The Office of Employment Equity and Diversity and the New South Wales Premier's Department established an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cadetship Program for the New South Wales Public Sector. Cadetships are sponsored by the Office of Employment Equity and Diversity (OEED), in partnership with the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).

NSW Public Sector agencies receive program funding assistance to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students interested in combining tertiary study with Public Sector employment.

In September 2003, the initial funding amount per cadet for the academic period was reviewed and a new subsidy amount was approved.

Agencies will receive up to $14,300 program funding per cadet per year (including GST) to provide the cadet with:

• Up to $12,000 for the 40 weeks study allowance each year.
• Up to $1,000 for books, equipment, fees etc per year

The balance, up to $1,300 per year, is for the agency to pay GST. (NB. Agencies on the CCSU Client group are not charged GST.)

As of the beginning of the academic year 2003, during the academic period cadets are now paid a study allowance of $600 per fortnight by the agency (gross before tax). Existing cadets' rates should be adjusted accordingly.

Vacation (Practical Training) Rates
The rates of pay for cadets during their practical training period are outlined in PEO Determination 938 of 2004 and are as follows:

1.1.03 1.7.03
Level 1 (at 18 years of age) $22,025 $23,126
Level 1 (at 19 years of age with HSC) $24,957 $26,205
Level 2 (or minimum at 20 years of age) $26,639 $27,971
Level 3 (or minimum at 21 years of age) $28,710 $30,146
Level 4 $29,494 $30,969
Level 5 $30,742 $32,279
Level 6 $31,300 $32,865
Level 7 $32,076 $33,680
Level 8 $33,262 $34,925
Level 9 $34,467 $36,190
Level 10 $35,741 $37,528

The above rates will be adjusted in accordance with the Crown Employees (Public Sector Salaries January 2002) Award, or any Award made replacing that Award.

The latest guidelines on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cadetship Program can be found on the Office of Employment Equity and Diversity website: www.eeo.nsw.gov.au

C Gellatly
Director-General