Better pay deal for Reservists

Reservists will now be taking more money to the bank.

By Graham Howatt
Armed Forces Federation of Australia

Reservists have gained greater recognition regarding the attainment of competencies required to be effectively employed within the ADF and are to be more closely aligned with members of the permanent force regarding pay for work done.

The differences with Reservist employment have also been recognised and are now being financially compensated by a daily allowance, similar to that of Service Allowance, at a discounted daily rate of $10 a day for LCDR and below.

All that remains is for Reservists to have the Government agree to the payment of superannuation.

At the end of a two-day Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) hearing on August 31, the DFRT endorsed the ADF proposal, which took effect on September 1.

This outcome abolishes the discount factor applied to calculate daily rates of pay for Reservists where full competencies are held for work performed.

It also provides a 17 per cent pay increase for all Navy Reservists (excluding trainees).

The provision of a $10 daily rate of Service Allowance for Reservists is also welcomed by the Armed Forces Federation (AFF).

The AFF submitted at the DFRT hearing that the introduction of this allowance needed to be considered as an interim amount and validated by the ADF at the annual review of allowances hearing next year.

The Government has not yet decided whether pay and allowances for Reservists will be tax-free.

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