THE Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) and the ADF are working together to recognise the worth of WO1s, acknowledging that they contribute in many different ways throughout their careers.

Col Terry McCullagh, Director Military Salaries and Allowances Policy, said that for too long “WO1 members have been paid according to their rank, with no differentiation for the type of work they do”.

“With an eight-grade pay structure established last October, the next step is working out where existing WO1 members should be placed, and making sure that members are recognised and rewarded as they take on more responsibility,” Col McCullagh said.

“It is also important that members promoted from WO2 are recognised and rewarded for their increased responsibilities. The ADF has developed a proposal that will make all of this happen.”
On May 25, the DFRT met with WO1(E) members from across the Services and the nation to talk about the ADF’s proposal.

Discussion was frank and fully tested the merits of the proposal.
Col McCullagh called the meeting a “huge success”.

“We were scheduled to officially submit our proposal to the Tribunal by mid-June but the Tribunal was so impressed by the members’ reaction and comments that now they want our submission ASAP,” he said.

“This is a great example of the Tribunal’s willingness and ability to meet ADF members’ pay needs quickly.”
The ADF is finalising its submission, which requests that the changes take effect from August 9, in line with changes to ORs’ pay.
Future pay reform for WO1 members recognises the group of members working to the highest level.

For remuneration reform updates, including detail on the ADF WO1 proposal, visithttp://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/

WHAT’S PROPOSED

• PGs 2-4 will become PG2.
  
• PGs 5-6 will become PG3.
  
• PGs 7-8 will become PG4.
  
• PGs 9-10 will become PG5
  
• PGs 11-12 will become PG6.
  
• PGs 13-14 will become PG7.
  
• PGs 15-16 will become PG8.
  
• Under the current pay structure, all WO1 members are paid at PG2 unless they previously received a qualification and skill allowance.
  
• Under the ADF proposal, placement will be initially determined by how WO1s were employed as WO2s. This recognises that initial WO1 jobs are generally trade or trade-related.
  
• For example, a WO2 member in PG5 will migrate to PG3 in the WO1 structure. Importantly, this migration ensures all WO2 members receive additional pay when promoted to WO1. Additionally, the ADF proposal seeks greater remuneration for WO1 members working in higher tier positions.