Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2005/Employment conditions - 'looking good'

By CMDR Kate Gilmore Staff Officer, Directorate of Navy Employment Conditions

Service members will pleased to know the Directorate of Navy Employment Conditions (DNEC) continues to advocate on behalf of members for improved conditions of service. A number of goals were achieved in 2004, particularly in the area of financial conditions of service, the hip pocket area!

In March 2004, the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal agreed to a 10 per cent pay rise for military members. The first two salary increases totalling 6.5 per cent were paid in 2004.

Another pay rise of 2 per cent is due to hit pay packets on June 16. The last increment of 1.5 per cent for this workplace remuneration arrangement will take effect on March 9 next year.

As well as salary being reviewed at regular intervals, allowances are reviewed every two years. For our underwater readers, Diving Allowance was reviewed in August 2004. There was no change to the daily rate, however, eligibility was extended to underwater medicine sailors. They are eligible to receive this allowance when they provide therapeutic treatment in a recompression chamber.

While on the subject of medical treatment, the Navy Medical Grades (Additional Responsibility) Allowance, was also reviewed. This allowance, which was formerly known as Med Grade Four Allowance, has been increased and the eligibility criteria relaxed. Now, senior medical sailors (med grade 3, med grade 4 and underwater medicine) are eligible to receive the allowance when on a seagoing vessel without a medical officer on board.

A review of Higher Duties Allowance has also taken place. The revised policy is due for release shortly. While the revision does not appreciably change the status quo, a number of examples have been included. These should clarify the criteria for eligibility and improve the approval process.

There are many other reviews and initiatives bubbling away in the Defence personnel policy and conditions of service area. DNEC is representing your interests in a range of areas including housing, "living in" accommodation, childcare and leave reform. These matters are ongoing and more information will be published as it becomes available.

DNEC is instrumental in the development of personnel policy and conditions of service, both single service and tri-service. We are able to provide policy advice to commands and other decision-makers to enable fair and lawful judgements.

The DPE website http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/dpe/ will provide useful information on current policies particularly the link to the pay, conditions, personnel policy and human resources. For comparison with an equivalent employment opportunity outside you may wish to visit the CEVAM link http://aurora.cbr.defence.gov.au/cypmain.htm.

For more information call DNEC on 02 6265 1851 or 02 6265 3227