News Review: New ADF aircrew and ATC pay structure | ADM Oct 2009

1 October 2009

The independent Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal has approved a new remuneration structure for ADF officer aircrew and air traffic control officers, Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science has announced.

"Remuneration outcomes are an important component of the total employment package provided for the men and women of the ADF who have chosen to serve their country," he said.

"The new Officer Aviation Remuneration Structure (OARS) introduces a flexible remuneration system that ensures this specialist military workforce of over 2,000 members receives comparable pay for comparable work against the aviation industry benchmark."

Combet said that the major capability growth within Defence is in the acquisition of new aircraft for the Navy, Army and Air Force.

Successful introduction into service of these systems will result in unprecedented air power capability for the ADF.

"Critical to the success of these acquisition programs is a dedicated and experienced workforce that can not only continue to deliver capability, but also manage and contribute to complex transition programs involving state-of-the art technologies.

"The Government recognises the need for highly-skilled and experienced aircrew and air traffic control officers to ensure the successful introduction of these new capabilities," he said.

"The new structure remunerates these aviation specialists appropriately and offers career and other incentives to encourage them to continue serving in the ADF."

The OARS is the final element of a major overhaul of the total ADF remuneration system that started in 2002, Combet added.

"The ADF now has a contemporary remuneration base on which to grow the ADF and help meet military capability needs."