We are excited to share that our new Enterprise Agreement was ratified by the Fair Work Commission January 18, 2023.
If you were employed by the Department on that date you are entitled to the promised backpay. This applies whether you were being paid as rec leave to see out a previous contract, on study leave, personal leave, LWOP or any other form of paid or unpaid leave.
Pay rises and backpay are on track to be processed from pay cycle 17, Thursday February 16. Depending on how long you have worked for DoE, you should expect the following:
Pay 17 (February 16):
First lump sum of backpay (October 2021-October 2022)
Compounded salary increases according to new agreement (3% for 2021 and 3% for 2022)
Pay 18 (March 2):
Second and final lump sum of backpay (October 2022-February 2023)
Given the tax burden that comes with large, lump sum payments, it is to your benefit for backpay to be split across two pay cycles.
What if there is no difference to my pay?
Provided you were employed by the DoE on January 18, you should receive the pay rise and backpay from February 16. Contact payroll in the first instance with your AGS (employee number) and ask about it. If you are not satisfied with the response, please forward your communication to us at [email protected] and we will help you investigate.
Your working conditions are now dictated by the new agreement. Remote staff can now choose to bank FOILs and graduates should be receiving an additional hour of release with some provided for mentors.
Look out for more information and advice around other changes in the new agreement and contact us with any questions.