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Salary restructure
Edition 1169, June 28, 2007 |
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On the horizon: Lt Will Langdon gives orders to his platoon staff in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan. Officers will be paid based on their contribution to ADF capability under an ADF proposal.
Photo by Capt Haydn Barlow |
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DEFENCE recognises that pay is a key factor for members deciding whether to stay in the ADF, and also for anyone thinking about joining, which is why it is reforming ADF pay.
A major milestone for improving officer pay was the introduction of the Graded Officer Pay Structure (GOPS) on October 5, 2006.
GOPS is a 10-graded pay structure for O1-O6 officers. The new structure spans the salaries for these officers and has rolled in the qualification and skill (Q&S) components for special operations, special action forces, flying and submarine service allowances.
GOPS does not cover O7-O8 officers, who have a separate banded salary structure, according to Col Terry McCullagh, Director Military Salaries and Allowances Policy.
“The best thing about GOPS is that it provides a structure that allows members to be paid based on their contribution to ADF capability, rather than time spent in rank,” Col McCullagh said.
Under the ADF proposal, “contribution” will be measured against the three principles of work value, capability and sustainability.
The ADF proposal also recognises the enduring nature of command value. This principle recognises that when members work in a command role, they gain valuable skills that benefit their future non-command roles, and so their pay should stay at the command rate.
The ADF has submitted its proposal to the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) to place all officer employment categories in the GOPS based on these principles. GOPS placement has been requested to take effect from August 9, in line with changes to the ORs pay structure.
The proposal is being considered by the DFRT. The ADF hopes the proposal will be approved by the end of July.
While work value, capability and sustainability are the agreed principles for officer placement within GOPS, each of the Services has their own view on which principles should have greater emphasis.
Col Dave Luhrs, Director Personnel Capability-Army, said: “Army’s proposal is heavily focused on recognition for command roles. CA is keen for every officer to aspire to command, and wants the Army GOPS to reward member aspirations and the challenges faced by those in command appointments.”
The DFRT conducted a focus group with Army officer representatives at 1 Bde in Darwin on June 7 to hear officers’ views on the Army proposal. The discussion was open and productive and will no doubt be taken into account by the DFRT when it makes a decision on the overall ADF proposal.
For remuneration reform updates, including detail on the ADF GOPS proposal, go to http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/ |
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