New pay guide is launched

Head DPE RADM Brian Adams launches the updated Member's Guide to ADF Pay and Conditions of Service handbook, with assistance from PTE Chelsea Yarrie, DOCM, POWTR Stuart O'Brien, DSCM, and FLTLT Jenny Shepherd, DPO. The electronic version of the guide will be updated monthly. RADM Adams said the guide was found to be the best method of communicating changes to pay and conditions.

By Susan Oldroyd
Head, Defence Perso nnel Executive, RADM Brian Adams recently launched the Member’s Guide to ADF Pay and Conditions of Service 2003-2004.

On June 2, RADM Adams presented the 2003 - 2004 edition of the Member’s Guide to representatives from each of the Services at Campbell Park Offices in Canberra.

The 2003-2004 edition includes new information on how to apply for your entitlements, the Defence Assisted Study Scheme, Defence choice housing, leaving the ADF and superannuation.

During the launch, RADM Adams said that he supported the Member’s Guide.
“Everybody needs to know what their pay and conditions are and we have problems communicating this information — this initiative has proven to be successful.” he said.

The positive feedback on the first edition has emphasised the importance of such a resource, and the requirement to keep the information up to date and accessible has resulted in the publication of the 2003-2004 edition.

The electronic version of the Member’s Guide will be updated on the DEFWEB and the Internet at the beginning of each month.

About 3,500 feedback forms were received on the first edition of the Member’s Guide, launched in March 2002. These have enabled this edition to better reflect the information needs of ADF members with 90 per cent of respondents rating the Member’s Guide as very good or excellent and 85 per cent saying the handbook was easy to understand.

PO Stuart O’Brien, DSCM, who received his copy of the Member’s Guide to ADF Pay and Conditions of Service 2003-2004 from RADM Adams at the launch, said that as a personnel officer he would probably use the Guide everyday.

“This book is probably one of the best things they’ve brought out.

“A quick reference tool that gives you information very easily.

“It is a very worthwhile document.” he said.

The Member’s Guide will be available to ADF members shortly through shopfronts, orderly rooms, administration units, Defence Community Organisation regional offices, the Defence Service Centre on 1800 000 677, the Family Information Network for Defence (FIND) on 1800 020 031, and electronically via the Defweb at: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dpepay and also on the Internet at: www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dpedet

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