What leave do Victoria Police members get?
Leave for sworn police, Protective Services Officers and reservists is set by the Victoria Police Enterprise Agreement 2025, approved by the Fair Work Commission as AE528554. Parts 14 to 18 cover personal leave, recreation leave, parental leave, long service leave and other leave.
Recreation leave + accrued time off
- Entitlement
- 342 hours (9 weeks) a year, credited 1 July
- EA clause
- 130
Leave loading
- Entitlement
- 17.5% of base on the first 152 hours
- EA clause
- 131
Purchased leave
- Entitlement
- 1 to 4 weeks a year
- EA clause
- 135
Personal/carer's leave
- Entitlement
- 228 hours for the first 2 years, then 114 hours a year
- EA clause
- 113
Compassionate leave
- Entitlement
- 3 days each occasion
- EA clause
- 120
Family violence leave
- Entitlement
- Up to 20 days paid a year
- EA clause
- 128.3
Long service leave
- Entitlement
- Pro rata from 7 years; 3 months after 10 years (Victoria Police)
- EA clause
- 163-169
Parental leave, primary caregiver
- Entitlement
- 16 weeks paid + up to 36 weeks unpaid
- EA clause
- 147
Paid partner leave
- Entitlement
- 4 weeks
- EA clause
- 151
Defence force leave
- Entitlement
- Up to 20 days paid a year
- EA clause
- 172.5
Transfer leave
- Entitlement
- 1 day to pack, 1 day to unpack
- EA clause
- 174
Gender affirmation leave
- Entitlement
- 4 weeks paid + up to 52 weeks unpaid
- EA clause
- 176
| Leave | Entitlement | EA clause |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation leave + accrued time off | 342 hours (9 weeks) a year, credited 1 July | 130 |
| Leave loading | 17.5% of base on the first 152 hours | 131 |
| Purchased leave | 1 to 4 weeks a year | 135 |
| Personal/carer's leave | 228 hours for the first 2 years, then 114 hours a year | 113 |
| Compassionate leave | 3 days each occasion | 120 |
| Family violence leave | Up to 20 days paid a year | 128.3 |
| Long service leave | Pro rata from 7 years; 3 months after 10 years (Victoria Police) | 163-169 |
| Parental leave, primary caregiver | 16 weeks paid + up to 36 weeks unpaid | 147 |
| Paid partner leave | 4 weeks | 151 |
| Defence force leave | Up to 20 days paid a year | 172.5 |
| Transfer leave | 1 day to pack, 1 day to unpack | 174 |
| Gender affirmation leave | 4 weeks paid + up to 52 weeks unpaid | 176 |
Pay rates for every rank are in our Victoria Police salary guide, and the timeline of the 2025 deal is on the Victoria Police pay deal page.
How does the Victoria Police 9-week leave package work?
Clause 130.1 says an employee other than a recruit "is entitled to nine weeks (342 hours) leave comprised of seven weeks (266 hours) recreation leave plus 10 days (76 hours) accrued time off per year". The same clause says a 40-hour week is worked, with regular shift work, and public holidays "will be worked as rostered".
Recreation leave
266 hrs
7 weeks
Accrued time off (ATO)
76 hrs
10 days
Total
342 hrs
9 weeks a year
That's the key difference from other forces. Most of them give public holidays off or pay a public holiday penalty. Victoria rosters you through public holidays and builds the compensation into leave. Victoria Police's own description is 5 weeks' leave, 2 weeks in lieu of public holidays and 10 days of ATO.
How it's credited and debited
- ✓ The whole year's leave is credited at the start of each financial year, pro rata if you have less than 12 months' service (cl 130.2)
- ✓ A week of recreation leave gives you 7 days off, including 2 rest days, and uses 38 hours (cl 130.4)
- ✓ You can ask to take leave in single days, which Victoria Police may agree to (cl 130.5)
- ✓ Your working hours are 80 a fortnight, with 0.0463 of each hour accruing as time off, averaging 76 hours a fortnight (cl 25.1)
Upfront crediting cuts both ways
Because the year's leave is credited on 1 July, you can take it early. If you then leave part-way through the year, your balance is adjusted to what you actually accrued. Any leave taken beyond that is owed back and can be deducted from your final pay (cl 130.3).
What is Victoria Police leave worth at your rank?
Leave is paid at your ordinary rate, which in Schedule A already includes the 13% commuted penalty allowance for PSOs and Constable to Senior Sergeant (16.4% for Inspector and above). The table shows a week, the full 9-week package and the annual leave loading at the rates from 1 June 2026.
Constable, point 1
- Ordinary rate (annual)
- $84,060
- One week
- $1,611
- Nine weeks
- $14,499
- Leave loading a year
- $998
First Constable, point 4
- Ordinary rate (annual)
- $93,568
- One week
- $1,793
- Nine weeks
- $16,139
- Leave loading a year
- $1,111
Senior Constable, point 5
- Ordinary rate (annual)
- $102,648
- One week
- $1,967
- Nine weeks
- $17,705
- Leave loading a year
- $1,219
Senior Constable, point 12
- Ordinary rate (annual)
- $118,945
- One week
- $2,280
- Nine weeks
- $20,516
- Leave loading a year
- $1,412
Leading Senior Constable, point 16
- Ordinary rate (annual)
- $126,007
- One week
- $2,415
- Nine weeks
- $21,734
- Leave loading a year
- $1,496
Sergeant, point 1
- Ordinary rate (annual)
- $137,812
- One week
- $2,641
- Nine weeks
- $23,770
- Leave loading a year
- $1,636
Sergeant, point 6
- Ordinary rate (annual)
- $149,358
- One week
- $2,862
- Nine weeks
- $25,762
- Leave loading a year
- $1,773
Senior Sergeant, point 6
- Ordinary rate (annual)
- $164,913
- One week
- $3,161
- Nine weeks
- $28,445
- Leave loading a year
- $1,958
Inspector, point 1
- Ordinary rate (annual)
- $170,644
- One week
- $3,270
- Nine weeks
- $29,433
- Leave loading a year
- $1,967
PSO, point 1
- Ordinary rate (annual)
- $77,508
- One week
- $1,485
- Nine weeks
- $13,369
- Leave loading a year
- $920
| Rank and pay point | Ordinary rate (annual) | One week | Nine weeks | Leave loading a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constable, point 1 | $84,060 | $1,611 | $14,499 | $998 |
| First Constable, point 4 | $93,568 | $1,793 | $16,139 | $1,111 |
| Senior Constable, point 5 | $102,648 | $1,967 | $17,705 | $1,219 |
| Senior Constable, point 12 | $118,945 | $2,280 | $20,516 | $1,412 |
| Leading Senior Constable, point 16 | $126,007 | $2,415 | $21,734 | $1,496 |
| Sergeant, point 1 | $137,812 | $2,641 | $23,770 | $1,636 |
| Sergeant, point 6 | $149,358 | $2,862 | $25,762 | $1,773 |
| Senior Sergeant, point 6 | $164,913 | $3,161 | $28,445 | $1,958 |
| Inspector, point 1 | $170,644 | $3,270 | $29,433 | $1,967 |
| PSO, point 1 | $77,508 | $1,485 | $13,369 | $920 |
Calculated by us: ordinary rate ÷ 52.17857 weeks. Loading = 17.5% of base rate on 152 hours (four 38-hour weeks), where base = ordinary rate ÷ 1.13 (÷ 1.164 for Inspector). Excludes the Operational Readiness, General Duties and other allowances, and the shift allowances you'd earn at work.
At Senior Constable point 12, the 9-week package is worth about $20,516 of your $118,945 ordinary rate. Allowances in Schedules E and F, such as the Operational Readiness Allowance, sit outside the ordinary rate. Check with payroll whether they're paid during leave.
See what a leave fortnight pays after tax
Pick Victoria and your pay point to see your take-home pay. A week of recreation leave is half a fortnight's ordinary pay, plus loading on the first 152 hours.
How does Victoria Police leave loading work?
Clause 131.1 pays 17.5% of "the employee's base rate of pay for the first 152 hours of recreation leave taken in respect to each financial year" to members at or below Inspector. Superintendents and Commanders get 17.5% of the Superintendent point 1 base rate on the same 152 hours.
Loading rate
17.5%
of base, not ordinary rate
Hours it applies to
152
the first 152 each financial year
Senior Constable point 12
$1,412
a year, calculated by us
Two details matter. First, the loading is on the base rate, which strips out the commuted penalty, so it's smaller than 17.5% of your ordinary pay. Second, it's paid as you take the leave through the year (cl 131.2). If you only accrue part of a year, it's paid on 152 hours or the hours you accrued, whichever is less (cl 131.3).
Do you have to use your leave by 30 June?
Yes, unless carry-over is approved in advance. Clause 133.1 says employees "must exhaust their entitlement to recreation leave by 30 June in the financial year of which it has accrued", unless the employer has approved carrying it over.
- 1
Leave roster at the start of the year
cl 133.2Victoria Police may develop a leave roster with you at the start of the financial year, taking into account service delivery and your circumstances.
- 2
Check on 1 January
cl 133.4If more than half your recreation leave is still owing on 1 January and you don't have an agreed roster to use it by 30 June, a leave plan is developed with you.
- 3
Possible direction
cl 133.5You can be required to take leave, but only after discussing timing, considering your needs and giving at least a month's notice unless you agree otherwise.
- 4
After a long absence
cl 133.3If you've been away for an extended period, a leave plan is developed on your return to use the leave in the current year or within a reasonable time after.
Not wanting to take leave is not the same as being unable to. If operational demands stop you, ask in writing for carry-over approval before 30 June, and keep a copy.
Can Victoria Police cash out or buy leave?
Cashing out (cl 134)
Recreation leave can't be cashed out except under clause 134. You and Victoria Police can agree in writing to cash out a set amount where either you'll have a balance at 30 June that isn't approved for carry-over, or your balance is more than 7 weeks (not counting purchased leave).
- ✓ The agreement must state the amount cashed out, the payment and the payment date
- ✓ The payment can't be less than you'd have been paid for taking the leave at that time
- ✓ Your remaining recreation leave can't drop below 4 weeks
- ✓ Each cash-out is a separate written agreement, kept as an employee record
Purchased leave (cl 135)
You can apply to buy between 1 and 4 weeks of leave a year on top of the 9-week package. An application can only be rejected on reasonable business grounds. The bought leave must be used in the same financial year. If you need to cancel some or all of it, give 28 days' notice where you can, and you'll be paid a lump sum equal to what was deducted for the cancelled part.
Cash out when
- ✓You're over 7 weeks and can't use it by 30 June
- ✓You want the money and will still have 4 weeks left
- ✓A direction to take leave would clash with plans
Buy leave when
- ✕You need more time off than 9 weeks, for family or study
- ✕You can absorb a lower take-home pay over the year
- ✕You want the certainty of a refund if plans change
The agreement doesn't set out the formula for how much is deducted for purchased leave, so ask payroll for a written figure before you sign up.
How much personal and carer's leave do Victoria Police get?
Clause 113 front-loads personal leave. When you finish initial training you're given 228 hours, which covers your first two years of service. From the end of year 2 you get 114 hours each year (cl 113.4, 113.6). Victoria Police describes this as 15 days a year.
Recruit in training
- Personal/carer's leave
- 5.85 hours for each 4 weeks (or part) of training
- Clause
- 113.3
After initial training
- Personal/carer's leave
- 228 hours upfront, covering 2 years
- Clause
- 113.4
From year 3
- Personal/carer's leave
- 114 hours each year
- Clause
- 113.6
Serious illness
- Personal/carer's leave
- Paid special sick leave of up to 3 months, at Victoria Police's discretion
- Clause
- 118
| Stage | Personal/carer's leave | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Recruit in training | 5.85 hours for each 4 weeks (or part) of training | 113.3 |
| After initial training | 228 hours upfront, covering 2 years | 113.4 |
| From year 3 | 114 hours each year | 113.6 |
| Serious illness | Paid special sick leave of up to 3 months, at Victoria Police's discretion | 118 |
You can use it if you're unfit for work, or to care for or support a member of your immediate family or household who's ill, injured or affected by an unexpected emergency (cl 114). Paid leave counts as service for accruing it, and unpaid parental leave of up to 6 months in the first 52 weeks also counts (cl 113.1-113.2).
Bring your sick leave with you
If you joined on or after 1 December 2019 from another Australian police force or the ADF with a break of 12 months or less, you can ask for that service to be recognised for personal leave. You must apply within 6 months of appointment with your full service history and leave balance (cl 119). See our interstate transfer guide.
How much long service leave do Victoria Police get?
Clause 163 says long service leave follows the Victoria Police Act, the Victoria Police Regulations 2024 and the Long Service Leave Act 2018 (Vic). Victoria Police's salary and benefits page states the amount: 3 months on full pay or 6 months on half pay after 10 years' service.
After 10 years
3 months
or 6 months at half pay
Pro-rata access
7 years
continuous service (cl 164.1)
3 months at Senior Constable pt 12
$29,736
calculated by us
- ✓ You can request long service leave for as little as a day (cl 166.1)
- ✓ You're paid as if you'd stayed on duty (cl 167.1); if your hours changed in the last 104 weeks, a more generous averaging rule applies (cl 167.2)
- ✓ Victoria Police may let you take it at half pay for twice as long (cl 168.1)
- ✓ A public holiday during long service leave isn't counted as leave and you get a day off in lieu (cl 169.1)
- ✓ Unpaid leave of 52 weeks or less counts as service (cl 165.1)
- ✓ Any pro-rata leave taken after 7 years is offset against your later entitlement (cl 164.2)
How much parental leave do Victoria Police get?
Part 16 is one of the more generous parental leave schemes in Australian policing. The table is clause 138's summary. Paid weeks can be taken at half pay for twice as long.
Primary caregiver (cl 147)
- Paid
- 16 weeks (or 32 at half pay)
- Unpaid
- Up to 36 weeks
- Total
- 52 weeks
Secondary caregiver (cl 148)
- Paid
- 4 weeks (or 8 at half pay)
- Unpaid
- Up to 48 weeks
- Total
- 52 weeks
Secondary caregiver who takes over primary care within 78 weeks (cl 148.2)
- Paid
- An extra 12 weeks
- Unpaid
- Up to 36 weeks
- Total
- 52 weeks
Permanent care or fostering, primary / secondary (cl 149)
- Paid
- 16 / 4 weeks
- Unpaid
- Up to 36 / 48 weeks
- Total
- 52 weeks
Paid maternity leave, 31+ weeks' service, not primary carer (cl 150)
- Paid
- 14 weeks (or 28 at half pay)
- Unpaid
- Up to 38 weeks
- Total
- 52 weeks
Paid partner leave (cl 151)
- Paid
- 4 weeks (or 8 at half pay)
- Unpaid
- Up to 48 weeks
- Total
- 52 weeks
Grandparent leave (cl 152)
- Paid
- None
- Unpaid
- Up to 52 weeks
- Total
- 52 weeks
| Leave | Paid | Unpaid | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary caregiver (cl 147) | 16 weeks (or 32 at half pay) | Up to 36 weeks | 52 weeks |
| Secondary caregiver (cl 148) | 4 weeks (or 8 at half pay) | Up to 48 weeks | 52 weeks |
| Secondary caregiver who takes over primary care within 78 weeks (cl 148.2) | An extra 12 weeks | Up to 36 weeks | 52 weeks |
| Permanent care or fostering, primary / secondary (cl 149) | 16 / 4 weeks | Up to 36 / 48 weeks | 52 weeks |
| Paid maternity leave, 31+ weeks' service, not primary carer (cl 150) | 14 weeks (or 28 at half pay) | Up to 38 weeks | 52 weeks |
| Paid partner leave (cl 151) | 4 weeks (or 8 at half pay) | Up to 48 weeks | 52 weeks |
| Grandparent leave (cl 152) | None | Up to 52 weeks | 52 weeks |
16 weeks at Senior Constable pt 5
$31,476
calculated by us, ordinary rate
Pre-natal leave
38 hrs
pregnant employee; 10 hrs for a partner
Assisted reproductive treatment
80 hrs
a year (cl 139.1)
Paid primary and secondary caregiver leave, maternity leave and partner leave all count as service for recreation and long service leave accrual. Partner leave doesn't have to be taken in one block, and can be taken from a week before the due date to 51 weeks after the birth (cl 151).
What other leave can Victoria Police take?
Compassionate leave
- What you get
- 3 days paid each time a member of your immediate family or household has a life-threatening illness or injury, or dies
- Clause
- 120
Family violence leave
- What you get
- Up to 20 days special paid leave a year, with confidentiality protections
- Clause
- 128
Critical incident
- What you get
- Access to a flexible roster for the two shifts after a rostered shift where you attended a critical incident
- Clause
- 129
Anzac Day
- What you get
- Leave without loss of pay to march or attend a service if you're an eligible serviceperson, subject to operations
- Clause
- 170
NAIDOC and ceremonial leave
- What you get
- 1 day NAIDOC leave and up to 3 days paid ceremonial leave a year for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members
- Clause
- 171
Defence force leave
- What you get
- Up to 20 days paid a calendar year, then make-up pay
- Clause
- 172
Transfer leave
- What you get
- 1 day to pack and 1 day to unpack when you must relocate home
- Clause
- 174
Leave without pay
- What you get
- On request; refusal only on reasonable business grounds, in writing
- Clause
- 175
Gender affirmation leave
- What you get
- 4 weeks paid plus up to 52 weeks unpaid
- Clause
- 176
| Leave | What you get | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Compassionate leave | 3 days paid each time a member of your immediate family or household has a life-threatening illness or injury, or dies | 120 |
| Family violence leave | Up to 20 days special paid leave a year, with confidentiality protections | 128 |
| Critical incident | Access to a flexible roster for the two shifts after a rostered shift where you attended a critical incident | 129 |
| Anzac Day | Leave without loss of pay to march or attend a service if you're an eligible serviceperson, subject to operations | 170 |
| NAIDOC and ceremonial leave | 1 day NAIDOC leave and up to 3 days paid ceremonial leave a year for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members | 171 |
| Defence force leave | Up to 20 days paid a calendar year, then make-up pay | 172 |
| Transfer leave | 1 day to pack and 1 day to unpack when you must relocate home | 174 |
| Leave without pay | On request; refusal only on reasonable business grounds, in writing | 175 |
| Gender affirmation leave | 4 weeks paid plus up to 52 weeks unpaid | 176 |
If you're struggling after a critical incident, use the support services Victoria Police provides and talk to The Police Association Victoria. Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636; call 000 in an emergency.
What leave do Victoria Police recruits get?
Recruits aren't on the 9-week package. Clause 132.1 gives a recruit 5.107 hours of recreation leave for each completed week of initial training. Over a full year that would be about 266 hours, close to the 266 hours of recreation leave a sworn member gets.
Recreation leave
5.107 hrs
per week of training (cl 132.1)
Personal leave
5.85 hrs
per 4 weeks of training (cl 113.3)
Special leave
10 days
maximum, paid, at discretion (cl 173.1)
If you don't complete training, you're paid for any untaken recreation leave (cl 132.2). Once sworn, you move to the full package, pro rata for the rest of the financial year. For what recruits earn, see police recruit pay while training.
What happens to your leave when you leave Victoria Police?
- 1
Recreation leave adjusted
cl 130.3If you leave during a financial year, your balance is reset to what you actually accrued. Untaken leave is paid in lieu; leave taken in advance is owed back and can be deducted from your final pay.
- 2
Loading adjusted
cl 131.4Your leave loading entitlement is adjusted on the same basis.
- 3
Long service leave
cl 163-164The Long Service Leave Act 2018 (Vic) governs payment on leaving. The agreement gives pro-rata access after 7 years' continuous service.
- 4
Leave that isn't paid out
cl 171NAIDOC week leave, paid ceremonial leave and First Peoples' Assembly leave aren't paid out on termination.
We didn't check how the Long Service Leave Act treats pro-rata payouts for every reason for leaving, so ask payroll or the Association for a written statement before you resign. Payouts are taxed: see the ATO's guidance on unused leave payments.
Free email alerts
Changes to Victoria Police leave and conditions
Get an email when the Victoria Police agreement is varied or replaced, with what changes to the 9-week package, leave loading, cash-out rules, personal leave and parental leave.
- ✓New agreement clauses the week they're approved
- ✓What each change means for your balance and pay
Frequently asked questions
How much annual leave do Victoria Police get?
Members other than recruits get 9 weeks (342 hours) a year under clause 130.1 of the Victoria Police Enterprise Agreement 2025: 7 weeks (266 hours) of recreation leave plus 10 days (76 hours) of accrued time off. Victoria Police describes it as 5 weeks' leave, 2 weeks in lieu of public holidays and 10 days of accrued time off. It is credited at the start of each financial year.
Why do Victoria Police get 9 weeks' leave?
Members work a 40-hour week of regular shift work, and public holidays are worked as rostered rather than taken off (cl 130.1). Part of the package compensates for that: Victoria Police says 2 weeks are in lieu of public holidays, and the 10 days of accrued time off reflect the extra hours worked above an average 38-hour week.
Do Victoria Police get leave loading?
Yes. Members at or below Inspector get 17.5% of their base rate of pay on the first 152 hours of recreation leave taken each financial year (cl 131.1). Superintendents and Commanders get 17.5% of the Superintendent point 1 base rate. The loading is paid as you take the leave, not as a lump sum.
Can Victoria Police cash out annual leave?
Only by written agreement, and only if you would otherwise carry a balance past 30 June without approval, or your balance is more than 7 weeks (not counting purchased leave). You must keep at least 4 weeks after the cash-out, and the payment can't be less than you'd get by taking the leave (cl 134).
How much sick leave do Victoria Police get?
Personal and carer's leave is 228 hours granted in advance for your first 2 years after initial training, then 114 hours a year (cl 113). Victoria Police says 15 days a year. Recruits get 5.85 hours for each 4 weeks of training. Paid special sick leave of up to 3 months can be granted for serious illness (cl 118).
How much long service leave do Victoria Police get?
Victoria Police says members get 3 months on full pay or 6 months on half pay after 10 years. The agreement gives pro-rata access after 7 years' continuous service (cl 164.1) and applies the Long Service Leave Act 2018 (Vic). Public holidays during long service leave give a day off in lieu (cl 169).
How much paid parental leave do Victoria Police get?
A primary caregiver gets 16 weeks' paid parental leave plus up to 36 weeks unpaid (cl 147). A secondary caregiver gets 4 weeks paid, plus up to 12 more paid weeks if they take over primary care within 78 weeks (cl 148). Partners get 4 weeks paid partner leave (cl 151), and paid leave can be taken at half pay for twice as long.
Can I buy extra leave in Victoria Police?
Yes. Clause 135 lets you apply to buy between 1 and 4 weeks of extra leave a year. Applications can only be refused on reasonable business grounds. You must use it in the same financial year, and if you cancel with 28 days' notice you're refunded what was deducted for the cancelled part.
Evidence
Sources and how we checked them
Every figure on this page comes from the sources below, read on 9 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.
- Victoria Police (Police Officers, PSOs and Reservists) Enterprise Agreement 2025, [2025] FWCA 1135, AE528554 — cl 113-129 personal and other leave; cl 130-135 recreation leave; cl 136-162 parental leave; cl 163-176 LSL and other leave
- Victoria Police: salary and benefits — 9-week description, 15 days personal leave, LSL quantum
- Long Service Leave Act 2018 (Vic)
- The Police Association Victoria
Related guides
Serving officers
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.