The Victorian Government is conducting a statutory review of the Long Service Benefits Portability Act 2018. This review, which includes an examination of arrangements for making claims and administrative user-friendliness after response to feedback from employers.
The prolonged process of applying for portable long service leave refunds and the subsequent delays in receiving these refunds have led to cash flow challenges, putting many organisations and small businesses in a precarious position.
“In response to feedback and an increase in claims, the Authority has established a dedicated Claims team in the past 12 months.
“Commitments to refining its processes to enhance the efficiency of claims reimbursement must be made a priority, ensuring more consistent timeframes for processing future claims for reimbursement,” said Ms Benham.
“I understand that the reimbursement process currently takes up to four months due to the careful calculation of a worker’s entitlement, taking into account the employer’s Quarterly Return.
“While I acknowledge the importance of accuracy in determining entitlements, I am hopeful that ongoing efforts to streamline these processes will lead to further improvements,” said Ms Benham.
“This is just another example of the Allan Government double dipping, putting more pressure on already struggling businesses.’’
