The purpose of this Circular is to:

1. advise of changes to the monetary amounts specified in the Crown Employees (Transferred Officers Compensation) Award and the Excess Rent Assistance Agreement. The new monetary amounts are at Annexure A and are effechive from 1 July 1997; and

2. provide a checklist of issues that organizations should consider when assessing the impact of relocations on employees. The checklist is at Annexure B.

The above action is taken as an interim step in response to representations from unions for improvements in the assistance available to employees who are required to relocate and may incur a financial loss in the current market. This issue will be further addressed by the parties in the context of the review of the above industrial instruments.

Your assistance in providing information on how the current industrial instruments may be improved to assist employees would be appreciated.This informahion should be provided to Lana Pensky who may be contacted on telephone number (02) 9228 3565.

C. Gellatly
Director-General

Appendix A

Increase to Monetary specified in the Crown Employees (TransferredOfficers Compensation) Award and the Excess Rent Assistance Agreement. Theincreases are effective from 1 July 1997.

1. Award

Clause 4 (ii) - Cost of temporary accommodation - officer maintaining dependent relatives in the home

(i) Amounts

Each dependent
Officers child 6 years and
Salary and spouse over
$ per annum $ per week $ per week

Old New Old New Old New

up to $22805 up to $25085 $176 $194 $22 $24

$22806 to $29062 $25085 to $31968 $193 $212 $22 $24

$29063 to $37364 $31969 to $41100 $212 $233 $22 $24

$37365 to $48041 $41101 to $52845 $262 $288 $22 $24

$48042 and over $52846 and over $333 $366 $22 $24

New maximum refund is $226.00 per week. (currently $205.00 per week).

(ii) Purpose - The purpose of the above allowances is to compensate transferred officers with dependents for additional board and lodging expenses incurred as a result of a transfer at departmental convenience while searching for permanent accommodation.

Clause 4 (iii) - Cost of temporary accommodation - Officer not maintaining dependent relatives

(i) Amount 50% of the cost of board and lodging to a maximum of $226.00 per week (currently $205.00 per week).

(ii) Purpose - The purpose is to compensate a transferred officer without dependents for additional board and lodging expenses as a result of a transfer at departmental convenience while searching for permanent accommodation.

Clause 6(iii) - Insurance on furniture

(i) Amount - Cost of insurance of furniture and effects to a maximum value of $33,000 (currently S30,000).

(ii) Purpose - To refund to the transferred officer the cost of reasonable insurance on furniture and effects while in storage and/or transit.

Clause 9 - Compensation for depreciation and disturbance

(i) Amount - $1,000 (currently $909) is paid where the Department Head is satisfied that the officer has removed a substantial portion of what constitutes normal household furniture, furnishings and fittings of not less value than $6,252 (currently $5,584) with a pro-rata amount being payable where the value is less.

(ii) Purpose - To compensate the transferred officer for any damage to or deterioration of the goods being removed

Clause 10 (i) - Board and lodging for children educated in the former location

(i) Amount - An allowance to the maximum of $50 (currently $45) per week for each child equivalent to the amount by which the cost of board and lodging exceeds $24 (currently $22) per week.

(ii) Purpose - To assist with the board and lodging costs of Year 12 children who cannot accompany family to new headquarters due to educational requirements.

Clause 11 (ii) (e) - Conveyancing and other costs

(i) Amount - Reimbursement of costs shall be limited to the amounts which would be payable if the sale and purchase prices of the properties involved had been $220,000 (currently $200,000) in each case.

(ii) Purpose - To provide an expenses limit according to the average price of housing in Sydney.

Clause 12 (iii) (2) - Refund of stamp duty

(I) Amount - Refund of stamp duty shall be limited to the amounts which would be payable if the sale and purchase prices of the properties involved had been $220,000 (currently $200,000) in each case.

(ii) Purpose - To provide some exemption for transferred officers from fees payable to the State.

Determination - Laundry Allowance

(i) Amounts:

Offcer only when in temporary accommodation - $4.50 (currently $4.00) per week;

Officer and dependents when in temporary accommodation - actual expenses up to $13.00 (currently $12.00) per week.

(ii) Purpose - To provide further assistance when required to rely on commercial laundry facilities.

2. Agreement

Clause (2) (ii)

(i) Formula

Officer's Officer's substantive Officer's substantive

contribution = salary x salary + 5502

200510

Officer's weekly contribution shall be offcer's contribution as above multiplied by 7 and divided by 365.25.

(ii) Purpose - Provides a standard for calculating the amount a transferred officer's would be expected to pay in rent before qualifying for assistance under the Agreement.

Clause (3) (ii)

(i) Amount:

$75 (currently $68) per week for an officer with 2 or more dependent children
$65 (currently $59) per week for an officer with one dependent child
$56 (currently $51) per week for an officer without dependent children.

(ii) Purpose - Sets limits on rental assistance according to the number of dependent children of a transferred officer.

3. History of adjustment of amounts specified in the Crown Employees (Transferred Officers Compensation) Award and the Crown EmpIoyees (Transferred Officers Excess Rent Assistance) Agreement

With the exception of the formula in clause (2) (ii) of the TOERA Agreement which is required to be adjusted in line with each increases in the salary rates for Clerks, all other amounts in the Award and the Agreement have been adjusted by negotiation between the parties.

Except for the cost of property limit specified in clauses 11 (ii) (e) and 12 (iii) (2), all other amounts have been adjusted in line with the movements in the Consumer Price Index

Appendix B

Relocations Checklist

The purpose of this checklist is to assist organizations assess the impact of relocations on employees. It provides a process to help inform you about the affect of recommendations to relocate on employees.

(1) What is the purpose of the proposed relocation?

(2) Is the proposed relocation consistent with Government's current policies and broad objectives?

(3) Would the employees have to move house as a result of relocation?

(4) What consultative arrangements are in place to assess the potential impact of the relocation on:

a. employees; and

b. service delivery?

(5) What are the potential impacts on employees in regard to real estate, transport, re-establishment and other costs?

(6) What are the social impacts on employees' families, including education, medical facilities, job prospects and other such responsibilities?

(7) Would the potential relocation have a disproportionately higher impact on:

a. female employees;

b. employees with disabilities;

c. employees caring for elderly or sick relatives; and

d. any others with special needs or responsibilities?

(8) What is the likely impact of losing key employees as a result of proposed relocation?

(9) What is the likely impact of the proposed relocation on employees' prospects for career and personal development?

(10) Will employees have access to support facilities and services at the proposed relocation area?

(11) Has sufficient information been collected to satisfactorily assess the impact of proposed relocation, including the state of the property market?

(12) Has this information been satisfactorily analysed?

(13) Have there been any areas identified in the consultation process that require further attention?

(14) What assistance is available to employees who transfer to the new location?

(15) What is the overall cost/benefit of the relocation?