The MOP(S) Act Enterprise Agreement 2024-27 commenced operation on 5 November 2024
The Special Minister of State announced the commencement of the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024-27 via Ministerial Circular 2024/03.
The Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024-27 came into effect on 5 November 2024. The enterprise agreement was supported by 83.6% per cent of the valid votes cast (1,387 yes/272 no).
The bargaining process commenced in November 2023 and was conducted in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Government’s Public Sector Workplace Relations Policy 2023 which sets out the arrangements for APS and non-APS bargaining.
Over 200 claims were considered by bargaining representatives during 17 bargaining meetings.
A summary of the enhancements to the MOPS EA is below:
Pay rises including:
- a one-off payment if a “yes” vote is successful
- a pay rise of 11.2% to base salaries and allowances
Enhanced arrangements for electorate office staff including:
- a new electorate employee “Nominated Traveller Allowance” (guaranteed a minimum of 12 ESA points)
- an additional 16 ESA points for each office.
- an increase of an individual’s ‘cap’ of ESA (from 16 to 18 points) for certain employees in rural and remote offices
- a new Community Language Allowance to recognise the work supporting constituents in electorate offices
Improved travel entitlements including:
- a new same-day travel allowance
- automatic processing of Excess (Canberra) Travel Leave - so you no longer need to apply
Increased leave entitlements:
- 3 extra days of personal leave per year
- 18 weeks of parental leave
- new cultural, ceremonial and NAIDOC leave
Other enhancements include:
- increased studies assistance by 50%
- enhanced career transitioned payments – increased from $500 to $1000 with part-time employees now entitled to the full amount (rather than a pro-rata amount)
- the introduction of in house 'fee-free' salary sacrifice arrangements for superannuation purposes.
Bargaining representatives
| Name | Office / State | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Ms Lilli Balaam | Senator the Hon Anne Ruston / SA | lilli.balaam@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Jake Durrington | Senator Paul Scarr / QLD | jake.durrington@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Francis Filler | the Hon Kevin Hogan MP / NSW | frank.filler@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Daniel Frost-Foster | Mr Bert Van Manen MP / QLD | dan.frost-foster@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Kerrod Gream | Senator Matthew Canavan / QLD | kerrod.gream@aph.gov.au |
| Mr John Harris | Senator the Hon Jane Hume / VIC | john.harris@aph.gov.au |
| Ms Sallyann Innes | Mr Peter Dutton MP / QLD | sallyann.innes@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Simon Kelly | Mr Llew O'Brien MP / QLD | simon.j.kelly@aph.gov.au |
| Ms Jacqueline Martin | Senator Wendy Askew / TAS | jacqueline.martin@aph.gov.au |
| Ms Mary Von Marburg | Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash / WA | mary.vonmarburg@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Lachlan McIntyre | the Hon Sussan Ley MP / NSW | lachlan.mcintyre@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Sam Te Rure | Mr Terry Young MP / QLD | sam.terure@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Dean Shachar | the Hon Sussan Ley MP / NSW | dean.shachar@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Garth Morrison | Senator Jacqui Lambie | garth.morrison@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Steven May | Senator the Hon Penny Wong (ASU – SA & NT) / SA | steven.may@aph.gov.au |
Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU)
| Name | Union | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Ms Emma Groube | CPSU | emma.groube@cpsu.org.au |
| Ms Elizabeth Bateson | the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC, MP / VIC | liz.bateson@ag.gov.au |
| Mx Dee Gustafsson | Senator Barbara Pocock / SA | dee.gustafsson@aph.gov.au |
| Ms Kim Hall | Ms Sharon Claydon MP / NSW | kim.hall@aph.gov.au |
| Ms Amy Knox | Ms Joanne Ryan MP / ACT | amy.knox@aph.gov.au |
United Services Union (USU)
| Name | Union | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Joshua Polak | USU | jpolak@usu.org.au |
| Mr Brydan Toner | Ms Joanne Ryan MP / ACT | brydan.toner@aph.gov.au |
| Mr Bryce Wilson | Mr David Smith MP / ACT | bryce.wilson@aph.gov.au |
EA bargaining meeting schedule
A record of the negotiation meetings outlined in the schedule below can be found under Related resources.
| Meeting No. | Date |
|---|---|
| Meeting 1 | 19 December 2023 |
| Meeting 2 | 20 February 2024 |
| Meeting 3 | 5 March 2024 |
| Meeting 4 | 3 April 2024 |
| Meeting 5 | 5 April 2024 |
| Meeting 6 | 30 April 2024 |
| Meeting 7 | 1 May 2024 |
| Meeting 8 | 3 May 2024 |
| Meeting 9 | 24 May 2024 |
| Meeting 10 | 5 June 2024 |
| Meeting 11 | 12 June 2024 |
| Meeting 12 | 13 June 2024 |
| Meeting 13 | 14 June 2024 |
| Meeting 14 | 21 June 2024 |
| Meeting 15 | 28 June 2024 |
| Meeting 16 | 5 July 2024 |
| Meeting 17 | 19 July 2024 |
Bargaining circulars
- Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement – Commencement of Bargaining - Ministerial Circular 2023/06, 27 November 2023
- Notice of employee representational rights - All Staff News, 28 November 2023
- Ballot for new MOP(S) Act Enterprise Agreement - Ministerial Circular 2024/01, 2 August 2024
- Ballot Result - MOP(S) Act Enterprise Agreement - Ministerial Circular 2024/02, 21 August 2024
- Commencement of the new MOP(S) Act Enterprise Agreement - Ministerial Circular 2024/03, 29 October 2024
A copy of the Enterprise Agreement, supporting guidelines and fact sheets can be found at Enterprise agreement 2024-27.
Frequently asked questions
What is an enterprise agreement (EA)?
- An EA is a legally binding document that sets out the terms and conditions of employment that apply to the employees of a particular employer. The terms and conditions are negotiated by an employer and nominated bargaining representatives including relevant unions.
Why do we need a new EA?
- The current EA nominally expires on 5 August 2024. If a new agreement is not established before the expiration date, then the current EA will remain in place.
What happens if the timeframe for a new EA is not met?
- The current EA will continue to operate until the new agreement is in place. The 2020-2023 enterprise agreement offers salary increases at 12-month and 24-month intervals. This means there is no salary increase after 5 August 2023. However, there is still an increment left at 1 July 2024 as this is before the provisional end date of the EA.
- Notably, clause 36 of the Salary setting and progression provides that:
An employing Member may advance the salary of an ongoing or non-ongoing employee at any time, subject to any arrangements that the Prime Minister may have put in place from time to time in relation to such salary advancements
How long will the process take?
- This will depend on how long each stage takes, specifically the negotiations and approval process. The department is committed to achieving an efficient process.
Can conditions be traded for higher remuneration?
- No. Conditions may not be traded off in exchange for a higher salary increase. The Workplace Bargaining Policy allows agencies to trade-off conditions or entitlements of similar value as long as conditions are not enhanced overall, and the trade-off is cost neutral.
What if I’m overseas at the time of the vote?
- All reasonable steps will be taken, to ensure that employees who are planning to be absent at the time of the vote, will have the means to lodge their vote. It would be expected that an employee who knows they will be overseas at the time of the vote will advise MaPS EA bargaining team to consider alternative arrangements that are reasonably practicable.
Key contacts
If you have any further queries, please email eacomment@finance.gov.au or call the MaPS help desk on 6215 3333.