Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2007/Remuneration reform program
An update by Navy pay case manager LCDR Jayne Craig
The ADF Remuneration Reform Project (RRP) continues to create a more contemporary and flexible pay structure for ADF members.
This was demonstrated by the introduction of the new graded pay structure for officers and warrant officers (WOs) that was implemented on October 5.
Most officers and WOs are now on Pay Grade 2, which represents the old officers and WOs Common Scale of pay.
Those who were previously receiving qualifications and skill allowances - flying, special operations, special action forces and submarine service allowances - are now placed in one of the higher grades, corresponding to the amount of the common scale plus the allowance.
These qualification and skills allowances have ceased to exist for officers and warrant officers, however the 'rules' that applied to the allowances remain. In particular, the rules governing eligibility and 'sunset clauses' remain in force.
But what of future pay reform?
Now that the ADF has a graded structure for officers and warrant officers, Defence has the ability to change the way it pays specific employment groups.
However, to move any employment group to a new pay grade, the ADF must conduct a full work value assessment, analyse the group against existing benchmarks, and submit a case to the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) for consideration.
On September 28 RAAF air traffic controllers became the first officer employment group considered by the DFRT for placement within the new structure.
The ADF engineer officer pay case was heard by the DFRT on November 29 and 30. The case was presented on the ADF's behalf by the Defence Force Advocate, Mr Richard Kensie, and each of the Services provided witness testimony to the hearing with the Director General Navy Personnel and Training, CDRE Nigel Coates, and the Chief Navy Engineer, CDRE Rick Longbottom, representing the Navy aspects of the case. The DFRT recently made an interim decision to place ADF engineers in Pay Group 3. Engineers already in a pay group higher than Pay Group 3 will remain in their current pay group.
Navy sought an early decision for engineers to recognise the remuneration aspects affecting their retention. The DFRT's interim decision is the first step in achieving this. The DFRT is expected to provide final placement when it considers the broader ADF officer pay case later this year.
This interim placement does not fully address the remuneration aspects of Navy engineer officer retention, therefore DGNPT is currently reviewing the existing Navy engineer retention allowances. At this stage in the short-term the retention allowances for Navy WE/ME/AERO engineers will remain unchanged.
Navy is committed to achieving a successful DFRT outcome. As a reflection of Navy's commitment, the Navy pay case team has been established to manage our input into pay cases this year. DFRT hearings are expected mid-year for WOs to be followed closely by the broader ADF officer case.
Work is also continuing on the implementation of the sailor's new pay structure which was approved by the DFRT late last year. The new pay structure involves the incorporation of the qualification and skill allowances into sailor's salary in a manner consistent with the Officer and WO pay structure. It is due to be implemented in August.
More information on all of these cases will be advised via signal, Navy News and SeaTalk in the coming months.
For more details on the background to the remuneration reform program visit intranet.defence.gov.au/pac/ or www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac and click on the Remuneration Reform Project link.
For further information on Navy's pay cases contact the Navy pay case team:
- LCDR Jayne Craig, Navy pay case manager, 02 6265 3149, Jayne.Craig@defence.gov.au
- CMDR Chris Morris, Seaman pay case coordinator, 02 6266 7694, Chris.Morris3@defence.gov.au
- CMDR Shane Glassock, Supply pay case coordinator, 02 6266 7694, Shane.Glassock@defence.gov.au
- WOATV Dave Larter, WO pay case coordinator, 02 6265 1176, David.Larter1@defence.gov.au
