Flexible pay on the way

Volume 48, No. 19, October 19, 2006

RIGHT DIRECTION: WOFFs and officers, such as 10SQN navigator FLGOFF Cameron Robottom (pictured above), will be happy to hear about the new graded pay structure. Photo by LACW Melina Mancuso

A NEW graded pay structure for officers and WOFFs came into effect on October 5. The new structure has been developed as part of the ADF Remuneration Reform Project (RRP), which is aimed at creating more contemporary and flexible pay structures for ADF members.

“RRP will not change your pay right now,” said CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd. “…but it is the framework approved by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal in February 2006 for future changes to salary. It will help Air Force meet its strategic goals, assist in the implementation of the Air Force Personnel Strategy and enhance attraction and retention by incorporating all elements of work value into superannuable salary.”

Officers and WOFFs who were paid on the common pay scale will now be paid on Pay Group 2 in RRP, which equates to the old officer common scale in dollar terms. Officers and WOFFs in receipt of one of the four qualification and skill allowances (flying, special operations, special action forces and submarine allowances) will have that component rolled into their salary. This will have the effect of placing them on a pay grade which is equivalent to the new Pay Group 2, plus the value of the allowance.

The new graded pay structures will provide the ADF with a more modern and flexible remuneration system that can better recognise the work value of specific officer and WOFF employment categories.

To move any category to a new grade, the ADF must conduct a full work value assessment, analyse the category against existing benchmarks, and submit its case to the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT). The DFRT will assess the case and determine the pay grade for that category.

The ADF has identified air traffic controllers, Navy engineers and ADF aerospace engineers as the first employment categories to be reviewed under the new structure. Other employment categories will be identified for review by the Services on a priority basis.

The air traffic controllers had their pay case heard at the DFRT on September 28 and the case has been adjourned pending a decision. The engineers case will be heard on November 29, with a DFRT inspection of ADF engineering taking place from October 16-18.

Members currently in receipt of retention or completion bonuses will not be affected by RRP. Additionally, where a retention initiative has been in place for some considerable time, it is possible that it could be rolled into the pay structure as a permanent element of the work value delivered by the category concerned.

Senior officers (AIRCDRE and AVM) will also move to a new broad-band pay structure. RRP changes do not apply to the Specialist Officers Salary Structure, which remains unchanged.

If you think there is a problem with your pay, your shopfront, orderly room or administration unit should be able to assist you with most enquiries. You might also like to check out the FAQs on the Pay and Conditions website.

n For more details visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/pac/ or http://defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/ and click on the Remuneration Reform Project link.

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