Tribunal boosts Service Allowance
Instead of announcing a percentage increase, the tribunal specified a dollar amount

By SGT Jonathan Garland

Service Allowance has received a boost of nearly 20 per cent, with the new annual figure rising to $8781 from July 3.

The new figure is a combination of the Defence Remuneration Tribunal’s (DFRT) review and the new Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA).

Director General Personnel Policy and Employment Conditions Sue Parr said it was a good result that recognised the unique demands that are part of the ADF.

“These are things like the liability of long working hours, short notice postings and living and working in uncomfortable conditions,” she said.

“My staff and the staff from the three services who have spent months preparing this case are very pleased with the outcome. Indeed, I think all members of the ADF can be.”

The ADF had sought a 20 percent increase to the allowance when the case was presented to the DFRT in April. The DFRT called for further submissions and then retired on May 28 to consider the matter. It announced its determination in Canberra on July 3.

Instead of announcing a percentage increase, the DFRT specified a dollar amount of $8525 for the allowance, an increase of about 16.4 per cent. However, when taken in conjunction with the WRA increase the net effect is a percentage increase of about 19.9 per cent, or a rise of $1460 from the previous amount of $7321.

The DFRT ruled that this increase would not affect officers of CMDR and CAPT rank equivalents, noting that the Remuneration Reform Project would address the salaries of those members in due course.

The DFRT said Service Allowance compensated for the special demands of service life. Significant changes that impacted on service life in general should be encompassed by the allowance. These include changes flowing from shifts in strategic policy, force structure and the disposition of forces.

“We consider the changes established by the evidence to be significant and that they justify an increase in service allowance,” the Tribunal said.

“The changes have resulted from a range of factors including the reduction of overall numbers of ADF personnel, civilianisation of non-combat functions, a significant increase in operational deployments, an increased range of tasks and the emphasis on readiness, mobility and deployability.”

.