Message from the Chair and CEO
We are pleased to present the Corporate Plan 2020-23 for the Portable Long Service Benefits Authority (the Authority). This plan covers the periods 2020-21 to 2022-23 and sets out the Authority’s short and medium-term priorities along with its key measures for success.
The Authority’s vision is to deliver a quality Portable Long Service Benefits Scheme (the Scheme) to protect the benefits of those who are entitled to them. The Scheme allows eligible workers in the community services, contract cleaning and security industries to build up long service benefits based on time in their industry, rather than with a single employer.
We cannot achieve our vision alone. Our success relies on the collaboration of many different stakeholders including the employers and workers who are critical to the success of the Scheme.
By the end of the first full year of operations in 2019-20, the Authority will have built a remarkable foundation with over 100,000 registered workers – 30% greater than independent actuarial modelling had indicated.
It will be important for the Authority to maintain this momentum through a continued strategy of focussing on educating employers about the Scheme, as well as acknowledging that where necessary, enforcement options will need to be used to ensure that all workers who are required to be registered are registered.
To support the Authority’s vision, management will continue to invest in our internal capabilities and use technology to generate efficiencies where possible. We continue to invest in new ways to make our online portal the best it can be for our stakeholders.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge our staff, mostly based in Bendigo in regional Victoria, for their dedication during what has been a challenging year, with the effects arising from COVID-19 and its impact not just on work but everyone’s daily lives. Without our staff, we could not deliver on the Vision and Purpose that are set out in this document.
Julius Roe
Chair, Governing Board
Joseph Yeung
CEO and Registrar
Who we are
The Portable Long Service Benefits Authority is an independent statutory body established to administer the Long Service Benefits Portability Act 2018. The Act, together with the Interim Long Service Benefits Portability Regulations 2019, provides a scheme for the portability of long service benefits to eligible workers in the Community Services, Contract Cleaning and Security industries.
The Scheme was created in response to the Victorian Parliament’s Economic, Education, Jobs and Skills Committee inquiry into the portability of long service leave entitlements. It enables eligible workers to accrue long service benefits based on length of time employed in their respective industry, as opposed to the length of time employed by one employer.
Vision
Delivering a quality Portable Long Service Benefits Scheme to protect the benefits of those who are entitled to them.
Purpose
The Authority administers an effective Portable Long Service Benefits Scheme through prudent, sustainable investment and supporting all stakeholders – including employers and workers alike – as well as educating and enforcing every stakeholder’s role and interest in the Scheme.
Functions
The Authority has several key functions pursuant to the Long Service Benefits Portability Act 2018:
- administering the Portable Long Service Benefits Scheme in the covered industries
- making payments of benefits
- keeping registers of employers and workers
- resolving disputes as to the timing of taking long service leave
- consulting other industries that may be affected by decisions made under the Act in relation to covered industries
Independence
The Portable Long Service Benefits Authority was established as an independent statutory body with an official seal. Under the Act, the Authority may sue and be sued and acquire, hold and dispose of property.
Values
The Authority has adopted the Victorian Public Sector values, which underpin the behaviours that the government and community rightly expect of it. Acting consistently with these values strengthens the Authority’s capacity to operate effectively and achieve our objectives. These values are:
- Responsiveness – we are approachable and provide timely, useful and accurate information.
- Integrity – we have unbiased and honest interactions.
- Impartiality – we are firm and consistent in our application of the law.
- Accountability – we fulfil our objectives in a clear, transparent and responsible manner.
- Respect – we respect our stakeholders, each other and ourselves.
- Leadership – we seek to have a positive influence and to empower others.
- Human rights – we administer the law and deliver decisions, advice and policy that respect and support everyone’s human rights.
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