Electorate staff allowance (ESA)
Ongoing and non-ongoing electorate officers are eligible to receive electorate staff allowance (ESA) in recognition of, and as compensation for, working reasonable additional hours beyond their ordinary hours of work. ESA is paid at the full rate for part-time employees and is not prorated. ESA is allocated by the employing parliamentarian to individual electorate officers in their office. An electorate officer may receive up to 16 levels of ESA, and may be eligible to receive up to 18 levels of ESA depending on the size of their employing parliamentarian’s electorate and whether they are receiving nominated traveller allowance.
The allocation of ESA must be in accordance with the Enterprise Agreement and the guideline on Additional Hours (see related resources). To allocate ESA, opt out of receiving ESA or vary the level of ESA, complete the ESA allocation form (see related resources) and email to MOPSPayConditions@finance.gov.au.
Nominated traveller allowance (NTA)
An ongoing or non-ongoing electorate officer who is the nominated traveller within an office is eligible to receive nominated traveller allowance (NTA). The value of NTA is equivalent to 12 levels of ESA, is paid at the full rate for part-time employees, and is not prorated. NTA is only payable for the duration that an employee is the nominated traveller within an office, and payment of NTA cannot be backdated to before the time that MaPS was notified that an employee was made the nominated traveller. There can only be one nominated traveller per office.
A nominated traveller can choose not to receive NTA, and in exchange would be eligible for time off in lieu (TOIL) in recognition for any additional hours worked or spent travelling above their ordinary hours of work. To opt out of receiving NTA in order to be eligible for TOIL, you can do so by notifying MaPS by emailing MOPSPayConditions@finance.gov.au.
Personal staff allowance (PSA)
Ongoing and non-ongoing personal employees are paid personal staff allowance (PSA) in recognition of, and as compensation for, working reasonable additional hours beyond their ordinary hours of work. PSA is calculated on a pro rata basis for part-time employees. An employee can choose to opt out of receiving PSA if they are unable or do not expect to undertake additional hours of work outside of their ordinary hours. Where an employee has opted out of receiving PSA, they are eligible to claim Time off in lieu (TOIL) in recognition for any additional hours they have worked above their ordinary hours of work.
To opt out of receiving PSA, you can do so by notifying MaPS by emailing MOPSPayConditions@finance.gov.au.
Allowance for drivers employed by former Prime Ministers
Ongoing and non-ongoing employees who are drivers employed by former Prime Ministers receive an allowance for additional hours of work, over and above the ordinary hours of duty as specified within clause 37 of the Enterprise Agreement. This allowance is calculated on a pro rata basis for part-time employees. Where an employee has opted out of receiving the allowance, they are eligible to claim Time off in lieu (TOIL) in recognition for any additional hours they have worked above their ordinary hours of work.
Corporate responsibility allowance (CRA)
Work Health & Safety Site Officers, First Aid Officers, Emergency Officers and Staff Assistance Officers are entitled to a corporate responsibility allowance (CRA) for their duties within the role.
To enquire about CRA, contact the PWSS by email at whs@pwss.gov.au or by phone on 1800 747 977.
Community language allowance (CLA)
Eligible ongoing and non-ongoing employees may be paid community language allowance (CLA) where:
- their employing parliamentarian determines that an employee is regularly required to use their ability to communicate in Braille or a language other than English (including First Nations languages and Auslan) in the course of their work, and
- the employee meets the required level of competency prescribed by the PWSS.
To enquire about CLA, contact the PWSS by email at hr@pwss.gov.au or by phone on 1800 747 977.
Travel allowance
MOP(S) Act employees are entitled to claim travelling allowance when they are required to travel on official business and where that travel requires an overnight stay away from their work base. Travel for MOP(S) Act employees is administered by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA).
To enquire about travel allowance, contact IPEA by email at enquiries@ipea.gov.au or by phone on (02) 6215 3000.
Motor vehicle allowance
MOP(S) Act employees will be paid motor vehicle allowance (see related resources) when directed by their employing parliamentarian to travel using their privately owned vehicle on official business.
To enquire about motor vehicle allowance, contact IPEA by email at enquiries@ipea.gov.au or by phone on (02) 6215 3000.
Allowance in lieu of private plated vehicle (PPVA)
Employees with the classification of Senior Adviser may request a private-plated vehicle (PPV) or can elect to receive private-plated vehicle allowance (PPVA) of $25,082 per annum in lieu of a PPV.
Part-time employees working 0.8 of a full-time equivalent work pattern (30 hours and 24 minutes per week, which is equivalent to four 7.6-hour days) or more will receive the full PPVA rate. Employees working less than 30 hours and 24 minutes per week will receive a prorated PPVA rate.