Member's Guide to ADF Pay and Conditions in Australia – see Disclaimer – check PACMAN for full details

4.2 Higher duties allowance

You may be directed to temporarily work in a higher level job. You may then be entitled to higher duties allowance.

A higher level job is one with a higher rank or employment level. The higher job may be vacant, or the usual person might be on leave or other duties. A vacant job may not always be filled. For example, duties may be shared between other members.

Higher duties allowance is not paid unless you are told to perform the higher job for five continuous working days or more. The allowance is generally the difference between your pay and the pay for the higher job.

The allowance will be paid in full if you are doing all the duties of a job one or more levels higher. You may be directed to work in a job that is two or more ranks higher, and be told not to perform all of the duties. A partial allowance may be paid in this case.

Your higher duties can be stopped early. For instance, a decision may be made to not fill the vacancy in future. It will also be stopped after three months if you have not been posted to the higher position.

Application to Reservists:  If you are on continuous full-time service, this applies. If you are on Reserve service, it applies if you do higher duties for a continuous period of five days. Part days can be counted. The period does not include days you are not required to be at work.

Reference:  ADF Pay and Conditions Manual, Chapter 4 Part 1

Form: AD288 - Approval for Payment of Higher Duties Allowance