How much annual leave do full-time employees get in Australia?

The NES provides four weeks of paid annual leave per year for full-time employees (based on ordinary hours). Some awards or agreements provide more.

How is pro-rata calculated?

For each month of service, you accrue roughly one-twelfth of the yearly entitlement. This tool uses a 20-day baseline for a standard five-day week (4 weeks × 5 days).

Do casuals get annual leave?

Casual employees generally receive a casual loading instead of paid annual leave unless classified incorrectly. Seek Fair Work guidance if unsure.

Does unused leave roll over?

Usually yes, unless cashed out under specific rules in an award or agreement. Check your instrument and employer policy.

Last updated: 01.05.2026

Australia

Australia Annual Leave Calculator

Pro-rata annual leave days for full-time employees under the National Employment Standards (4 weeks per year baseline).

NES baseline for ordinary full-time hours. Awards, enterprise agreements, casuals and broken service change outcomes. Not legal advice.

Pro-rata leave (days)

Full-time NES baseline — 20 days per 12 months.

Accrued days: 10 (~2 weeks)

Based on NES full-time ordinary hours (typically 4 weeks annual leave per year, often shown as 20 days for a 5-day week). Casuals, awards, and agreements differ — check Fair Work.

NES annual leave basics

Enter months worked in the current leave year or since hire. The tool applies the common full-time shorthand of twenty days per twelve months for a Monday–Friday pattern (four standard work weeks). Shift workers with 38-hour averages may still use days, but awards can express leave in hours.

Employers often show leave balances on payslips. Compare this estimate with your HR system if numbers diverge.

Awards, agreements and long service leave

Modern awards can add extra weeks or different accrual rates. Enterprise agreements override awards where permitted. Long service leave is a separate entitlement with state-based rules.

If you are negotiating resignation or redundancy, review our redundancy pay and HECS calculators alongside leave cash-out rules.