by case
- Clause
- 62
| Rule | What it means | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Sick Leave Bank | A shared bank you can draw on after your own leave runs out, under Schedule 4 | 61.1 |
| Weekend absences on OSA | OSA officers need a medical certificate for short absences on weekend shifts; uncertified ones count toward the Award's 6 working days a year | 61.3 |
| Remote officers | A certificate from an allied health professional or registered nurse is accepted if you live remotely and can't see a doctor | 61.4 |
| Telehealth | A telehealth certificate needs a verbal consultation with the practitioner | 61.5 |
| OSA and other consolidated allowances | Paid for the first 26 weeks of sick leave, including the Sick Leave Bank; after that, case by case | 62 |
Sick leave also affects your super insurance. QSuper's default income protection for police has a waiting period linked to your accrued sick leave and the Sick Leave Bank, so a healthy sick leave balance matters beyond paying for time off. If you're unwell for a long period, talk to your union about workers' compensation and the PTSD presumption for first responders.
How much long service leave do Queensland police get?
Clause 64 applies the ministerial directive on long service leave made under the Public Sector Act 2022, as amended from time to time. The current directive is 10/24, which took effect on 30 September 2024 and replaced 11/18.
Rate after 10 years
1.3 weeks
per year of continuous service (Dir 10/24 cl 6.1)
At 10 years
13 weeks
pro rata leave from 7 years (cl 8.1)
13 weeks at Senior Constable 2.10
$29,431
base only; OSA not paid on LSL
- ✓ The rate can be expressed as 6.5 working days or 1.3 calendar weeks per year (cl 6.1)
- ✓ The minimum period you can take at once is usually 1 calendar week, excluding public holidays (cl 11.1)
- ✓ You can take long service leave at half pay for any purpose, subject to the Service's convenience (cl 15)
- ✓ OSA isn't paid on long service leave (CA cl 43.4), and neither are most other consolidated allowances
What we checked
Directive 10/24's application clause lists public service employees and some named public sector entities. QPS police aren't listed by name, but CA clause 64 applies the directive's conditions to police officers. If your figures don't match, the Queensland Police Union or QPS payroll can confirm how it's applied.
How much parental leave do QPS officers get?
Clause 63 applies the paid parental leave directive. The current one is Directive 08/24, effective 30 September 2024. Unpaid parental leave itself comes from the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld); the directive pays you for the first part of it.
Long paid parental leave
- Paid
- 14 weeks (or 28 at half pay)
- Who it's for
- The parent on long unpaid parental leave, usually the main carer
- Directive clause
- 8.1, 8.6
Short paid parental leave
- Paid
- 1 week (or 2 at half pay)
- Who it's for
- The other parent, at the time of the birth or placement
- Directive clause
- 8.2
Superannuation
- Paid
- Paid for the whole 52 weeks of parental leave, paid or unpaid
- Who it's for
- All eligible employees, from 1 July 2024
| Leave | Paid | Who it's for | Directive clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long paid parental leave | 14 weeks (or 28 at half pay) | The parent on long unpaid parental leave, usually the main carer | 8.1, 8.6 |
| Short paid parental leave | 1 week (or 2 at half pay) | The other parent, at the time of the birth or placement | 8.2 |
| Superannuation | Paid for the whole 52 weeks of parental leave, paid or unpaid | All eligible employees, from 1 July 2024 | – |
14 weeks at Senior Constable 2.1
$25,899
base, calculated by us
Qualifying service
12 months
continuous (Dir 08/24 cl 6.2, 7.1)
Can't take both
14 + 1
one entitlement per employee (cl 8.3)
The 12 months can include service elsewhere in the Queensland public sector and recognised previous service. Paid leave includes public holidays that fall in it, and can be extended by taking sick leave while on it (cl 8.5, 8.7). An OSA officer who's been on OSA for at least 52 weeks and moves to restricted duties because of pregnancy keeps OSA, including on paid maternity leave (CA cl 43.11).
What other leave can QPS officers take?
Critical Incident Leave
- What you get
- Up to 3 days' paid leave after a critical incident, on top of other leave, granted subject to operational needs. Includes a reportable death in police operations, or a highly traumatic incident where someone dies or is hospitalised with serious injuries
- Clause
- CA cl 65
Domestic and family violence leave
- What you get
- As set by the current public sector directive
- Clause
- CA cl 66
Bereavement leave
- What you get
- As set by the special leave directive (bereavement parts only)
- Clause
- CA cl 67
Reproductive health leave
- What you get
- 10 days a year across the Queensland public sector from 2024; the agreement refers to it in allowance rules, but we haven't confirmed the QPS entitlement clause
- Clause
- forgov.qld.gov.au; CA cl 27.4
Leave without salary credited as service
- What you get
- As set by the directive on leave without salary
- Clause
- CA cl 87
| Leave | What you get | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Incident Leave | Up to 3 days' paid leave after a critical incident, on top of other leave, granted subject to operational needs. Includes a reportable death in police operations, or a highly traumatic incident where someone dies or is hospitalised with serious injuries | CA cl 65 |
| Domestic and family violence leave | As set by the current public sector directive | CA cl 66 |
| Bereavement leave | As set by the special leave directive (bereavement parts only) | CA cl 67 |
| Reproductive health leave | 10 days a year across the Queensland public sector from 2024; the agreement refers to it in allowance rules, but we haven't confirmed the QPS entitlement clause | forgov.qld.gov.au; CA cl 27.4 |
| Leave without salary credited as service | As set by the directive on leave without salary | CA cl 87 |
After a critical incident
The 3 days of Critical Incident Leave are in addition to your other leave. If you need to talk to someone, Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636; call 000 in an emergency. Your union and the QPS's internal support services can help you access leave and support.
What happens to your leave when you leave the QPS?
Directive 10/24 sets out how long service leave is paid when you leave. We didn't find annual leave payout rules in the certified agreement itself; the directive assumes recreation leave is also paid out on cessation (cl 19.2), and the Award governs it.
- 1
Long service leave you're entitled to
Dir 10/24 cl 18Paid out at the full-pay rate of your substantive position on the day you leave, less any leave already taken.
- 2
7 to 10 years' service
cl 20A pro-rata payment, but only if you leave because of significant ill health or incapacity, or a domestic or other pressing necessity, or you're dismissed for a reason other than conduct, capacity or performance, or unfairly dismissed.
- 3
5 years' service
cl 21A pro-rata payment on voluntary retirement at 55 or older, on ill-health retirement, or on death.
- 4
Public holidays
cl 19The payout includes public holidays that would have fallen during the leave if you'd taken it straight after leaving.
If you're transferring to another force, read our interstate transfer guide before you resign: recognition of service and leave varies by force.
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Frequently asked questions
How much annual leave do QPS officers get?
Queensland police officers accrue 6 weeks of annual leave a year, at 0.62466 hours for each calendar day of service, under clause 58.1 of the QPS Certified Agreement 2025. North of 22°S and west of 147°E, including Moranbah, it's 6 weeks and 3 days (0.68712 hours a day). Public holidays during annual leave aren't deducted from your balance.
What is the QPS OSA special leave credit?
Under clause 43.14, a non-commissioned officer on the Operational Shift Allowance who works at least 46 weekend shifts (or 368 ordinary hours on 9 or 10-hour shifts) and at least 7 public holiday shifts in an equity year gets a one-off 38-hour special leave credit on the first day of the next equity year. It must be used by 30 September the following year or may be forfeited.
Is the OSA special leave credit pro rata?
No. Clause 43.14 says there is no pro-rata calculation of the weekend and public holiday shift thresholds under any circumstances, and the shifts must be worked while you're receiving OSA. But a part-time or flexible-hours OSA officer who does meet the full thresholds gets the full 38 hours.
Do QPS officers get annual leave loading?
Non-commissioned officers who aren't on OSA or another consolidated allowance get 17.5% loading on 4 weeks a year (cl 59.2). Officers on OSA don't get loading; instead the 21% OSA keeps being paid for the whole of their annual leave (cl 58.2). Commissioned officers get 17.5% on 4 weeks, paid in the first pay of December.
Is OSA paid on leave in Queensland?
Yes, with limits. OSA is paid on all forms of paid leave approved by the Service, including workers' compensation, except long service leave (cl 43.4). On sick leave, consolidated allowances such as OSA are paid for the first 26 weeks; beyond that the Commissioner decides case by case (cl 62).
How much sick leave do QPS officers get?
Sick leave accrues at 15 days a year (0.31233 hours per calendar day). First Year Constables get a one-off 15 days at the start of their first year, and normal accrual begins after that year (cl 61.2). QPS also runs a Sick Leave Bank under Schedule 4 of the agreement.
How much long service leave do Queensland police get?
Clause 64 of the agreement applies the public sector long service leave directive. The current directive, 10/24, gives 1.3 calendar weeks for each year of continuous service once you complete 10 years (13 weeks at 10 years), with pro-rata leave available after 7 years. The minimum period is usually a week. OSA isn't paid on long service leave.
How much paid parental leave do QPS officers get?
Clause 63 applies the public sector paid parental leave directive. Directive 08/24 gives 14 weeks of long paid parental leave to the parent taking the main caring role and 1 week of short paid parental leave to the other parent, after 12 months' qualifying service. It can be taken at half pay, and super is paid for the whole 52-week parental leave period.
Evidence
Sources and how we checked them
Every figure on this page comes from the sources below, read on 10 October 2026. Pay rates and rules change when new agreements are made, so check the source for the date you're reading this. Where we couldn't confirm something from an official source, the page says so instead of guessing. Spotted an error? Read our corrections policy.
- Queensland Police Service Certified Agreement 2025 (QIRC CB/2025/116) — cl 24 PDOs, cl 43 OSA, cl 57-67 leave, cl 87 LWOP
- Queensland Directive 10/24: Long Service Leave (effective 30 September 2024) — cl 6 entitlement, cl 8 pro rata after 7 years, cl 18-21 payment on cessation
- Queensland Directive 08/24: Paid Parental Leave (effective 30 September 2024) — cl 7 qualifying service, cl 8 entitlements
- For government (Qld): superannuation on unpaid parental leave and reproductive health leave
- Queensland Police Union of Employees
Related guides
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More in this series
General information, not advice. This guide explains published rules and rates. It doesn't consider your personal circumstances and isn't financial, legal, tax or credit advice. Confirm anything you rely on with your force, your police association, the ATO or a licensed professional.