New Coal LSL legislation introduced to Parliament

On 26 November 2025, the Federal Government introduced legislation to the House of Representatives to address the impacts of recent court judgments on some employers in the black coal mining industry and their obligations to the Coal LSL Scheme.

The Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (the Bill) proposes to:

1. replace the current additional levy rate with a rate tied to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s cash rate, and

2. offer entities with a historical debt to Coal LSL a pathway into a payment arrangement, whereby they would pay levy in instalments over 6 years, with the remaining 20% of the debt waived when they reach an 80% payment threshold.

Once the new legislation is passed by both houses of Parliament and receives Royal Assent, it will:

1. provide Coal LSL with a more effective compliance tool to deal with the late payment of levies, and

2. bring more eligible employees into the Coal LSL scheme as their employers acknowledge and meet their historical and current obligations to the Scheme.

Employers who consider they may have obligations with respect to eligible employees that may give rise to an historical debt to Coal LSL are encouraged to contact us to discuss how the Scheme operates and how they can best prepare for the implementation of the new legislation.

By engaging with us early, employers will be better placed to comply with the new legislation.

To obtain further information about the new legislation, please email newlegislation@coallsl.com.au to arrange a discussion about the Bill and how it may apply to you.

• View the Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

• Read The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP media release