Volume
48, No. 3, March 9, 2006
A
NEW pay structure is proposed later this year for officers and
WO1s.
The graded pay structure is being developed by the Remuneration
Reform Project (RRP) and aims to bring officer and WOFF remuneration
into a more contemporary structure, by recognising the work value
of different employment groups, according to Head DPE MAJGEN Mark
Evans.
“The ADF has reached a point where we can’t bring officer
and WOFF remuneration up to date without changing the way we pay
and reward our personnel,” MAJGEN Evans said.
“The ADF’s proposed graded pay structure will create
a sound foundation for modernising the way the ADF recognises
differences in work value and, over time, deliver differential
pay.
“Currently we pay all officers and WOFFs the same core pay,
and then use allowances to help adjust for differential work values
among officers of the same rank. What RRP and a graded pay structure
will do is recognise differential work value and factor it in
core pay.
“When I say work value, I’m talking about the attributes
a person needs to perform in their category or employment group.
This includes expertise, problem solving, and accountability.”
The proposed graded pay structure will have a number of pay groups
at each rank, like the current structure for other ranks. Initially,
each officer and WOFF will be placed into a new pay group that
pays the same as their current salary.
“Officers and WOFFs will transition to the new structure
at their current rates of pay,” MAJGEN Evans said.
“For those who receive qualification and skill allowances,
they will be placed in new pay groups that reflect the allowances
rolled in with current salary. This is being done as it is more
appropriate for the ADF to recognise
differential work value in core pay.”
The four qualification and skill allowances to be rolled in are
flying, special operations, special action forces and submarine
allowances.
The graded pay structure will move the ADF from the present situation
where work value is partly recognised by allowances to one where
all major work value will be embedded in core pay.
The Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal is currently considering
the ADF’s graded pay proposal. Its decision is expected this
month and details will be announced when available.
