Make more money
The first in a series of four articles about salary packaging explains what it’s all about.

By Maria Cavallo, SmartSalary

Salary packaging is available to all permanent ADF personnel.

Photo by PTE Shannon Joyce

IN RECENT times, ADO members have shown increasing interest in salary packaging. The ADO introduced salary packaging in 1999, and today about 5500 members have taken up this option.

More than 100 new members sign up for the service every month. By packaging your salary you can potentially increase your effective take-home pay by up to a few thousand dollars.

It involves converting cash salary, which is taxable, into approved benefits that are either tax free or taxed at concession rates.

The most commonly packaged benefits at the ADO are vehicles (through a novated lease), additional superannuation, ADO-provided childcare and laptop computers.

The ADO offers this initiative to all permanent staff because it provides attractive options that may benefit everyone, not just those on higher incomes.

Since salary packaging is an administratively complex process, the ADO has retained the services of SmartSalary to administer the scheme.

Salary packaging is optional, not a mandatory scheme, and though it may provide you with some attractive remuneration options, your personal circumstances will determine how it affects you individually.

Should you require further assistance, SmartSalary can direct you to independent financial advisors.

To find out more, ring SmartSalary on 1800 632 496 or access the SmartSalary web site www.smartsalary.com.au and enter the employer code ADO.

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