(1)  For the purposes of this Part, the length of employment is to be calculated from the commencement of continuous service as an employee of one or more councils, and includes –

(a) any period of employment in a temporary capacity on probation; and

(b) any period of absence on leave, with or without pay; and

(c) any period of absence on leave for the purpose of serving as a member of any of Australia's defence forces.

(2)  If any employee is granted a period of long service leave, whether with or without pay, for any period of or exceeding 90 days, that period is not included as part of the period of employment for the purpose of calculating the long service leave, but that leave is not to be taken as breaking the continuity of employment.

(3)  If an employee has held any permanent office in another council, and has accepted an office or position in a council directly from the other office, the length of employment is to be calculated from the date on which the employee was permanently appointed to the other office.

(4)  Any long service leave granted to an employee referred to in subsection (3) while in the employment of the first-mentioned council is taken to have been granted under this section.