FAQ's RELATING TO AERRCB
Q1. Can I elect to remove myself from the ACBS - Various Pay Categories of 2006 and elect to receive the AERRCB?
A. No, under PACMAN vol 1, chap 3, part 5, div 19, clause 3.5.186.b. a member is not eligible to accept an AERRCB if that member has undertaken to perform a period of service for the purpose of a bonus payment under PACMAN vol 1, chap 3, part 5, div 7.
Q2. What makes someone an eligible member? Do you just need to be a CPL/SGT or CAPT/MAJ or is it trade specific? If eligible how do I apply or will eligible members be notified?
A. The AERRCB does not relate to trade specific. The bonus is for CPLs and SGTs who have completed two years continuous ARA/CFTS in worn rank and for CAPTs and MAJs who have completed three years continuous ARA/CFTS in worn rank as at 1 Mar 07 or 1 Mar 08. Unfortunately those members on a higher temporary rank (WO2 or LTCOL) do not qualify for the bonus in their substantive rank.
Unit CO/OC/ACO or administration staff will advise and process member's applications.
Q3. Has any consideration been made for those members who were promoted to SGT at the beginning of 2007 or CAPTs and MAJs who were promoted at the beginning of 2006?
A.CA understands the disappointment some soldiers and officers will face as a result of the rank retention initiatives. Pers Branch worked very hard leading up to 15 Dec 06 to develop an inclusive package of Army retention and recruitment initiatives for government approval. Some of Army's initiatives were agreed at Cabinet level and some were not. Army will continue to push those parts of the program that did not get up first time.
Q4. I was a CPL or SGT prior to changing employment category and am now a CPL or SGT again. Am I entitled to a bonus?
A. Only if you have worn your rank for a continuous period of two years as at 01 Mar 08. The qualifying period may also be served at a higher rank (eg, SGT reverts to CPL).
Q5. I was a CPL or SGT previously have changed employment category prior to the bonus dates and am now a PTE. Am I entitled to a bonus?
A. NO.
Q6. Can those on MSBS Benefit take this benefit as well? What is the impact of ROSO if the MSBS retention benefit has already been taken?
A member on MSBS will only be entitled to receive the$10k Retention bonus offer. Members currently undertaking an MSBS UFFS will not be entitled to the Completion bonus of $30k for three years additional service.
If a member elects to take the Retention bonus, they are to complete the 12 months ROSO on completion of their MSBS UFFS.
Q7. Can a member who is not yet eligible for the MSBS benefit take this benefit and then take the MSBS benefit when eligible?
A. YES.A member who will become eligible for the MSBS Retention bonus remains eligible to receive the AERRCB offer. The Completion bonus undertaking is not binding and a member may choose to transfer to the MSBS Retention bonus when eligible.
Members who transfer to a MSBS Retention benefit will not be entitled to the AERRCB of $30k for three years additional service
Q8. Will a period of HDA be considered as time in rank for the AERRCB?
A. NO, the bonus is based on worn rank (ie, temporary, provisional or substantive). Receipt of Higher Duties Allowance (HDA) DOES NOT count as time in rank.
Q9. IAW PACMAN vol 1, chap 3, part 5, div 19, clause 3.5.183.2a, 'a period of acting rank performed just before the period the member was promoted to that substantive rank' counts as 'time in rank' for the required two or three years. What is meant by the term 'acting rank?'
A. The referenced term 'acting rank' has caused some confusion when trying to determine AERRCB eligibility. The term 'acting rank'' is used for ADFPAY where members can only be recorded and paid for Substantive or Acting (ie, Temporary or Provisional) rank.
Acting rank does not include members posted to a higher rank position nor performing the duties of a superior in their absence.
Q10. Will an offer be made to members who are on a CSW that expires during the undertaking for further service period (ie after 01 Mar 08)?
A. YES. A member will be eligible to receive an offer however, they must firstly apply (prior to accepting a bonus offer) for a CSW extension to cover the period of service required for the Completion and/or Retention Bonus. It is not a requirement that such an application be approved.
Q11. Will an offer be made to members who will reach CRA or whose FPS will cease during the undertaking for further service period(s)?
A. YES. Such members will be eligible to receive an offer however, they must firstly apply (prior to accepting a bonus offer) to have their CRA or FPS extended to cover the period of service required for the Completion and/or Retention Bonus. It is not a requirement that such an application be approved.
Q12. If a member who has received the $10k Retention bonus is promoted during the 3-year completion period does that soldier lose the entitlement to receive the $30k Completion bonus?
A. NO, they are still eligible. The completion period undertaking can be served in the rank the member is in, or a higher rank.
Q13. If a member is promoted within the target ranks at any time during their 4 years undertaking or even promoted above the target ranks (ie WO2 or LTCOL) do they still remain eligible for the scheme?
A. YES they will remain eligible. The retention and completion period undertakings can be served in the rank the member is in, or a higher rank.
Q14. If a member is promoted to SGT WO2 MAJ or LTCOL during the period 02 Mar 08 -28 Feb 09 will they be entitled to the bonus for the eligible worn rank they held on 01 Mar 08.
A. YES. Eligibility is based on the member's worn rank on 01 March.
Q15. I am a lateral transfer and have not served the required 2 or 3 years time in rank and service (ie, ARA) as at 01 Mar 08, however my PMKeyS cohort/seniority date gives me a promotion date which satisfies the time in rank requirement. Am I eligible for the AERRCB?
A. NO. All lateral transfers must satisfy the time in rank and service criteria as at 01 Mar 08. Cohort/seniority dates do not determine 'time in rank' or 'time in service'.
Q16. If I currently have an MSBS UFFS do I need to complete Part C of the AERRC determination?
A. NO. If a member is serving an MSBS UFFS, they are not eligible to accept the 3 year Completion Bonus.
Q17. Can I sign up for the Retention bonus only?
A. YES, see questions 13 and 23 above. There is no requirement for members currently serving an MSBS UFFS to complete the Part C completion undertaking. Members who do not have a MSBS UFFS must complete both the retention (Part B) and completion (Part C) undertakings.
Q18. I am an ACO and eligible for the AERRCB, who is my approving authority?
A. The Senior Area Army Representative is to act as the 'CO' for an ACO if that member is identified as being potentially eligible for the AERRC bonus.
Q19. The offer package indicates that BOTH the Retention AND Completion Bonus undertakings must be accepted, yet the PACMAN lists the acceptance of both components as a requisite for only the Completion component (ie, completion undertaking is not a pre-requisite for the Retention component).
A. The offer packages support the PACMAN. The AERRCB Scheme is looking for people to sign on for an additional four years. There are two elements to the bonus. To receive the Completion element of the bonus, you must have received the Retention element of the bonus. Members on a current MSBS UFFS are not eligible for the completion element and are not required to complete the undertaking for Completion Bonus. We accept that there will be some members who may not complete the additional 3 years because of personal or service reasons.
Q20. I am currently on PTLWOP working 7/14. Am I entitled to the Retention Bonus and Completion Bonus?
YES, a member may be on PTLWOP, or any other type of non-effective service, and it will not extend the amount of time required to complete the 1-year undertaking in relation to the Retention Bonus.
The 3-year Completion period will be extended if a member proceeds on PTLWOP or accrues other forms of NES. The three years must be served as effective service. PACMAN vol 1, chap 3, part 5, div 19, clause 3.5.185.3. refers.
Q21. I am a CPL or SGT undertaking a Corps Transfer or panelled on a course which will result in my reduction in rank. Am I entitled to the AERRCB?
A. NO. When you commence a course or are panelled for a course you have acknowledged that at the end of the course you will revert in rank. You have, for all intents and purposes, left or are about to leave the rank the government is looking at retaining.
Q22. What if I fail the course and am returned to my previous unit and rank.
A. You will be eligible to receive the offer only if your PMKeyS record indicates that you failed or failed to complete the course on or before 28 Feb 09.
Q23. If I have been paid the Retention Bonus and subsequently decide to Trade/Corps transfer which will result in reversion in rank, will I have to repay the bonus?
A. NO. If you had not submitted an application for Trade/Corps transfer before accepting the bonus (ie, signing the Part B and C undertakings), pro-rata payment/recovery provisions will apply. Generally that means you will be eligible for pro-rata payment of the Completion Bonus up to and including the day before your reversion to a lower rank.
Q24. I am due for promotion and will have to complete a designated 12 month period of ROSO. When does this ROSO occur?
A. DI(G) PERS 33-2, para 15 states that ROSOs and undertakings are to be discharged consecutively in the following order:
First - IMPS and ROSO
Next - MSBS UFFS
Lastly - UTS associated with retention bonuses
Exception: Promotion ROSOs are served concurrently with a Retention/Completion Bonus UTS.