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New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission
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Crown Employees (Fire & Rescue NSW Tradespersons) Award 2024
  
Date06/29/2026
Volume399
Part5
Page No.1001
DescriptionAIRC - Award of Industrial Relations Commission
Publication No.C10127
CategoryAward
Award Code 315  
Date Posted06/29/2026

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(315)

SERIAL C10127

 

Crown Employees (Fire & Rescue NSW Tradespersons) Award 2024

 

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES

 

Application by the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (NSW)

 

(Case No.342301 of 2024)

 

Before J. McDonald, Commissioner

22 May 2026

 

 

AWARD

 

Arrangement

 

PART A

 

Clause No.         Subject Matter

 

1.         Definitions

2.         Hours

3.         Rostered Days Off

3a.       Nine Day (9) Fortnight

4.         Payment of Wages

5.         Rates of Pay

6.         Parties Bound

7.         Relationship to Acts/Awards for Apprenticeships

8.         Union Subscriptions

9.         Fleet Tradespersons Multi-skilling

10.       Fire Vehicle Repairer and Rescue Equipment Technician Classification Structure & Labour Flexibility

11.       Additional Wage Rates

12.       Special Rates

13.       Team Leader Allowance and Higher Duties

14.       Higher Grade Pay

15.       Authorised Heavy Vehicle Allowance

16.       On Call Allowance

17.       Tool Allowance

18.       Apprentice Tool Loan

19.       Fire Equipment Allowance

20.       Test and Tag Allowance

21.       Apprentice to Tradesperson

22.       Overtime and Penalty Rates

23.       Meal Allowance

24.       Travelling Time and Fares

25.       Travelling Expenses

26.       Annual Leave

27.       Annual Leave Loading

28.       Holidays

29.       Extended Leave

30.       Sick Leave

31.       Bereavement Leave

32.       Clothing

33.       Insurance of Tools

34.       Procedure on Charge

35.       Anti-Discrimination

35a.    Work, Health, Safety and Environment

35b.    Uniforms and Personal Protective Equipment

36.       Term of Employment

37.       Grievance and Dispute Resolution Procedures

37a.    Consultation

38.       Personal/Carer’s Leave

39.       Parental Leave

40.       Family and Community Service Leave

40a.    Domestic and Family Violence Leave

41.       Union Rights

42.       Contractors and Supplementary Labour, Outsourcing

43.       Salary Packaging Arrangements

44.       Calculations

45        Area, Incidence and Duration

 

PART B

 

MONETARY RATES

Table 1 - Wages

Table 2 - Other Rates and Allowances - from the Crown Employees (New South Wales Fire Brigade - Maintenance, Construction and Miscellaneous new Award

Table 3 Allowances - from NSW Fire Brigades Maintenance and Miscellaneous Staff Enterprise Agreement 2008

 

PART A

 

1.  Definitions

 

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) holding office as such under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013, or their delegate.

 

 "Industrial Relations Secretary" means the employer for industrial purposes pursuant to the Government Sector Employment Act 2013.

 

"Discharge" means termination of service with FRNSW as a consequence of retrenchment, reorganisation or shortage of work or other reason for which FRNSW may not be entirely responsible.

 

"Dismissed" means termination of service with FRNSW for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct.

 

"Employee" means all persons who are permanently or temporarily employed under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 and who, as at the operative date of this Award, occupy one of the positions covered by this Award, or who, after that date, are appointed to or employed in one of such positions.

 

"Fire Vehicle Repairer (FVR)” means an employee engaged in the inspection, servicing, maintenance, repair and testing of FRNSW fire appliances and associated equipment who holds a relevant trade qualification. FVR is an amalgamation of the following classifications: Automotive Electrical; Motor Mechanic; Painter (Vehicle); Fitter and Body Maker. Each of the individual classifications receive an appropriate tool allowance in addition to the wage for a Fire Vehicle Repairer.

 

"FRNSW" means Fire and Rescue NSW.

 

"Headquarters" means any office, workshop, store, depot, or other place of employment at which an Employee is regularly required to work or from which the Employee's work is directly controlled and to which the Employee has been attached.

 

"Rescue Equipment Technician (RET)" means an employee employed in the Rescue Workshop that is engaged in the inspection, servicing, maintenance, repair and testing of FRNSW rescue tools including shears, spreaders, power saws etc. RETs must hold and maintain the relevant qualifications required by FRNSW.

 

"Resignation" means voluntarily leaving the service of FRNSW.

 

"Skilled Trades Award" means the Crown Employees (Skilled Trades) Award.

 

"Union" means the:

 

Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union, New South Wales Branch;

 

Electrical Trades Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch;

 

New South Wales Fire Brigade Employees Union; and

 

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (New South Wales Branch)

 

having regard for their respective coverage.

 

2.  Hours

 

2.1       The ordinary working hours of Employees will not exceed 38 hours per week, to be worked not exceeding 8 hours per day, as determined by FRNSW.

 

2.1.1 The ordinary working hours of Fire Vehicle Repairers will not exceed 76 hours per fortnight, to be worked not exceeding 8.5 hours per day, as determined by FRNSW.

 

2.2       The ordinary working hours of cleaners will not exceed 35 hours per week, to be worked in shifts not exceeding 8 hours per day, as determined by FRNSW.

 

2.3       FRNSW may require an Employee to perform duty beyond the hours determined under subclause 2.1 of this clause but only if it is reasonable for the Employee to be required to do so. Conditions and payment for additional hours will be made at the appropriate overtime rate in accordance with clause 22 of this Award.

 

3.  Rostered Days Off

 

3.1       The Rostered Day Off (RDO) provisions of clause 2, Hours-Day Workers, of the Skilled Trades Award, (as defined) shall apply to all Employees covered by this Award, as varied by the provisions of subclauses 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 & 3.6 of this Award.

 

3.2       RDO shall be taken in accordance with the roster. Those Employees who are on call and therefore work on the RDO day as part of the roster will normally take their RDO on the following Monday when they are off call.

 

3.3       RDO are to be taken as and when they fall due unless a special arrangement is agreed to pursuant to sub clause 3.6.3 or;

 

3.3.1    under exceptional circumstances, where the clearing of the RDO day may be delayed, with prior approval.

 

3.4       Appropriate records will be kept by FRNSW of the dates on which each Employee takes an RDO. Such records will be available for perusal by the Employee on request.

 

3.5       Where an Employee is asked and elects to work on the pre-determined RDO, in accordance with subclause 2.1 of clause 2, Hours-Day Workers, of the Skilled Trades Award (as defined), the compensation paid in accordance with subclause 2.5 of the said clause 2 (i.e. Saturday rates), shall be the Employee’s only entitlement for working on the RDO.

 

3.6       Employees may elect, with the consent of FRNSW, to take a rostered day off at any time.

 

3.6.1    An Employee may elect, with the consent of FRNSW, to take rostered days off in part day amounts.

 

3.6.2    An Employee may elect, with the consent of  FRNSW, to accrue some or all rostered days off for the purpose of creating a bank to be drawn upon at a time mutually agreed between FRNSW and Employee, or subject to reasonable notice by the Employee or FRNSW.

 

3.6.3    This subclause is subject to FRNSW informing each Union which is both party to the Award and which has members employed at the particular enterprise of its intention to introduce an enterprise system of RDO flexibility and providing a reasonable opportunity for the Union(s) to participate in negotiations.

 

3a Nine Day (9) Fortnight

 

3a.1     Employees covered by this Award may elect to work a 9-day fortnight.

 

3a.2     Employees covered by this Award who elect not to work a 9-day fortnight, will work pursuant to the arrangements expressed in Clause 3.

 

3a.3     All Employees electing to work a 9-day fortnight shall work 8 hours and 27 minutes per day for nine continuous working days. (This is 8.45 x 9 = 76.05)

 

3a.4     The following conditions will apply for the taking of a 9-day fortnight:

 

3a.4.1 After working 9 days, an Employee may have one day rostered off on either a Monday or Friday.

 

3a.4.2 There is to be no more than 5 Employees on a rostered day off on any day.

 

3a.4.3 Employees will take 2 rostered days off per four-week period.

 

3a.4.4 2 days notice is required for a change to a rostered day off. Less notice period will be considered in reasonable circumstances.

 

3a.4.5 Existing shift and roster swap arrangements continue to apply.

 

3a.5     Employees attached to the Workshop or Field Service Function may elect to work one of the following two options:

 

3a.5.1 Commencing time of 06.30 with a lunch break from 12.00 to 12.33 and a ceasing time of 15.30; or

 

3a.5.2 Commencing time of 07.00 with a lunch break from 12.00 to 12.33 and a ceasing time of 16.00.

 

3a.6     Employees working On-Call and the Lube Service Vehicle shall work the following:

 

3a.6.1 Commencing time of 07.30 with a lunch break of 33 minutes and a ceasing time of 16.30.

 

3a.6.2 On the last day of the allocated shift, the exiting Employee only shall commence work in line with 3a.5.1.

 

3a.7     For the shifts expressed at 3a.5.1; 3a.5.2 and 3a.6.1 the following conditions will apply:

 

3a.7.1 A minimum number of 5 Employees will be required for each commencement and ceasing time on any working day.

 

3a.7.2 A change to a shift can only occur on a fortnight basis and with reasonable notice.

 

3a.7.3 Where shift times are not adhered to within 5 minutes of commencement and cessation, Employees will be deducted leave without pay in equivalent increments for each occasion. 

 

4.  Payment of Wages

 

4.1       All wages shall be paid fortnightly and payment shall be into a bank account specified by the Employee, or other financial institutions acceptable to FRNSW and Unions.

 

4.2       Wages shall be paid not later than Thursday in any pay week.

 

5.  Rates of Pay

 

5.1       Adult Employees - The minimum weekly rate of pay for each classification shall be as expressed in Table 1 - Wages, of Part B, Monetary Rates, and is payable for all purposes of the Award. This amount incorporates the following; Basic Wage, Margins, Special Loadings, Trades Allowance and Industry Allowance.

 

5.2       Juniors - The unapprenticed juniors employed by FRNSW shall be paid the following percentages of the appropriate classifications:

 

Age

Percentage per week

 

(%)

At 17 years of age and under

55

At 18 years of age

67.5

At 19 years of age

80

At 20 years of age

92.5

 

6.  Parties Bound

 

6.1       This Award is binding upon the Industrial Relations Secretary and FRNSW and the following industrial organisations of Employees:

 

Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union, New South Wales Branch;

 

Electrical Trades Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch;

 

New South Wales Fire Brigade Employees Union; and

 

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (New South Wales Branch).

 

7.  Relationship to Acts/Awards for Apprenticeships

 

7.1       In regards to Apprentices, this Award shall also be read and interpreted in conjunction with:

 

7.1.1    the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001, provided that where there is any inconsistency between this Act and this Award, the Act shall prevail to the extent of any inconsistency.

 

7.2       The Skilled Trades Award (as defined), provided that where there is any inconsistency between this Award and the Skilled Trades Award, this Award shall prevail to the extent of any inconsistency.

 

8.  Union Subscriptions

 

8.1       FRNSW agrees, subject to prior written authorisation by an Employee, to deduct Union subscriptions from the pay of the authorising Employee, in accordance with Treasury Guidelines.

 

 

 

9.  Fleet Tradespersons Multi-Skilling

 

9.1       While Apprentice training shall be principally focused on those activities specific to each Apprentice’s trade classification, FRNSW shall, where possible, coordinate and make available work of a similar nature and skill to that contained in the modules studied from time to time by the Apprentice as part of their external Technical and Further Education studies.

 

9.2       The work of a "similar nature and skill" referred to in subclause 9.1, shall where appropriate be made available to Apprentices for the purposes of overtime.

 

9.3       Employees will identify and select spare parts as required from the store during normal work hours and after hours.  When using parts from the store the Employees will record parts usage, utilising the systems provided which may be written or electronic. Where necessary Employees will provide information as required to assist in parts identification and provide the part number itself with reference to manuals - paper and electronic.

 

9.4       Appliance servicing will continue in Station on a State-wide basis.

 

10.  Fire Vehicle Repairer and Rescue Equipment Technician Classification Structure and Labour Flexibility

 

10.1     In recognition of the skills, knowledge and experience brought to the performance of tasks by FVRs and RET’s, the following classification structure applies.

 

Fire Vehicle Repairer

Definition

% of Weekly Wage

Level 1

Holds relevant Trades certificate

100%

Level 2

12 months service at level 1 subject to requirements at 10.2

105%

Level 3

12 months service at level 2 subject to requirements at 10.2

110%

Level 4

12 months service at level 3 subject to requirements at 10.2

115% (up to and including 2 July 2026);

120% (from 3 July 2026)

Rescue Equipment Technician

Definition

% of Weekly Wage

Level 1

Holds relevant qualification

100%

Level 2

12 months service at level 1 subject to requirements at 10.2

105%

Level 3

12 months service at level 2 subject to requirements at 10.2

110%

Level 4

12 months service at level 3 subject to requirements at 10.2

115% (3 July 2024-2 July 2026);

120% (from 3 July 2026)

 

Note: Actual rates are shown in Table 1 in Part B and will be increased with annual movements to wage and wage related allowances. From 3 July 2026, the Level 4 relativity increases from 115% to 120% of the Level 1 rate.

 

Progression

10.2     Where an Employee has completed 12 months service at a level within the FVR or RET classification and the Employee's manager confirms that the Employee's conduct, performance and attendance is satisfactory, the Employee will progress to the next level within the classification.

 

Leading Hand Allowances

10.3     Leading hand allowances, where applicable, will be paid in addition to the increment of the Employee in question. 

 

Disputes

10.4     The Grievance and Dispute Resolution Procedures of this Award should be utilised if any disputes arise concerning implementation of this clause. 

 

11.  Additional Wage Rates

 

11.1     Electricians - An electrician who is the holder of a New South Wales electrician's licence shall be paid the amounts set in Item 1 of Table 2.

 

12.  Special Rates

 

12.1     Confined Spaces - Working in a place the dimensions or nature of which necessitates working in a stooped or cramped position or without sufficient ventilation; the amount set out in Item 1 of Special Rates in Table 3.

 

12.2     Height Pay - Employees, working at a height of 7.5 metres from the ground, deck, floor or water shall be paid the amounts set out in Item 2 of Special Rates in Table 3B.  Height shall be calculated from where it is necessary for the Employee to place their hands or tool in order to carry out the work to such ground, deck, floor or water.  For the purposes of this subclause, deck or floor means a substantial structure which, even though temporary, is sufficient to protect an Employee from falling any further distance. In tidal waters the water level means the mean water level.  This subclause shall not apply to an Employee working on a suitable scaffold erected in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025. An additional amount set in Item 2 of Special Rates in Table 3 shall be paid for every metre beyond that specified in Item 2 of Special Rates in Table 3.

 

12.3     Roof Work - Employees engaged in the fixing or repairing of a roof or any other work in excess of 12 metres from the nearest floor level shall be paid the amount set out in Item 2 of Special Rates in Table 2 per hour extra with a minimum payment also set out in Item 2.

 

12.4     Extra Rates not Cumulative - When more than one of the above rates provide payment for disabilities of substantially the same nature then only the highest of such rates shall be payable.

 

12.5     Rates not Subject to Penalty Provisions - The special rates herein prescribed shall be paid irrespective of the time at which the work is performed and shall not be subject to any premium or penalty additions.

 

13.  Team Leader Allowance and Higher Duties

 

13.1     The Team Leader Allowance as provided for in Table 3 of this Award is in compensation for an Employee being appointed as the supervisor of a section. Additionally, Team Leaders are required to undertake planning and scheduling activities as well as provide monthly section reports to the Operations Manager.

 

13.2     An Employee covered under this Award engaged for more than five consecutive weekdays, on duties carrying a higher rate than the Employee’s ordinary classification or entitling the Employee to a Team Leader allowance, shall be paid the higher rate or allowance, as the case may be.

 

13.3     Where payment of the Team Leader allowance is due because of a temporary vacancy of more than five days, acting up will not be distributed to Employees or paid in increments of less than 5 days per Employee. Provided the Employee actually acts up for 5 or more consecutive days.

 

13.4     When an Employee covered by this Award acts up for less than five consecutive days in a position with a higher rate of ordinary pay than their substantive position, then pursuant to subclauses 13.2 and 13.3 of this Award, payment will not be made, but the time worked in that position will be counted for the purpose of subclause 10.4 of this Award.

 

14.  Higher Grade Pay

 

14.1     An Employee engaged for more than five consecutive weekdays, on duties carrying a higher rate than the Employee's ordinary classification or entitling the Employee to a Team Leader Allowance shall be paid the higher rate or allowance as the case may be.

 

14.2     Employees covered under this Award, who are engaged on duties in a classification appearing in the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2024) Award, or successor, carrying a higher rate than the Employee's ordinary classification, will be paid a higher duties allowance on a day by day basis (regardless of how many days such Employee was acting in the higher graded position). This includes an Employee who is on-call on a Saturday or Sunday, that is, the higher duties allowance is payable whilst on-call on a weekend. Such higher duties allowance is payable at 7 hours per day only.

 

15.  Authorised Heavy Vehicle Allowance

 

15.1     An Authorised Heavy Vehicle Inspectors allowance is paid to Employees covered under this Award who have successfully completed the Transport Roads and Maritime Services training course and therefore have been issued with a Heavy Vehicle Inspectors Number.

 

15.2     The Heavy Vehicle Inspectors allowance is provided for in Table 3 of this Award and is paid on a daily basis. The allowance is paid irrespective of the number of inspections undertaken. There is no allowance payable per each inspection undertaken. This allowance is subject to incremental adjustment linked to percentage increases in adjustments to rates of pay.

 

15.3     As directed by FRNSW, suitably qualified FVRs covered by this Award will be required to obtain and maintain a Heavy Vehicle Inspector Number and undertake inspections as required as part of their normal duties.

 

16.  On Call Allowance

 

16.1     An On Call Allowance is paid to Employees covered under this Award who are working On Call as part of the normal roster or have been directed to work On Call. Minimum payment for emergency recall to duty shall be for 4 hours at appropriate penalty rates.

 

16.2     The On Call allowance provided for in Table 3A of this Award shall apply to all Employees except those provided for in subclause 16.3.

 

16.3     The On Call allowance provided for in Table 3B of this Award shall apply only to FVRs.

 

16.4     The On Call allowance at subclause 16.3 comes into effect from the date this Award was varied in 2018.

 

16.5     The On Call allowances at subclauses 16.3 and 16.4 are subject to incremental adjustment linked to percentage increases in adjustments to rates of pay.

 

17.  Tool Allowance

 

17.1     Employees of any of the following classifications who are required by FRNSW to supply and maintain tools ordinarily required in the performance of their work shall be paid in addition to all other payments to which they are entitled under this Award, a Tool Allowance of the amount per week assigned to the classification as set out in the Tool Allowance Table of Table 3 - Allowances.

 

Classification

 

Bodymaker

Motor Mechanic

Painter (Vehicle)

Panel Beater

Automotive Electrician

Electronic Technician

Instrument Maker

Radio Mechanic

Telephone Mechanic

Fitter

Electronic Tradesperson

Fire Vehicle Repairer

 

Apprentices

 

Motor Mechanic

Automotive Electrician

Fitter

Electronic Technician

 

18.  Apprentice Tool Loan

 

18.1     All new Apprentices to whom clause 5, Tool Allowance, of the Skilled Trades Award (as defined) applies, shall be entitled to apply to FRNSW for a zero interest loan up to the value of $1500.00 for the purpose of equipping themselves, with the pre-requisite tools and equipment for their classification.

 

18.2     On behalf of each new Apprentice, FRNSW will purchase the required tools and equipment from FRNSW’s recommended supplier.

 

18.3     The selection of tools and equipment shall be those identified by FRNSW  or the Team Leader in charge of the Apprentice.

 

18.4     Upon commencement of employment, each Apprentice shall be issued with the pre-requisite tools and equipment for their trade classification. On receipt of the tool issue, title and ownership of the tools shall become the responsibility of the Apprentice.

 

18.5     Repayment of the loan shall be recouped by FRNSW, from the Apprentice’s weekly tool allowance entitlement. The repayment amount shall equate to the maximum value of the weekly tool allowance entitlement as prescribed by this Award and or clause 5 of the Skilled Trades Award (as defined), as varied.

 

18.6     If for any reason, an Apprentice’s employment is terminated prior to full repayment of the loan, the Apprentice shall be liable to repay FRNSW the outstanding balance of the loan owing. In this regard, FRNSW shall be entitled to deduct from the Apprentice’s termination payments the value of any outstanding loan.

 

19.  Fire Equipment Allowance

 

19.1     Employees (with the exception of RETs) with a minimum of 12 months continuous service covered by this Award shall be paid a fire equipment allowance, at the rate applicable to their classification, as set out in Table 3 of this Award, as varied by the provisions of subclause 19.3 and 19.4.

 

19.2    RET’s with a minimum of 12 months continuous service covered by this Award shall be paid a fire equipment allowance for the period 3 July 2024 to 2 July 2026, at the rate applicable to their classification, as set out in Table 3 of this Award, as varied by the provisions of subclause 19.3 and 19.4.

 

19.3     Apprentices covered by this Award shall be entitled to be paid at the Non-Trades Staff rate of the allowance, at the rate applicable to their classification, as set out in Table 3 of this Award after a minimum of 12 months continuous service.

 

19.4     The Fire Equipment Allowance prescribed by this clause is abolished with effect from 3 July 2026 and shall not be payable on or after that date.

 

20.  Test and Tag Allowance

 

20.1     This clause applies to Employees who are qualified and authorised by FRNSW to undertake testing and tagging of electrical equipment.

 

20.2 An Employee who is directed to perform testing and tagging of electrical equipment shall be paid the test and tag allowance prescribed in Table 3 of this Award.

 

21.  Apprentice to Tradesperson

 

21.1     An Apprentice who completes a full four-year apprenticeship with FRNSW and then is appointed as a Tradesperson, will commence payment as a FVR at the thereafter rate of pay.

 

22.  Overtime and Penalty Rates

 

22.1     Subject as otherwise provided in this Award, all time worked in excess of the ordinary weekly hours of work shall be overtime and shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half for the first 2 hours, and double time thereafter.

 

22.2     Each day shall stand alone for the purpose of computation of overtime pursuant to this paragraph.

 

22.3     All time worked on a Saturday shall be at the rate of time and one-half for the first 2 hours and double time thereafter, provided that where in any case of emergency, an Employee called out for work after 12 noon on Saturday shall be paid at the rate of double time.

 

22.4     All time worked on a Sunday shall be at the rate of double time and all time worked on a Public Holiday shall be at the rate of double time and one-half.

 

22.5     For the purpose of computing the hourly rate, the weekly rate shall be divided by the number of ordinary hours per week prescribed for each Employee.

 

22.6     An Employee required to work 2 hours or more overtime immediately after the usual ceasing time shall be allowed a meal break of 20 minutes, which shall be paid for at the appropriate overtime rate.

 

22.7     The meal break shall be taken at the commencement of the overtime period or later by mutual arrangement with the officer for the time being in charge and the Employee.

 

22.8     An Employee working overtime shall be allowed a meal break of 20 minutes to be paid at the appropriate overtime rate, after each 4 hours of overtime actually worked, provided that the Employee is required to work at least a further 1 hour after the said 4 hours actually worked.

 

22.9     An Employee whose ordinary hours do not include Saturday or Sunday or a public holiday shall be allowed meal breaks with pay only in respect of time worked outside what would be the usual hours of duty on an ordinary working day.

 

22.10  Call back - Minimum payment for emergency recall to duty shall be for 4 hours at appropriate penalty rates.

 

22.11  An Employee may be directed by FRNSW to work overtime, provided it is reasonable for the Employee to be required to do so.  An Employee may refuse to work overtime in circumstances where the working of overtime would result in the employee working unreasonable hours. In determining what is unreasonable, the following factors shall be taken into account:

 

22.11.1           the Employee’s prior commitments outside the workplace, particularly the Employee’s family and carer responsibilities, community obligations or study arrangements,

22.11.2           any risk to Employee health and safety,

22.11.3           the urgency of the work required to be performed during overtime, the impact on the operational commitments of FRNSW and the effect on client services,

22.11.4           the notice (if any) given by the FRNSW regarding the working of the overtime, and by the Employee of their intention to refuse overtime, or

22.11.5           any other relevant matter.

 

23.  Meal Allowance

 

23.1     An Employee required to work overtime for 1 1/2 hours or more shall be paid the amount set in Item 1 of Meal Allowance in Table 3 for a meal. After the completion of each 4 hours on continuous overtime shall be paid the amount also set in Item 2 of Meal Allowance in Table 3 for each subsequent meal in addition to their  overtime payment, but such payment need not be made to Employees living in the same locality as their place of work who can reasonably return home for meals.

 

23.2     An Employee whose ordinary hours do not include a Saturday or Sunday or public holiday, shall receive the meal allowance prescribed by this clause when the time is worked outside what would be the usual hours of duty on an ordinary working day.

 

24.  Travelling Time and Fares

 

24.1     An Employee shall be required to proceed to their  headquarters and to return to their  home at ordinary starting and ceasing time at least once on each ordinary working day in the Employee's own time and expense.

 

24.2     An Employee other than an Employee classified as a builder's labourer and who is required to work temporarily or is transferred to work temporarily at a point distant from their headquarters shall be paid travelling time for such period at the rate set out in Item 1 of Travelling Time and Other Fares in  Table 3 for each day to compensate for excess fares and travelling time to and from places or work, provided that the allowance shall not be payable if the Employer provides or offers to provide transport free of charge to the Employee, in which case an allowance also set in Item 2 of Travelling Time and Other Fares in Table 3 per day shall be paid.

 

24.3     An Employee classified as a labourer-builder shall be paid the amount also set in Item 1 of Travelling Time and Other Fares in Table 3 per day as a fare allowance and travelling allowance for travel patterns and costs peculiar to the industry which includes mobility requirements on Employees and the nature of employment on construction work.

 

24.4     Subject to the foregoing provisions, a fare shall be deemed to have been incurred if the Employee has used a bicycle or other means of locomotion or has walked instead of using public conveyance.

 

24.5     Excess travelling time and fares shall not be payable in the case of an Employee permanently transferred or appointed to a new headquarters, in which case the new location shall become headquarters for the purpose of this clause from the date of attachment to the new location.

 

24.6     Where an Employee is sent during working hours from one location to another, FRNSW shall pay all travelling time and fares incurred in addition to the amount it may be liable to pay under this clause.

 

25.  Travelling Expenses

 

25.1 An employee required to travel on authorised FRNSW business away from their usual workplace will be entitled to reimbursement or allowances in accordance with this clause.

 

25.2 FRNSW will reimburse an employee for the actual cost reasonably incurred for authorised travel by aircraft, rail, road, boat or otherwise.

 

25.3    FRNSW will require employees to obtain an authorisation for all official travel prior to incurring any travel expense.

 

25.4    Where available at a particular centre or location, the overnight accommodation to be occupied by employees who travel on official business will be the middle of the range standard, referred to generally as three star or three diamond standard of accommodation. 

 

25.5    FRNSW will elect whether to pay the accommodation directly or whether an employee should pay the accommodation and be compensated in accordance with this clause.  Where practicable, employees will obtain prior approval when making their own arrangements for overnight accommodation.

 

25.6     If meals are provided by FRNSW at the temporary work location, the employee will not be entitled to claim the meal allowance.

 

25.7 Where an employee is required to stay overnight whilst travelling on authorised FRNSW business, the employee will be paid the applicable travelling allowance prescribed in Table 4 of Part B for each day of authorised travel requiring overnight accommodation.

 

25.8 The travelling allowance prescribed in Table 4 of Part B is inclusive of accommodation, meal and incidental expenses. Where accommodation is provided by FRNSW, the travelling allowance will not be payable and the employee will instead be entitled only to the applicable meal and incidental allowances prescribed in Table 4 of Part B.

 

 25.9 Where an employee has been required to undertake multi-day travel, on the final day of travel, being the day on which the employee returns to their usual workplace or residence:

 

(a) no travelling allowance will be payable; and

(b) the employee will be reimbursed for actual meal expenses reasonably incurred during the return journey, upon production of receipts or other evidence satisfactory to FRNSW.

 

25.10 Where an employee undertakes authorised travel which does not require overnight accommodation, the employee will be entitled to the applicable meal allowance prescribed in Table 4 of Part B where:

 

(a) Breakfast when required to commence travel at or before 6.00 a.m. and at least 1 hour before the prescribed starting time;

(b) Lunch when required to travel a total distance on the day of at least 100 kilometres and, as a result, is located at a distance of at least 50 kilometres from the staff member’s normal headquarters at the time of taking the normal lunch break; and

(c) An evening meal when required to travel until or beyond 6.30 p.m

 

25.11 The meal, accommodation and incidental allowances expressed in Part B Table 4 will be adjusted on 1 July each year regardless of the date of issue of the relevant Circular by NSW Premiers Department. The amounts shall be in line with the corresponding allowance amounts published by the Australian Taxation Office for the relevant financial year.

 

 

 

26.  Annual Leave

 

26.1     Every Employee shall be entitled to 4 weeks leave of absence, exclusive of public holidays, on the completion of each 12 months service, such leave shall be taken within 6 months after it becomes due, and reasonable notice be given by either party when leave is to commence.  This clause governs the time in which past Annual Leave accrual should be taken with the exception provided for in subclause 26.6.  In other words, an Employee should work towards taking their Annual Leave from the year before in the first 6 months of the following year, however if there are reasons to the satisfaction of the Employee and management of why this cannot be accomplished, then subclause 26.6 provides for flexibility.

 

26.2     Where an Employee with one or more months' service but less than 12 months' service is discharged, dismissed, resigns, retires or dies, the Employee or their legal personal representative shall be paid for each completed week of service an amount equal to one-twelfth of the Employee's ordinary weekly rate payable at the date of the termination of service.

 

26.3     After the first completed year of service annual leave shall accrue at the rate of one and two-third days for each completed month of service.

 

26.4     The Annual Leave provisions of clause 31, General Leave Conditions and Accident Pay, of the Skilled Trades Award (as defined), shall apply, as varied by the provision of subclauses 26.5 and 26.6 to all Employees covered by this Award.

 

26.5     Annual Leave shall be subject to pre-approval at least 5 weekdays prior and if approved may be taken in consecutive or single days.

 

26.6     The parties agree to jointly work towards reducing each Employee’s accrual of Annual Leave to the accumulation of 20 days plus the current year’s entitlement. The only exceptions being, in the case of family emergencies, or with prior notification of a planned extended holiday. 

 

27.  Annual Leave Loading

 

27.1     Employees shall be granted an annual leave loading equivalent to 17 1/2 per cent of 4 weeks' ordinary salary or wages.

 

27.2     The full entitlement to the loading on annual leave that the Employee has accrued over the previous leave year is to be paid to the Employee on the first occasion sufficient annual leave is taken to permit an absence from duty of at least 2 consecutive weeks after 1 December in any year.

 

27.3     The loading will apply only to leave accrued in the year ending the preceding 30 November, up to a maximum of 4 weeks.  Leave and salary records are then to be endorsed to indicate that payment of the annual leave loading for the year ended 30 November previous has been made.

 

27.4     In the event of no such absence occurring by 30 November of the following year, the Employee being still employed, is to be paid the monetary value of the annual leave loading payable on leave accrued as at 30 November to the previous leave year notwithstanding that the Employee has not entered on leave.  The leave and salary records are to be endorsed to indicate that payment of the annual leave loading for the previous leave year has been made.

 

27.5     There shall be a leave year ending 30 November in every year.  The above scheme will first apply to leave taken on or after 1 December 1974, being leave accrued during the 12-month period to 30 November 1974.

 

27.6     The annual leave loading is not payable when an Employee is granted annual leave to the Employee's credit, or the monetary value thereof, on resignation, retirement, termination of employment, dismissal, etc.

 

27.7     Broken service during a year does not attract the annual leave loading, e.g., if an Employee resigns and is subsequently re-employed during the same year, only the service from the date of re-employment attracts the annual leave loading, subject to the foregoing conditions.

 

27.8     Rate of Payment – The annual leave loading is to be calculated on the salary or wage rate paid for the leave when taken, i.e., new rates granted by Award, agreement, determination, national wage case decision, increment, etc., during the period of leave are to be taken into account unless otherwise prescribed by Award or agreement and, if necessary, retrospective adjustment of the loading is to be made.  Where payment is made as at 30 November, because no period of 2 weeks leave has been taken during the year, the payment is to be calculated at the rate which would have been paid had the leave been taken at 30 November.

 

27.9     Provided adequate notice is given, the annual leave loading will be paid prior to entry on leave, normally at the same time as the advance on salary or wages.

 

27.10  In the case of an Employee sent on annual leave pending an inquiry into the Employee’s services, the annual leave loading is not to be paid.

 

27.11  Retrospective payments will be made to Employees who have qualified to receive payment of the annual leave loading since 1 December 1974.

 

28.  Holidays

 

28.1     Subject to subclause 28.2 of this clause, the days on which New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Queen's Birthday, Bank Holiday (in lieu of picnic days), Labour Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and/or specially proclaimed holidays in any year are observed shall be holidays. An Employee shall be entitled to these holidays without loss of pay.

 

28.2     An Employee who is absent from duty without reasonable cause on the working day prior to and/or the working day following any holiday shall not be entitled to payment for such holiday.

 

29.  Extended Leave

 

29.1     Extended Leave, calculated from the date of appointment to the service, shall accrue in accordance with the following entitlement:

 

29.1.1 After service for 10 years, leave for 2 months on full pay or 4 months on half pay.

 

29.1.2 After service in excess of 10 years:

 

29.1.2.1          leave pursuant to paragraph 29.1.1, of this subclause; and

29.1.2.2          in addition, an amount of leave proportionate to the length of service after 10 years.

 

29.1.3 Extended Leave shall not include annual leave but shall include public holidays occurring during the period when such leave is taken.

 

29.2     Where the service of an Employee with at least 5 years' service and less than 7 years' service is terminated by FRNSW for any reasons or by the Employee on account of illness, incapacity or domestic or other pressing necessity, the Employee shall be entitled after 5 years' service to one month's leave on full pay and for service after 5 years', to a proportionate amount of leave on full pay calculated on the basis of 3 months leave for 15 years' service.

 

29.3     In the event of the death of an Employee the value of Extended Leave due shall be paid to such dependants as FRNSW shall determine.

 

29.3.1 In the event of the termination of the employment of an Employee for any reason other than death, the money value of Extended Leave due to the Employee shall be paid to such Employee as a gratuity.

 

29.3.2 Extended leave as provided by this clause, shall, subject to the exigencies of the service, be granted by the FRNSW as and when such leave becomes due (i.e. after 7 years) or at any time thereafter; provided that notice in writing of intention to take such leave shall be given to the FRNSW by the Employee concerned at least 30 days before the date on which the Employee desires that such leave should commence.

 

29.4     Notwithstanding anything elsewhere provided by this clause:

 

29.4.1 Employees may apply to take pro-rata Extended leave after the completion of 7 years of service. Additionally, Employees with such service shall be entitled to pro-rata Extended Leave on resignation or termination.

 

29.4.2 Employees may apply to take a period of Extended leave at double pay provided that:

 

29.4.2.1          The additional payment will be made as a non-superable taxable allowance payable for the period of the absence from work.

 

29.4.2.2          The Employees’ leave balance will be debited for the actual period of the absence from work and an equivalent number of days as are necessary to pay the allowance.

 

29.4.2.3          Other leave entitlements, e.g. recreation leave, sick leave and Extended leave will accrue at the single time rate where an Employee takes Extended leave at double time.

 

29.4.2.4          Superannuation contributions will only be made on the basis of the actual absence from work, i.e. at that single time rate.

 

29.4.3 Where a public holiday falls during a period of Extended leave the Employee shall be paid for that day and additionally it shall not be deducted from the period of leave.

 

29.4.4 In respect of public holidays that fall during a period of double pay Extended Leave an Employee will not be debited in respect of the leave on a public holiday. The Employees leave balance will however be reduced by an additional day to fund the non-superable taxable allowance.

 

30.  Sick Leave

 

30.1     An Employee shall be allowed 15 working days sick leave with pay within each 12 months period of entitlement; provided, however, that all such sick leave in excess of 2 days within each period shall only be granted on the submission of a medical certificate which shall be to the satisfaction of FRNSW.

 

30.2     Sick leave not taken shall be cumulative to a maximum period of 120 days but payment of the monetary equivalent of sick leave not taken shall not be made.

 

30.3     Where an Employee with 10 or more years' service has taken all sick leave entitlement, FRNSW may, at its discretion, grant further sick leave with or without pay.

 

31.  Bereavement Leave

 

31.1     In no way restricting the right of  FRNSW to grant leave for compassionate reasons in other circumstances, an Employee shall, on the death within Australia of a wife, husband, parent, brother, sister, child, stepchild, grandparent, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or grandchild, be entitled, on notice, to leave up to and including the day of the funeral of such relation and such leave shall be without deductions of pay for a period not exceeding 2 ordinary working days.  Proof of such death, shall, if requested, be furnished by the Employee to the satisfaction of FRNSW; provided, however, that this clause shall have operation whilst the period of entitlement to leave under it coincides with any other period of entitlement to leave.

 

31.2     For the purpose of this clause, the words "wife" and "husband" shall include a person who lives with the Employee as a de facto spouse.

 

31.3     Bereavement entitlements for casual employees

 

31.3.1 Subject to the evidentiary and notice requirements in clause 31.1 casual employees are entitled to not be available to attend work, or to leave work upon the death in Australia of a person prescribed in subclause 38.1.3 of clause 38 Personal/Carers Leave.

 

31.3.2 FRNSW and the casual employee shall agree on the period for which the casual employee will be entitled to not be available to attend work. In the absence of agreement, the casual employee is entitled to not be available to attend work for up to 48 hours (i.e. 2 days) per occasion. The casual employee is not entitled to any payment for the period of non-attendance.

 

31.3.3 FRNSW must not fail to re-engage a casual employee because the casual employee accessed the entitlements provided for in this clause. The rights of FRNSW to engage or not engage a casual employee are otherwise not affected.

 

32.  Clothing

 

32.1     Clothing, tools or any articles issued to employees shall be worn or used only in the course of their duties.

 

32.2     Clothing or other articles shall be issued to such Employee as FRNSW approves where in its opinion such clothing or article is necessary for:

 

32.2.1 Uniformity of appearance,

 

32.2.2 Protection against material which destroy or damage ordinary clothing,

 

32.2.3 Protection against weather, and

 

32.2.4 Protection against injury to the Employee.

 

32.3     An Employee shall be responsible for the care and upkeep of any clothing issued and new clothing shall not be issued until the previous clothing has been returned to the store and its loss satisfactorily accounted for.

 

32.4     An Employee shall also be responsible for tools, equipment and other articles issued or for their loss or damage through misuse or negligence.

 

32.5     An Employee shall replace any such clothing, tools, equipment or other articles so lost or damaged through the Employee's misuse or negligence or pay such amount in respect thereof which the FRNSW shall determine.

 

32.6     Where full uniform is supplied by FRNSW and is required to be worn by an Employee and such uniform becomes soiled or damaged in the execution of duty so as to require dry cleaning or repairs, such dry cleaning and repairs shall be done at the expense of the FRNSW.

 

33.  Insurance of Tools

 

33.1     In respect of those Employees entitled under this Award to a tool allowance FRNSW shall insure and shall keep insured against loss or damage by fire whilst on FRNSW’s premises, such tools of the Employee which are used in the course of their employment. The Employee shall if requested to do so furnish FRNSW with a list of their  tools so used.

 

33.2     Any such Employee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for the loss of tools up to the value set out in Item 1 of Insurance of Tools of Table 3, provided such tools are lost by theft from a breaking and entering outside working hours while the tools are stored at the FRNSW's direction on the job.

 

34.  Procedure on Charge

 

34.1     When an Employee is summoned to appear before a senior representative of FRNSW on a charge, appeal, or other formal inquiry not being a preliminary investigation, the Employee shall be given particulars; in writing, of the charge or allegation if any, against the Employee at least 48 hours before the hearing of the charge or appeal or the opening of the said inquiry and shall be allowed access, personally or by a representative duly authorised by the Employee in writing to all or any of the official papers, correspondence or reports of the FRNSW relating to the charge, appeal or subject to the said inquiry.

 

34.2     The Employee also shall be allowed to give and call evidence on the Employee's own behalf and to hear all evidence given.

 

34.3     If an Employee so requests, the Employee may be represented by an Officer of the Union before such senior representative  of FRNSW on all such occasions.

 

34.4     No adverse report about an Employee shall be placed among the records or papers relating to the Employee or noted thereupon unless the Employee concerned shall have been shown the said report which shall be evidenced by the Employee's signature thereupon unless the Employee refuses to sign in which case the Union shall be notified by FRNSW in writing within 7 days of such refusal, and shall have been given an opportunity of replying to the report. If the Employee so desires a reply, it shall be in writing, which, together with the adverse report, also shall be placed amongst the records or papers relating to the Employee or shall be noted thereupon.

 

34.5     Where FRNSW has for its own purpose caused a transcript copy of proceedings on a charge, appeal or formal inquiry to be taken, a copy of such transcript shall be supplied, free of cost, to the Employee concerned, if during the hearing or at the termination of the proceedings a request therefore in writing is made by the Employee.

 

34.5.1 After the senior representative of FRNSW has announced the recommendation or when FRNSW has made its decision as the result of a charge or an appeal, the Employee concerned shall be informed thereof in writing within 7 days after such announcement or decision has been made or has been given as the case may be.

 

35.  Anti-Discrimination

 

35.1     It is the intention of the parties bound by this Award to seek to achieve the object in section 3(f) of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 to prevent and eliminate discrimination in the workplace. This includes discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, marital status, disability,  sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and responsibilities as a carer.

 

35.2     It follows that in fulfilling their obligations under the dispute resolution procedure prescribed by this Award the parties have obligations to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the operation of the provisions of this Award are not directly or indirectly discriminatory in their effects.  It will be consistent with the fulfilment of these obligations for the parties to make application to vary any provision of this Award which, by its terms or operation, has a direct or indirect discriminatory effect.

 

35.3     Under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, it is unlawful to victimise an Employee because the Employee has made or may make or has been involved in a complaint of unlawful discrimination or harassment.

 

35.4     Nothing in this clause is to be taken to affect:

 

35.4.1 any conduct or act which is specifically exempted from anti-discrimination legislation;

 

35.4.2 offering or providing junior rates of pay to persons under 21 years of age;

 

35.4.3 any act or practice of a body established to propagate religion which is exempted under section 56(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977;

 

35.4.4 a party to this Award from pursuing matters of unlawful discrimination in any State or Federal jurisdiction.

 

35.5     This clause does not create legal rights or obligations in addition to those imposed upon the parties by the legislation referred to in this clause.

 

35.5.1 Employers and employees may also be subject to Commonwealth Anti-Discrimination legislation.

 

35.5.2 Section 56(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 provides;

 

"Nothing in the Act affects .... any other act or practice of a body established to propagate religion that conforms to the doctrines of that religion or is necessary to avoid injury to the religious susceptibilities of the adherents of that religion."

 

35a.     Work Health, Safety and Environment

 

35a.1  Employee rights with respect to Work Health and Safety are under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. FRNSW internal WHS policies are underpinned by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and available for all Employees on FRNSW’s intranet.

 

35b.     Uniforms and Personal Protective Equipment

 

35b.1  FRNSW will provide Employees covered by this Award, with uniforms and where required, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). These will be suitable and appropriate to the type of work activity being undertaken and the risks involved in those types of work activity.

 

35b.2  Uniform and PPE, where required will be provided by FRNSW, at no cost to the Employee.

 

35b.3  Reasonable alteration to the uniform and PPE for an Employee’s individual needs will be undertaken by FRNSW at no cost to the Employee where required.

 

35b.4  Where a uniform, protective clothing or equipment is provided, it must be correctly worn or utilised while the Employee is on duty.

 

35b.5  Employees will take reasonable care of uniforms, protective clothing or equipment which will remain at all times the property of FRNSW. Worn or defective items of uniform, protective clothing or equipment must be reported to the applicable supervising officer.

 

35b.6  FRNSW will replace uniforms, protective clothing and equipment on a “fair wear and tear” basis.

 

35b.7  If FRNSW intends to make significant changes to uniforms and or protective clothing and equipment, it will undertake consultation in accordance with the provisions outlined in Clause 37a (Consultative Process).

 

35b.8  Where Uniform Committees are established, they will wherever practicable and subject to procurement rules consider procuring uniforms and PPE from Australian suppliers of Australian made uniforms and PPE.

 

Medical Requirements

 

35b.9  Where there is a medical requirement and it is needed for the task, prescription eye wear, alternate footwear or other specialty aids, devices and equipment will be provided by FRNSW to ensure control of safety hazards associated with the task.

 

36.  Term of Employment

 

36.1     Except for misconduct justifying summary dismissal, the services of an Employee may be terminated only on the relevant period of notice as set out below

 

Period of continuous service

Minimum notice period

One year or less

One week

Between one and three years

Two weeks

Between three and five years

Three weeks

More than five years

Four weeks

 

36.2     If the Employee is over the age of 45 at the time of termination and has a continuous period of service with FRNSW of two years or more, FRNSW must provide an additional week’s notice in addition to the notice period specified in sub-clause 36.1 above.

 

36.3     An Employee who resigns from their employment must provide the Employer with notice of their resignation of the duration specified in the table to 36.1 above.

 

36.4     This shall not affect the right of FRNSW to dismiss any Employee without notice for inefficiency, neglect of duty or misconduct and in such cases wages shall be paid up to the time of dismissal only.

 

36.5     For the purposes of meeting the needs of the industry, FRNSW may require any Employee to work reasonable overtime, including work on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays at the rate prescribed in this Award, and unless reasonable excuse exists the Employee shall work in accordance with such requirements.

 

36.6.    In the event of wet weather, no deduction from wages shall be made subject to the following conditions:

 

36.6.1 An Employee shall continue working until such time as the officer in charge orders the Employee to cease work.

 

36.6.2 An Employee shall stand by as directed by the officer in charge.

 

36.6.3 An Employee shall report for duty as directed.

 

36.7     The absence of an Employee from work for a continuous period exceeding 5 working days without the consent of FRNSW  and without notification to FRNSW shall be prima facie evidence that the Employee has abandoned employment.

 

36.8     Provided that if within a period of 14 days from the Employee's last attendance at work or the date of the Employee's last absence in respect of which notification has been given or consent has been granted an Employee has not established to the satisfaction of the FRNSW that the absence was for reasonable cause, the Employee shall be deemed to have abandoned employment.

 

36.9     Termination of employment by abandonment in accordance with this subclause shall operate as from the date of the last attendance at work or the last day's absence in respect of which consent was granted, or the date of the last absence in respect of which notification was given to FRNSW, whichever is the later.

 

36.9.1 No payment in respect of wages, annual leave or Extended leave shall be assigned or charged to any person but shall be paid to the Employee entitled thereto or may be paid to the Employee entitled thereto or may be paid to a person authorised by the Employee to receive the same.

 

36.9.2 FRNSW shall be entitled to deduct out of an Employee's wages such sum as the Employee requests in writing in respect of contributions or payments for purposes approved by FRNSW.

 

37.  Grievance and Dispute Resolution Procedures

 

37.1     All grievances and disputes relating to the provisions of this Award shall initially be dealt with as close to the source as possible, with graduated steps for further attempts at resolution at higher levels of authority within FRNSW, if required.

 

37.2     An Employee is required to notify in writing their immediate manager, as to the substance of the grievance, dispute, or difficulty, request a meeting to discuss the matter, and if possible, state the remedy sought.

 

37.3     The immediate manager shall convene a meeting in order to resolve the grievance, dispute or difficulty within 2 working days, or as soon as practicable, of the matter being brought to attention.

 

37.4     If the matter remains unresolved with the immediate manager, the Employee may request to meet the appropriate person at the next level of management in order to resolve the matter. This manager shall respond within 2 working days, or as soon as practicable. This sequence of reference to successive levels of management may be pursued by the Employee until the matter is referred to the Commissioner.

 

37.5     The Commissioner may refer the matter to the Industrial Relations Secretary for consideration.

 

37.6     If the matter remains unresolved, the Commissioner shall provide a written response to the Employee and any other party involved in the grievance, dispute or difficulty, concerning action to be taken, or the reason for not taking action, in relation to the matter.

 

37.7     An Employee, at any stage, may request to be represented by their Union.

 

37.8     The Employee or the Union on their behalf, or the Commissioner may refer the matter to the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission if the matter is unresolved following the use of these procedures.

 

37.9     The Employee , Union, FRNSW and Industrial Relations Secretary shall agree to be bound by any order or determination by the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission in relation to the dispute.

 

37.10  Whilst the procedures outlined in subclauses 37.1 to 37.9 of this clause are being followed, normal work undertaken prior to notification of the dispute or difficulty shall continue unless otherwise agreed between the parties, or, in the case involving occupational health and safety, if practicable, normal work shall proceed in a manner which avoids any risk to the health and safety of any Employee or member of the public.

 

37a.     Consultation

 

37a.1  This clause recognises the capacity of the Commissioner to make decisions to effect change within FRNSW. This clause also recognises that where FRNSW seeks to introduce or implement any major change that significantly affects Employees, provisions of this Award and/or the employment relationship, such change will be the subject of consultation with the Unions and the affected Employees.

 

37a.2  FRNSW must genuinely consult before any decision to implement such change is finalised. Such consultation must occur as early as possible and cover the introduction of such changes, the effects they are likely to have and the measures for averting or mitigating the adverse effects of the proposed change/s.

 

37a.3  Consultation as defined for the purposes of this Award means the full, meaningful and candid disclosure and discussion of issues and proposals with a genuine consideration of each party’s views. The consultation process requires full disclosure of the proposed change including relevant information pertaining to it, and an opportunity for the Unions to consider and respond to the proposed change, along with an opportunity to provide an alternative proposal. Consultation shall provide a genuine opportunity to affect the outcome of change prior to FRNSW making a final decision and implementation of change/s.

 

37a.4  If there is a matter which remains in dispute regarding a decision to be implemented, as notified by the Commissioner and/or FRNSW to the Unions and Employees, the Union can follow the dispute procedure set out at clause 37, however, may commence those procedures from sub-clause 37.8, that is by referral to the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38.  Personal/Carer’s Leave

 

38.1     Use of Sick Leave -

 

38.1.1 An Employee, other than a casual employee, with responsibilities in relation to a class of person set out in 38.1.3 who needs the Employee’s care and support, shall be entitled to use, in accordance with this subclause, any current or accrued sick leave entitlement, provided for at clause 30 of the Award, for absences to provide care and support, for such persons when they are ill. Such leave may be taken for part of a single day.

 

38.1.2 The Employee shall, if required, establish either by production of a medical certificate or statutory declaration, the illness of the person concerned and that the illness is such as to require care by another person.  In normal circumstances, an Employee must not take carer’s leave under this subclause where another person has taken leave to care for the same person.

 

38.1.3 The entitlement to use sick leave in accordance with this subclause is subject to:

 

38.1.3.1          the Employee being responsible for the care of the person concerned; and

 

38.1.3.2          the person concerned being:

 

38.1.3.2.1       a spouse of the Employee; or

 

38.1.3.2.2       a de facto spouse, who, in relation to a person, is a person of the opposite sex to the first mentioned person who lives with the first mentioned person as the husband or wife of that person on a bona fide domestic basis although not legally married to that person; or

 

38.1.3.2.3       a child or an adult child (including and adopted child, a step child, a foster child or an ex nuptial child), parent (including a foster parent and legal guardian), grandparent, grandchild or sibling of the Employee or spouse or de facto spouse of the Employee; or

 

38.1.3.2.4       a same sex partner who lives with the Employee as the de facto partner of that Employee on a bona fide domestic basis; or

 

38.1.3.2.5       a relative of the Employee who is a member of the same household, where for the purposes of this paragraph:

 

(i)         "relative" means a person related by blood, marriage or affinity;

(ii)        "affinity" means a relationship that one spouse because of marriage has to blood relatives of the other; and

(iii)       "household" means a family group living in the same domestic dwelling.

 

38.1.4 An Employee shall, wherever practicable, give FRNSW notice prior to the absence of the intention to take leave, the name of the person requiring care and that person’s relationship to the Employee, the reasons for taking such leave and the estimated length of absence. If it is not practicable for the Employee to give prior notice of absence, the Employee shall notify FRNSW by telephone of such absence at the first opportunity on the day of absence.

 

38.2     Unpaid Leave for Family Purpose -

 

38.2.1 An Employee may elect, with the consent of FRNSW, to take unpaid leave for the purpose of providing care and support to a member of a class of person set out in 38.1.3 above who is ill.

 

38.3     Time Off in Lieu of Payment for Overtime -

 

38.3.1 An Employee may elect, with the consent of FRNSW, to take time off in lieu of payment for overtime at a time or times agreed with FRNSW within 12 months of the said election.

 

38.3.2 Overtime taken as time off during ordinary time hours shall be taken at the ordinary time rate, that is, an hour for each hour worked.

 

38.3.3 If, having elected to take time as leave in accordance with paragraph 38.3.1 above, the leave is not taken for whatever reason, payment for time accrued at overtime rates shall be made at the expiry of the 12-month period or on termination.

 

38.3.4 Where no election is made in accordance with paragraph 38.3.1, the Employee shall be paid overtime rates in accordance with the Award.

 

38.4     Make-up Time -

 

38.4.1 An Employee may elect, with the consent of FRNSW, to work "make-up time" under which the Employee takes time off ordinary hours, and works those hours at a later time, during the spread of ordinary hours provided in the Award, at the ordinary rate of pay.

 

38.4.2 An Employee on shift work may elect, with the consent of FRNSW to work "make-up time" (under which the Employee takes time off ordinary hours and works those hours at a later time), at the shift work rate which would have been applicable to the hours taken off.

 

38.5     Personal Carers Entitlement for casual employees -

 

38.5.1 Subject to the evidentiary and notice requirements in 38.1.2 and 38.1.3 casual employees are entitled to not be available to attend work, or to leave work if they need to care for a person prescribed in subclause 38.1.3.2 of this clause who are sick and require care and support, or who require care due to an unexpected emergency, or the birth of a child.

 

38.5.2 FRNSW and the casual employee shall agree on the period for which the casual employee will be entitled to not be available to attend work. In the absence of agreement, the casual employee is entitled to not be available to attend work for up to 48 hours (i.e. 2 days) per occasion. The casual employee is not entitled to any payment for the period of non-attendance.

 

38.5.3 FRNSW must not fail to re-engage a casual employee because the casual employee accessed the entitlements provided for in this clause. The rights of FRNSW to engage or not to engage a casual employee are otherwise not affected.

 

39.  Parental Leave

 

39.1     Eligibility for Paid Parental Leave

 

39.1.1 An Employee who has, or will have completed not less than 40 weeks’ continuous service (at the expected date of birth, time of adoption, time of altruistic surrogacy or the ongoing placement of a child) is entitled to up to 14 weeks paid parental leave if the leave is associated with:

 

39.1.1.1 the birth of a child (or children from a multiple birth) of the Employee, the Employee’s partner or the Employee’s legal surrogate, the adoption of a child (or children) under 18 years of age by the Employee or the Employee’s partner, or the ongoing placement of a child or young person (or children or young persons) under 18 years of age with the Employee or the Employees’ partner; and

 

39.1.1. 2 the Employee has or will have responsibility for the care of the child or young person.

 

39.1.2  Paid parental leave must be taken in a single continuous period within the first 24 months from the date of birth, adoption, altruistic surrogacy, or ongoing placement. For birth-related leave, paid  parental leave may commence prior to the time of birth as provided for in subclause 38.3.1.

 

39.2     Bonus Paid Parental Leave

 

39.2.1 An Employee who has, or will have, completed not less than 40 weeks’ continuous service (at the expected date of birth, time of adoption, time of altruistic surrogacy, or ongoing placement) is entitled to an additional 2 week bonus paid parental leave where each parent has exhausted any paid parental leave offered by their employer.

 

39.2.2 Employees who are single parents or whose partners do not have access to or are ineligible for employer paid parental leave will receive the full two weeks of bonus paid parental leave.

 

39.2.3 The two weeks bonus parental leave is in addition to the 14 weeks paid parental leave outlined in 39.1 of this subclause.

 

39.3     Taking of Parental Leave

 

39.3.1 A Employee  who has been granted paid parental leave in accordance with 39.1 of this subclause may take leave after the actual date of birth, adoption, or ongoing placement of a child (or children or young person):

 

39.3.1.1 full-time for a period of up to 12 months; or

 

39.3.1.2 part-time for a period of up to 2 years; or

 

39.3.1.3 as a combination of full-time and part-time over a proportionate period of up to 2 years.

 

39.4     An Employee who is pregnant and meets the requirements of 39.1 of this subclause shall, subject to this clause, be entitled to be granted parental leave in accordance with 39.3 of this subclause as well as for a period up to 9 weeks prior to the expected date of birth.

 

39.5     When an Employee has been granted paid parental leave in accordance with 39.1 of this subclause in association with the adoption of a child (or children) under 18 years of age by the Employee or the Employee’s partner, or the ongoing placement of a child or young person (or children or young persons) under 18 years of age with the Employee or the Employees’ partner, that leave shall commence on the date that the Employee takes custody of the child concerned, whether that date is before or after the date on which a court makes an order for the adoption of the child by the Employee.

 

39.6     Effect of stillbirth or death of child on unpaid parental leave 

 

39.6.1 If:

 

(a)  a child is stillborn; and

(b)  an Employee would have been entitled to unpaid parental leave that is birth - related leave, if the child had been born alive;

 

then the employee is taken to be entitled to the unpaid parental leave, despite the stillbirth of the child.

 

39.7     A pregnant Employee who has been granted paid parental leave in accordance with 39.1 of this subclause and whose child is stillborn may elect to take available sick leave instead of parental leave.

 

39.8     An Employee who resumes duty immediately on the expiration of parental leave shall be entitled to resume duty in the position occupied by them immediately before the commencement of parental leave, if the position still exists.

 

39.9     If the position occupied by an Employee immediately prior to parental leave has ceased to exist, but there are other positions available that the Employee is qualified for and is capable of performing, the Employee shall be appointed to a position of the same grade and classification as the Employee’s former position, subject to the mobility provisions of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013.

 

39.10  Except as provided in clause 39.1 and 39.2 of this subclause, parental leave shall be granted without pay.

 

39.11  Concurrency of Paid Parental Leave

 

39.11.1 All paid parental leave may be taken concurrently except in circumstances where both parents are employed in the same NSW Government Sector workplace and operational requirements may prevent concurrent leave.

 

39.11.2 Employees where both parents are employed at the same NSW Government Sector workplace may take up to 4 weeks paid parental leave concurrently with their partner. Employees may request to take more than 4 weeks of paid parental leave concurrently with their partner, which FRNSW will consider and may reject in accordance with clause 39.12.3 of this Award. 

 

39.12  Flexibility for Taking Paid Parental Leave

 

39.12.1. While an Employee’s eligibility for paid parental leave is determined at the time of birth, adoption, altruistic surrogacy or ongoing placement, the Employee and FRNSW may agree    for the Employee to use paid parental leave entitlements at any time within the first 24 months from the date of birth, adoption, altruistic surrogacy, or ongoing placement.

 

39.12.2.An Employee may request:

 

39.12.2.1 to use their paid parental leave entitlement in a manner other than a single continuous period; or

 

39.12.2.2        to take more than 4 weeks of paid parental leave concurrently;

 

39.12.3           FRNSW will consider their operational requirements and the Employee’s personal and family circumstances in considering requests and may refuse the request on reasonable business grounds related to the impact on the workplace including but not limited to excessive cost, lack of adequate replacement staff, loss of productivity or impact on service delivery. FRNSW will provide their response to the Employee’s request within 21 days.

 

39.12.4           Should FRNSW agree to paid parental leave in a manner other than a single continuous period, the period of leave must not extend beyond the first 24 months from the date of birth, adoption, altruistic surrogacy, or ongoing placement and will    not be extended by any periods of public holidays that fall within the paid parental leave period.

 

39.13 Additional Provisions for Altruistic Surrogacy and Ongoing Placement Arrangements

 

39.13.1           Where an Employee takes paid parental leave in respect of an ongoing placement arrangement and later adopts, becomes the legal guardian or cares for the child (or children) or young person/s under a different legal order, the Employee is not entitled to access a further period of paid parental leave in connection with the adoption, guardianship order or other legal order of the same child.

 

39.13.4 In the event that an ongoing placement arrangement ceases, and the Employee no longer had responsibility for the care of the child/children, the Employee must notify FRNSW as soon as practicable. At the cessation of an ongoing placement, the remaining period of Paid Parental Leave ceases, and the Employee should speak to FRNSW about alternative leave arrangements        and/or a return-to-work date.

 

39.14  FRNSW must not fail to re-engage a regular casual employee (see section 53(2) of the IR Act) because:

 

39.14.1           the casual employee or casual employee's spouse is pregnant; or

 

39.14.2           the casual employee is or has been immediately absent on parental leave;

 

39.14.3           the rights of FRNSW in relation to engagement and re-engagement of casual employees are not affected, other than in accordance with this clause.

 

39.15  Right to request - An Employee entitled to parental leave may request FRNSW to allow the Employee:

 

39.15.1           to extend the period of simultaneous unpaid parental leave use up to a maximum of eight weeks;

 

39.15.2           to extend the period of unpaid parental leave for a further continuous period of leave not exceeding 12 months;

 

39.15.3           to return from a period of parental leave on a part-time basis until the child reaches school age;

 

39.15.4           to assist the Employee in reconciling work and parental responsibilities.

 

39.15.5           FRNSW shall consider the request having regard to the Employee's circumstances and, provided the request is genuinely based on the Employee's parental responsibilities, may only refuse the request on reasonable grounds related to the effect on the workplace or FRNSW’s business. Such grounds might include cost, lack of adequate replacement staff, loss of efficiency and the impact on customer service.

 

39.15.6           Employee's request and FRNSW’s decision to be in writing. The Employee's request and FRNSW decision made under 39.15.2 and 39.15.4 must be recorded in writing.

 

39.15.7           Request to return to work part-time - Where an Employee wishes to make a request under 39.15.3 such a request must be made as soon as possible but no less than 7 weeks prior to the date upon which the Employee is due to return to work from parental leave.

 

39.15.8           Communication during parental leave - Where an Employee is on parental leave and a definite decision has been made to introduce significant change at the workplace, FRNSW shall take reasonable steps to:

 

39.15.8.1        make information available in relation to any significant effect the change will have on the status or responsibility level of the position the Employee held before commencing parental leave; and

 

39.15.8.2        provide an opportunity for the Employee to discuss any significant effect the change will have on the status or responsibility level of the position the Employee held before commencing parental leave.

 

39.15.8.3        The Employee shall take reasonable steps to inform FRNSW about any significant matter that will affect the Employee's decision regarding the duration of parental leave to be taken, whether the Employee intends to return to work and whether the Employee intends to request to return to work on a part-time basis.

 

39.15.8.4        The Employee shall also notify FRNSW of changes of address or other contact details which might affect FRNSW's capacity to comply with 39.15.8.1.

 

39.16  Special Adoption Leave -– An Employee shall be entitled to special adoption leave without pay for up to 2 days to attend interviews or examinations for the purposes of adoption. Special adoption leave may be taken as a charge against recreation leave, extended leave, flexitime or family and community service.

 

40.  Family and Community Service Leave

 

40.1     FRNSW shall grant to an Employee some or all of the available family and community service leave on full pay, for reasons relating to family responsibilities, performance of community service or emergencies.

 

40.2     Such cases may include but not be limited to the following:

 

40.2.1 compassionate grounds - such as the death or illness of a close member of the family or a member of the Employee’s household;

 

40.2.2 emergency accommodation matters up to 1 day, such as attendance at court as defendant in an eviction action, arranging accommodation, or when required to remove furniture and effects;

 

40.2.3 emergency or weather conditions, such as when flood, fire or snow or disruption to utility services etc. threaten property and/or prevent an Employee from reporting for duty;

 

40.2.4 attending to family responsibilities such as citizenship ceremonies, parent/teacher interviews or attending child's school for other reasons;

 

40.2.5 attendance at court by an Employee to answer a charge for a criminal offence, only if FRNSW considers the granting of family and community service leave to be appropriate in a particular case;

 

40.2.6 attendance at a competitor in major amateur sport (other than Olympic or Commonwealth Games) for Employees who are selected to represent Australia or the State; and

 

40.2.7 absence during normal working hours to attend meetings, conferences or to perform other duties, for an Employee holding office in Local Government, and whose duties necessitate absence during normal working hours for these purposes, provided that the Employee does not hold a position of Mayor of a Municipal Council, President of a Shire Council or Chairperson of a County Council.

 

40.3     The maximum amount of family and community service leave on full pay which may, subject to this Award, be granted to an Employee shall be the greater of the leave provided in subclauses 40.3.1 or 40.3.2 of this clause.

 

40.3.1 2½ of the Employee's working days in the first year of service and, on completion of the first year's service, 5 of the Employee's working days in any period of 2 years; or

 

40.3.2 After the completion of 2 years' continuous service, the available family and community service leave is determined by allowing 1 day's leave for each completed year of service less the total amount of family and community service leave previously granted to the Employee.

 

40.4     If available family and community service leave is exhausted as a result of natural disasters, FRNSW shall consider applications for additional family and community service leave, if some other emergency arises. On the death of a person as described in 38.1.3.2 of clause 38, Personal/Carer’s Leave, additional paid family and community service leave of up to 2 days may be granted on a discrete, per occasion basis to an Employee.

 

40.5     In cases of illness of a family member for whose care and support the Employee is responsible, paid sick leave in accordance with subclause 38.1.3.2 of clause 38 of this Award shall be granted when paid family and community service leave has been exhausted.

 

40a      Domestic and Family Violence Leave

 

40a.1      Definitions

 

40a.1.1   Domestic violence is any behaviour in an intimate, family or domestic relationship, which is violent, threatening, coercive, controlling or causes a person to live in fear for their own or someone else’s safety. It may be a pattern of ongoing controlling or coercive behaviour.

 

40a.1.2   An intimate relationship refers to people who are or have been in an intimate partnership, whether or not the relationship involves or has involved a sexual relationship, for example, married, engaged to be married, separated, divorced, de facto partners, couple promised to each other under cultural or religious tradition, or who are dating.

 

40a.1.3   A family relationship has a broader definition and includes people who are related to another through blood, marriage or de facto partnerships, adoption and fostering relationships, sibling, and extended family relationships. It includes the full range of kinship ties in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and extended family relationships. People living in the same house may also be in a domestic relationship if their relationships exhibit dynamics which may foster coercive and abusive behaviours.

 

40a.1.4   Examples of behaviours that constitute domestic and family violence include but are not limited to:

(i)  physical and sexual violence;

(ii)           verbal abuse;

(iii)              emotional or psychological abuse;

(iv)              stalking and intimidation;

(v)           technological facilitated abuse;

(vi)              social and geographical isolation;

(vii)            financial abuse;

(viii)          cruelty to pets

(ix)              damage to property; or

(x)           threats to be violent in the above ways.

 

40a.2      Leave for matters arising from Domestic and Family Violence Leave

 

40a.2.1   The definition of domestic violence is in clause 40a.1 of this Award.

 

40a.2.2   Employees, including part time or casual Employees, are entitled to 20 days of paid domestic and family violence leave in each calendar year. This leave is not cumulative.

 

40a.2.3   Paid domestic and family violence leave is not pro-rata for part-time or casual Employees.

 

40a.2.4   Employees can take paid domestic and family violence leave in part-days, single days, or consecutive days. There is not a minimum number of hours that an Employee must take in a day.

 

40a.2.5   Employees experiencing domestic and family violence may take domestic and family violence leave including for the following purposes:

(i)            seeking safe accommodation or establishing safety;

(ii)           attending medical, legal, police or counselling appointments relating to their experience of domestic and family violence;

(ii)           attending court and other legal proceedings relating to their experience of domestic and family violence;

(iv)          organising alternative care or education arrangements for their children or person(s) in their care;

(v)           other activities that will help them to establish safety and recover from their experience of domestic and family violence; or

(vi)          any other purpose associated with the impact of experiencing domestic and family violence which is impractical to do outside of their normal hours of work.

 

40a.2.6   Domestic and family violence leave does not need to be approved before it can be accessed. However, Employees should advise FRNSW of the need to take domestic and family violence leave as soon as possible.

 

40a.2.7   The leave entitlement can be accessed without the need to exhaust other available leave entitlements first.

 

40a.2.8   FRNSW should only require evidence of the occurrence of domestic and family violence in exceptional circumstances and should use their discretion when assessing whether evidence is needed, and if so, what type of evidence.

 

40a.2.9   Evidence of the occurrence of domestic and family violence may include:

 

(i)            a document issued by the police, a court, a domestic violence support service or a member of the legal profession;

(ii)           a provisional, interim or final Apprehended Violence Order (AVO), Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO), certificate of conviction or family law injunction;

(iii)          a medical certificate;

(iv)          a statutory declaration by the Employee experiencing domestic and family violence; or

(v)           any other evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person that domestic and family violence has occurred.

 

40a.2.10      Evidence provided by an Employee should be sighted and must be returned to the Employee. The evidence must not be retained by FRNSW or stored on the Employee’s personnel file.

 

40a.2.11      The intent of paid domestic and family violence leave is to provide Employees with the same remuneration as they would have received, inclusive of penalties that would have applied, if they did not take the leave.

 

(i)            Full-time and part-time Employees are entitled to be paid at their full rate of pay for the hours they would have worked had they not taken the leave.

(ii)           Casual Employees will be paid at their full rate of pay for the hours they were rostered for and would have worked had they not taken the leave. For the purposes of this clause, “Rostered” means FRNSW has offered specific hours of work and the casual employee has accepted that offer.

 

40a.2.12      FRNSW must keep personal information about domestic and family violence (including information about support provided by FRNSW) confidential. This includes not recording instances of or information about domestic and family violence leave on:

(i)            payslips,

(ii)           the Employee’s personnel file, or

(iii)              rosters.

 

40a.2.13 Any information regarding an Employee’s experience of domestic or family violence, including any domestic and family violence leave or supports provided (under this clause or otherwise), can only be accessed by senior HR personnel or, with the Employee’s consent, a relevant senior manager.

 

40a.2.14      FRNSW must not take adverse action against an Employee because they:

(i)            have experienced, or are experiencing, domestic and family violence;

(ii)           use the paid domestic and family violence leave provisions; or

(ii)           are a casual Employee who declines to take a shift they are not rostered for because they are attending to a matter connected with domestic and family violence at that time.

 

40a.2.15 FRNSW will provide support to an Employee experiencing domestic and family violence, including but not limited to the provision of flexible working arrangements, including changing working times, work locations, telephone numbers and email addresses.

 

40a.3      Leave for Employees providing support to people experiencing domestic and family violence

 

40a.3.1   Employees providing care and support to a member of their family or household experiencing domestic and family violence may, if the criteria is met, access existing leave entitlements including:

(i)  Family and Community Service Leave (Clause 40); or

(ii) Personal / Carer’s Leave (Clause 38).

 

40a.3.2   The “family” or “household” member that the Employee is providing care and support to must meet the definition of these terms, as referred to at:

(i)  Clause 38.1.3 Personal / Carer’s Leave

 

40a3.3    If FRNSW needs to establish the reasons for an Employee accessing existing leave entitlements under these provisions, the Employee may be required to provide evidence consistent with subclause 38.1.2 Personal / Carer’s Leave of this Award or any other form of evidence that is considered acceptable by FRNSW such as a statutory declaration.

 

40a3.4    Evidence provided by an Employee should be sighted and must be returned to the Employee. The evidence must not be retained by FRNSW or stored on the Employee’s personnel file.

 

41.  Union Rights

 

41.1     Trade Union Activities Regarded as on Duty

 

A Union delegate will be released from the performance of normal duty when required to undertake any of the activities specified below. While undertaking such activities the Union delegate will be regarded as being on duty and will not be required to apply for leave:

 

41.1.1     attendance at meetings of the workplace's Work Health and Safety Committee and participation in all official activities relating to the functions and responsibilities of elected Work Health and Safety Committee members at a place of work as provided for in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025.

 

41.1.2     attendance at meetings with FRNSW workplace management or workplace management representatives;

 

41.1.3          a reasonable period of preparation time, before -

 

(a)           meetings with FRNSW workplace management;

(b)           disciplinary or grievance meetings when a Union member requires the presence of a Union delegate; and

(c)           any other meeting with FRNSW workplace management by agreement with FRNSW workplace management, where operational requirements allow the taking of such time;

 

41.1.4     giving evidence in court on behalf of FRNSW;

 

41.1.5     appearing as a witness before the Industrial Relations Commission;

 

41.1.6     representing the Union at the Industrial Relations Commission as an advocate;

 

41.1.7     presenting information on the Union and Union activities at induction sessions for new Employees of FRNSW; and

 

41.1.8     distributing official Union publications or other authorised material at the workplace, provided that a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is given to FRNSW workplace management, unless otherwise agreed between the parties. Distribution time is to be kept to a minimum and is to be undertaken at a time convenient to the workplace.

 

41.2     Trade Union Activities Regarded as Special Leave

 

                The granting of special leave with pay will apply to the following activities undertaken by a Union delegate, as specified below:

 

41.2.1     annual or biennial conferences of the Union;

 

41.2.2     meetings of the Union’s Executive, Committee of Management or Councils;

 

41.2.3     annual conference of Unions NSW and the biennial Congress of the Australian Council of Trade Unions;

 

41.2.4     attendance at meetings called by Unions NSW involving the Union which requires attendance of a delegate;

 

41.2.5     attendance at meetings called by FRNSW on behalf the Industrial Relations Secretary, as the employer for industrial purposes, as and when required;

 

41.2.6     giving evidence before an Industrial Tribunal as a witness for the Union;

 

41.2.7     reasonable travelling time to and from conferences or meetings to which the provisions of clauses 41.1, 41.2 and 41.3 apply.

 

41.3     Trade Union Training Courses

 

             The following training courses will attract the grant of special leave as specified below: -

 

41.3.1     Accredited Work Health and Safety (WHS) courses and any other accredited WHS training for WHS Committee members. The provider(s) of accredited WHS training courses and the conditions on which special leave for such courses will be granted, will be negotiated between FRNSW and the Union under a local arrangement.

 

41.3.2     Courses organised and conducted by the Union, or a training provider nominated by the Union. A maximum of 12 working days in any period of 2 years applies to this training and is subject to:

 

(a)           the operating requirements of the workplace permitting the grant of leave and the absence not requiring employment of relief Employees;

(b)           payment being at the base rate, i.e. excluding extraneous payments such as shift allowances/penalty rates, overtime, etc;

(c)           all travelling and associated expenses being met by the Employee or the Union;

(d)           attendance being confirmed in writing by the Union or a nominated training provider.

 

41.4.    Period of Notice for Trade Union Activities

 

41.4.1     FRNSW must be notified in writing by the Union or, where appropriate, by the delegate as soon as the date and/or time of the meeting, conference or other accredited activity is known.

 

41.5     Access to Facilities by Trade Union Delegates

 

41.5.1     The workplace will provide accredited delegates with reasonable access to the following facilities for authorised Union activities:

 

(a)           telephone, facsimile, internet and email facilities;

(b)           a notice board for material authorised by the Union or access to employee notice boards for material authorised by the Union;

(c)           workplace conference or meeting facilities, where available, for meetings with member(s), as negotiated between FRNSW and the Union.

 

41.6.    Responsibilities of the Trade Union Delegate

 

Responsibilities of the Union delegate are to:

 

41.6.1     establish accreditation as a delegate with the Union and provide proof of accreditation to the workplace;

 

41.6.2     participate in the workplace consultative processes, as appropriate;

 

41.6.3     follow the dispute settling procedure applicable in the workplace;

 

41.6.4     provide sufficient notice to the immediate supervisor of any proposed absence on authorised Union business;

 

41.6.5     account for all time spent on authorised Union business;

 

41.6.6     when special leave is required, to apply for special leave in advance;

 

41.6.7     distribute union literature/membership forms, under local arrangements negotiated between FRNSW and the Union; and

 

41.6.8     use any facilities provided by the workplace properly and reasonably as negotiated at organisational level.

 

41.7.  Responsibilities of the Trade Union

 

             Responsibilities of the Union are to:

 

41.7.1     provide written advice to FRNSW about a Union activity to be undertaken by a delegate and, if requested, to provide written confirmation to FRNSW of the delegate's attendance/participation in the activity;

 

41.7.2     meet all travelling, accommodation and any other costs incurred by the delegate, except as provided in paragraph 41.8.3 of subclause 41.8, Responsibilities of Workplace Management, of this Award;

 

41.7.3     provide proof of identity when visiting a workplace in an official capacity, if requested to do so by FRNSW; and

 

41.7.4     assist FRNSW workplace management in ensuring that time taken by the Union delegate is accounted for and any facilities provided by FRNSW are used reasonably and properly.

 

41.8.    Responsibilities of FRNSW Workplace Management

 

Where time is required for Union activities in accordance with this clause the responsibilities of the workplace management are to:

 

41.8.1     release the delegate from duty for the duration of the Union activity, as appropriate, and, where necessary, to allow for sufficient travelling time during the ordinary working hours;

 

41.8.2     advise the workplace delegate of the date of the next induction session for new Employees in sufficient time to enable the Union to arrange representation at the session;

 

41.8.3     meet the travel and/or accommodation costs properly and reasonably incurred in respect of meetings called by the workplace management;

 

41.8.4     where possible, to provide relief in the role occupied by the delegate in the workplace, while the delegate is undertaking Union responsibilities to assist with the business of workplace management;

 

41.8.5     re-credit any other leave applied for on the day to which special leave or release from duty subsequently applies;

 

41.8.6     where a Union activity provided under this clause needs to be undertaken on the Union delegate's rostered day off to apply the provisions of paragraph 41.8.5 of this subclause;

 

41.8.7     to verify with the Union the time spent by a Union delegate or delegates on Union business, if required; and

 

41.8.8     if the time and/or the facilities allowed for Union activities are thought to be used unreasonably and/or improperly, to consult with the Union before taking any remedial action.

 

41.9.  Right of Entry Provisions

 

41.9.1     The right of entry provisions will be as prescribed under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Industrial Relations Act 1996.

 

41.10. Travelling and Other Costs of Trade Union Delegates

 

41.10.1   Except as specified in paragraph 41.8.3 of subclause 41.8, Responsibilities of Workplace Management, of this Award, all travel and other costs incurred by Union delegates in the course of Union activities will be paid by the Union.

 

41.10.2   In respect of meetings called by FRNSW workplace management in terms of paragraph 41.8.3 of clause 41.8, Responsibilities of FRNSW Workplace Management of this Award, the payment of travel and/or accommodation costs, properly and reasonably incurred, is to be made, as appropriate, on the same conditions as apply under clauses 24, Travelling Time and Fares, and 25, Travelling Expenses, of this Award.

 

41.10.3   No overtime, leave in lieu, shift penalties or any other additional costs will be claimable by an Employee from FRNSW, in respect of Union activities covered by special leave or on duty activities provided for in this clause.

 

41.11.  Industrial Action

 

41.11.1   There will be no victimisation of Employees prior to, during or following such industrial action.

 

41.12. Deduction of Trade Union Membership Fees

 

41.12.1   At the Employee’s election, FRNSW will provide for the Employee’s Union membership fees to be deducted from the Employee’s pay and ensure that such fees are transmitted to the Employee’s Union at regular intervals. Alternative arrangements for the deduction of Union membership fees may be negotiated between FRNSW and the Union.

 

 

 

 

42.       Contractors, Supplementary Labour and Outsourcing

 

42.1     Definitions

 

42.1.1     Contractors – persons who provide services to FRNSW on a fee for service basis.

 

42.1.2     Supplementary Labour – labour sourced by FRNSW from providers to supplement its permanent workforce.

 

42.1.3     Project Work – work undertaken on limited duration projects.

 

42.1.4     Outsourcing – the engagement of external contractors or service providers to undertake work of existing Employees.

 

42.2     Use of Contractors and Supplementary

 

42.2.1     FRNSW will use direct permanent employment as the preferred labour option within the organisation.

 

42.2.2     Contractors and Supplementary Labour may be used in circumstances including, but not limited to:

(a) when specialist skills are required or where there is a need to work on specialist equipment;

(b) where there are non-core skills and/or work to be performed;

(c) where there are limited duration projects;

(d) where there are warranty obligations that require external parties to undertake work;

(e) during special events; or

(f)  in the event of an emergency to address an immediate need.

 

42.2.3     Where it is proposed by FRNSW to reduce staffing levels in a work group in which permanent Employees and Contractors and/or Supplementary Labour are engaged to undertake the same ongoing work, priority will be given to reducing Contractors and Supplementary Labour prior to abolishing permanent positions. If the Unions have any concerns about the application of this clause it can be raised in the consultation process referred to in clause 37a (Consultation).

 

42.3     Outsourcing

 

42.3.1     Where FRNSW proposes to outsource work undertaken by existing Employees at the time of outsourcing, FRNSW will:

(a) Consult with relevant parties to this Award;

(b) Provide reasons for the proposal to outsource;

(c) Provide full details of the work to be outsourced;

(d) Provide details of the numbers of Employees affected by the proposal to outsource; and

(e) Provide proposed timeframes for the outsourcing to take place. 

 

42.4     Safety

 

42.4.1     Contractors and Supplementary Labour will be required to comply with relevant FRNSW  safety specifications and undertake site inductions.

 

42.5     Disputes

 

42.5.1     Where disputes arise about the use of Contractors and Supplementary Labour or outsourcing, these matters will be dealt with in accordance with clause 37 (Grievance and Dispute Resolution Procedures).

 

42.5.2     Contractors and Supplementary Labour are not bound by the terms of this Award, however, they are still required to adhere to FRNSW polices and comply with workplace obligations as set out by FRNSW.

 

43.  Salary Packaging Arrangements, Including Salary Sacrifice to Superannuation

 

43.1     The entitlement to salary package in accordance with this clause is available to:

 

43.1.1 permanent full-time and part-time Employees;

 

43.1.2 temporary Employees, subject to FRNSW’s convenience; and

 

43.1.3 casual Employees, subject to the FRNSW convenience, and limited to salary sacrifice to superannuation in accordance with subclause 43.7.

 

43.2     For the purposes of this clause:

 

43.2.1 "salary" means the salary or rate of pay prescribed for the Employee's classification in Table 1 - Wages of this Award, and any other payment that can be salary packaged in accordance with Australian taxation law.

 

43.2.2 "post compulsory deduction salary" means the amount of salary available to be packaged after payroll deductions required by legislation or order have been taken into account. Such payroll deductions may include, but are not limited to, taxes, compulsory superannuation payments, HECS payments, child support payments, and judgement debtor/garnishee orders.

 

43.3     By mutual agreement with FRNSW, an Employee may elect to package a part or all of their post compulsory deduction salary in order to obtain:

 

43.3.1 a benefit or benefits selected from those approved by FRNSW; and

 

43.3.2 an amount equal to the difference between the Employee’s salary, and the amount specified by FRNSW for the benefit provided to or in respect of the Employee in accordance with such agreement.

 

43.4     An election to salary package must be made prior to the commencement of the period of service to which the earnings relate.

 

43.5     The agreement shall be known as a Salary Packaging Agreement.

 

43.6     Except in accordance with subclause 43.7, a Salary Packaging Agreement shall be recorded in writing and shall be for a period of time as mutually agreed between the Employee and FRNSW at the time of signing the Salary Packaging Agreement.

 

43.7     Where an Employee makes an election to sacrifice a part or all of their post compulsory deduction salary as additional employer superannuation contributions, the Employee may elect to have the amount sacrificed:

 

43.7.1 paid into the superannuation fund established under the Aware Super Act 1992; or

 

43.7.2 where FRNSW is making compulsory employer superannuation contributions to another complying superannuation fund, paid into the same complying fund; or

 

43.7.3 subject to the FRNSW’s agreement, paid into another complying superannuation fund.

 

43.8     Where the Employee makes an election to salary sacrifice, FRNSW shall pay the amount of post compulsory deduction salary, the subject of election, to the relevant superannuation fund.

 

43.9     Where the Employee makes an election to salary package and where the Employee is a member of a superannuation scheme established under the:

 

43.9.1 Police Regulation (Superannuation) Act 1906;

 

43.9.2 Superannuation Act 1916;

 

43.9.3 State Authorities Superannuation Act 1987; or

 

43.9.4 State Authorities Non-contributory Superannuation Act 1987,

 

FRNSW must ensure that the Employee’s superable salary for the purposes of the above Acts, as notified to the SAS Trustee Corporation, is calculated as if the Salary Packaging Agreement had not been entered into.

 

43.10  Where the Employee makes an election to salary package, and where the Employee is a member of a superannuation fund other than a fund established under legislation listed in subclause 43.9 of this clause, FRNSW must continue to base contributions to that fund on the salary payable as if the Salary Packaging Agreement had not been entered into.  This clause applies even though the superannuation contributions made by FRNSW may be in excess of superannuation guarantee requirements after the salary packaging is implemented.

 

43.11  Where the Employee makes an election to salary package:

 

43.11.1           subject to Australian taxation law, the amount of salary packaged will reduce the salary subject to appropriate PAYG taxation deductions by the amount packaged; and

 

43.11.2           any allowance, penalty rate, payment for unused leave entitlements, weekly worker’s compensation or other payment, other than any payments for leave taken in service, to which an Employee is entitled under this agreement or any applicable Award, Act or statute which is expressed to be determined by reference to the Employee’s rate of pay, shall be calculated by reference to the rate of pay which would have applied to the Employee in Table 1 - Wages of this Award if the Salary Packaging Agreement had not been entered into.

 

43.12  FRNSW  may vary the range and type of benefits available from time to time following discussion with the Union. Such variations shall apply to any existing or future Salary Packaging Agreement from date of such variation.

 

43.13  FRNSW y will determine from time to time the value of the benefits provided following discussion with the Union. Such variations shall apply to any existing or future Salary Packaging Agreement from the date of such variation.  In this circumstance, the Employee may elect to terminate the Salary Packaging Agreement.

 

 

44.  Calculations

 

44.1     In relation to Part B of this Award, and specifically Tables 1, 2 and 3, per week amounts are rounded to the nearest ten cents, per day to the nearest cent, and per hour to the cent.

 

44.2     Calculation Methodology – Fire Vehicle Repairer (FVR)

 

44.2.1 The relativity of each FVR Classification Level to the weekly wage is expressed in Clause 10 Classification Structure and Labour Flexibility and is as follows:

 

Level 1 100%

 

Level 2 105%

 

Level 3 110%

 

Level 4 115% (up to and including 2 July 2026); 120% (from 3 July 2026)

 

44.2.2 In order to calculate a percentage increase to a FVR Wage Level expressed in Part B Monetary Rates Table 1 Wages:

 

Level 1. Take the current year non-Fire Equipment Allowance (FEA) wage rate and multiply by the annual percentage wage increase. This new rate is A in Table 1. For the FEA rate (see Table 3), take A and add the new FEA rate. This new rate is AA in Table 1.

 

Level 2. Take wage rate A in Table 1 and multiply by 105%. This rate is B in Table 1. For the FEA rate, take B and add the new FEA rate. This new rate is BB in Table 1.

 

Level 3. Take wage rate A in Table 1 and multiply by 110%. This rate is C in Table 1. For the FEA rate, take C and add the new FEA rate. This new rate is CC in Table 1.

 

Level 4. Take wage rate A in Table 1 and multiply by 115% (up to and including 2 July 2026); 120% (from 3 July 2026). This rate is D in Table 1. For the FEA rate, take D and add the new FEA rate. This new rate is DD in Table 1.

 

44.3     Calculation Methodology – Rescue Equipment Technician (RET)

 

44.3.1 The relativity of each RET Classification Level to the weekly wage is expressed in Clause 10 Classification Structure and Labour Flexibility and is as follows:

 

Level 1 100%

 

Level 2 105%

 

Level 3 110%

 

Level 4 115% (3 July 2024-2 July 2026); 120% (from 3 July 2026)

 

44.3.2 In order to calculate a percentage increase to a RET Wage Level expressed in Part B Monetary Rates Table 1 Wages:

 

Level 1. Take the current year non-Fire Equipment Allowance (FEA) wage rate and multiply by the annual percentage wage increase. This new rate is A in Table 1. For the FEA rate (see Table 3), take A and add the new FEA rate. This new rate is AA in Table 1.

 

Level 2. Take wage rate A in Table 1 and multiply by 105%. This rate is B in Table 1. For the FEA rate, take B and add the new FEA rate. This new rate is BB in Table 1.

 

Level 3. Take wage rate A in Table 1 and multiply by 110%. This rate is C in Table 1. For the FEA rate, take C and add the new FEA rate. This new rate is CC in Table 1.

 

Level 4. Take wage rate A in Table 1 and multiply by 115% (3 July 2024-2 July 2026); 120% (from 3 July 2026). This rate is D in Table 1. For the FEA rate, take D and add the new FEA rate. This new rate is DD in Table 1.

 

44.4     From 3 July 2026, the Fire Equipment Allowance is abolished and no longer forms part of the calculation methodology for FVR and RET wage rates. From that date, only the applicable classification relativity prescribed at clause 10 shall apply.

 

45.  Area, Incidence and Duration

 

45.1     The Crown Employees (Fire and Rescue NSW Tradespersons) Award 2024 rescinds and replaces the Crown Employees (Fire & Rescue NSW Tradespersons) Award 2022 published 19 November (390 I.G. 1037).

 

45.2     Historically rates of pay and wage related allowances expressed in the Crown Employees (New South Wales Fire Brigades - Maintenance, Construction and Miscellaneous Staff) Award have had a nexus with the Crown Employees Wages Staff (Rates of Pay) Award and its successors.  However, after the date of the making of the Crown Employees (Fire & Rescue NSW Tradespersons) Award 2012 this nexus ceased.

 

45.3     This Award shall apply to all Employees in the classifications specified in Part B, Monetary Rates, Table 1 - Wages in the employment of Fire and Rescue NSW.

 

45.4     The term of this Award is 3 July 2024 until 2 July 2027 and will remain in force thereafter until rescinded.

 

45.5     Increases in the columns dated 3 July 2023 and 1 July 2024 expressed in Tables 1, 2 and 3 shall apply on and from the first full pay period to commence on or after the identified date.

 

45.6     The rates for 2022 in Tables 1, 2 and 3 are for historical purposes.

 


 

 

PART B

 

MONETARY RATES

 

Table 1 - Wages

 

Classifications from the Crown Employees (New South Wales Fire Brigades - Maintenance, Construction and Miscellaneous Staff) Award

 

Fire Vehicle Repairer

Level

Classification

3/7/2023 Historical

 

(not including

Clause 19. FEA)

3/7/2023 Historical

 

(including Clause 19. FEA)

3/7/2024 (+4.00%)

 

(not including Clause 19. FEA)

3/7/2024

(+4.00%)

 

(including Clause 19. FEA)

3/7/2025 (+7.00%)

 

(not including Clause 19. FEA)

3/7/2025

(+7.00%)

 

(including Clause 19. FEA)

3/7/2026 (+7.00%)

 

(not including Clause 19. FEA)

Level 1

Fire Vehicle Repairer

A –

1370.70

AA –

1462.90

A –

1425.50

AA –

1521.40

A –

1525.30

AA –

1627.90

A –

1632.10

Level 2

Fire Vehicle Repairer

B –

1439.20

BB –

1531.40

B –

1496.80

BB –

1597.50

B –

1601.60

BB –

1709.30

B –

1713.70

Level 3

Fire Vehicle Repairer

C –

1507.80

CC –

1600.00

C –

1568.10

CC –

1673.50

C –

1677.80

CC –

1790.70

C –

1795.30

Level 4

Fire Vehicle Repairer

D –

1576.30

DD –

1668.50

D –

1639.30

DD –

1749.60

D –

1745.10

DD –

1872.10

D –

1958.50

Apprentices

3/07/2023 Historical rate

$

3/07/2024

4.00%

Increase

$

3/07/2025

7.00%

Increase

$

3/07/2026

7.00%

Increase

(not including NT FEA)

$

- 1st year

548.90

570.90

610.90

653.70

- 2nd year

(Rate = 2nd Year + NT FEA)**

790.40

822

879.50

881.80*

- 3rd year

(Rate = 3rd Year + NT FEA)**

993.30

1033

1105.30

1108.20*

- 4th year

(Rate = 4th Year + NT FEA)**

1134.70

1180.10

1262.70

1269.10

Adult

(Rate = Adult + NT FEA)**

1134.70

1180.10

1262.70

1269.10

 

* Rate operative from 3 July 2026 includes a one-off adjustment to ensure no reduction in remuneration following the abolition of the Fire Equipment Allowance.

 

** inclusive in rate after 12 months continuous service an apprentice receives the (Non Trades Staff) Fire

 

Equipment Allowance.

 

Rescue Equipment Technician

Level

Classification

3/7/2024

 

(not including RET FEA)

3/7/2024

 

(including RET FEA)

3/7/2025 (+7.00%)

 

(not including RET FEA)

3/7/2025

(+7.00%)

 

(including RET FEA)

3/7/2026 (+7.00%)

 

(not including RET FEA)

Level 1

Rescue Equipment Technician

A –

1389.90

AA –

1483.40

A –

1487.20

AA –

1587.20

A –

1591.30

Level 2

Rescue Equipment Technician

B –

1459.40

BB –

1557.60

B –

1561.60

BB –

1666.60

B –

1670.90

Level 3

Rescue Equipment Technician

C –

1528.90

CC –

1631.70

C –

1635.90

CC –

1745.90

C –

1750.40

Level 4

Rescue Equipment Technician

D –

1598.40

DD –

1705.90

D –

1710.30

DD –

1825.30

D –

1909.60

 

Increases shall apply on and from the first full pay period to commence on or after the dates expressed in the tables.

 

Table 2 - Other Rates and Allowances

 

From the Crown Employees (New South Wales Fire Brigades - Maintenance, Construction and Miscellaneous Staff) Award

 

Item

Clause 11,

3/7/2023

3/7/2024

3/7/2025

3/7/2026

 

Additional Wage Rates

Historical Rate

4.00% increase

7.00% increase

7.00% increase

 

 

$

$

$

$

1

12.1 Electricians:

An electrician who is the holder of A Grade

Licence (per week)

54.91

57.10

 

61.10

 

65.40

 

 

 

 

 

B Grade Licence (per week)

29.74

30.90

33.10

35.40

2

20.10 Roof work (per hour)

1.08

1.12

1.20

1.28

 

Increases shall apply on and from the first full pay period to commence on or after the dates expressed in the tables.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 3 – Allowances

 

From NSW Fire Brigades Maintenance and Miscellaneous Staff Enterprise Agreement 2008

 

Item

ALLOWANCES

3/07/2023

3/07/2024

3/07/2025

3/07/2026

 

 

Historical Rate

4.00% increase

7.00% increase

7.00% increase

 

 

$

$

$

$

1

Team Leader Allowance (per week)

206.13

214.40

229.40

245.50

2

Heavy Vehicle Inspectors Allowance (per day)

2.54

2.64

2.82

3.02

 

Table 3A: On Call Allowance

 

Item

ALLOWANCES

3/07/2023

1/07/2024

1/07/2025

1/07/2026

 

 

Historical Rate

4.00% increase

7.00% increase

7.00% increase

 

 

$

$

$

$

1

On Call Allowance - Monday to Friday (per day)

24.43

25.41

27.19

29.09

2

On Call Allowance - Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays (per day)

37.77

39.28

42.03

44.97

 

Table 3B: On Call Allowance applicable only to FVRs

 

Item

ALLOWANCES

3/07/2023

1/07/2024

1/07/2025

1/07/2026

 

 

Historical Rate

4.00% increase

7.00% increase

7.00% increase

 

 

$

$

$

$

1

On Call Allowance - Monday to Friday (per day)

44.72

46.52

49.78

53.26

2

On Call Allowance - Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays (per day)

89.49

93.07

99.58

106.55

 


 

 

Item

Clause 12, SPECIAL RATES

3/07/2023

1/07/2024

1/07/2025

1/07/2026

 

 

Historical Rate

4.00% increase

7.00% increase

7.00% increase

 

 

Per hour

$

Per hour

$

Per hour

$

Per hour

$

1

20.1.1 Confined Spaces

1.08

1.12

1.20

1.28

2

20.3.1 Height Pay - 7.5 metres

1.02

1.06

1.13

1.21

3

20.3.1 Height Pay - every metre beyond 7.5m

0.31

0.32

0.34

0.36

 

Increases shall apply on and from the first full pay period to commence on or after the dates expressed in the tables.

 

 

Item

Clause 17, TOOL ALLOWANCES

3/07/2023

3/07/2024

3/07/2025

3/07/2026

 

 

Historical Rate

 3.8% increase

2.3% increase

4.4% increase

 

 

$

 

$

$

1

Bodymaker

35.40

36.70

37.50

39.20

2

Motor Mechanic

35.40

36.70

37.50

39.20

3

Painter (Vehicle)

8.70

9.00

9.20

9.60

4

Panel Beater

35.40

36.70

37.50

39.20

5

Automotive Electrician

35.40

36.70

37.50

39.20

6

Electronic Technician

22.10

22.90

23.40

24.40

7

Instrument Maker

22.10

22.90

23.40

24.40

8

Radio Mechanic

22.10

22.90

23.40

24.40

9

Telephone Mechanic

22.10

22.90

23.40

24.40

10

Fitter

35.40

36.70

37.50

39.20

11

Electronic Tradesperson

22.10

22.90

23.40

24.40

Item

Apprentices

3/07/2023

3/07/2024

3/07/2024

3/07/2026

 

 

Historical Rate

3.8% increase

2.3% increase

4.4% increase

 

 

$

$

$

$

1

Motor Mechanic

35.40

36.70

37.50

39.20

2

Automotive Electrician

35.40

36.70

37.50

39.20

3

Fitter

35.40

36.70

37.50

39.20

4

Electronic Technician

22.10

22.90

23.40

24.40

 

Increases in the Tool Allowance will be based upon the Sydney Consumer Price Index for March of each year. These amounts will be administratively adjusted in accordance with the applicable increase.

 

 

Item

Clause 19, FIRE EQUIPMENT ALLOWANCE

3/7/2023

3/07/2024

3/07/2025

 

 

Historical Rate

4.00% increase

7.00% increase

 

 

 

Per week

Per week

Per week

 

 

$

$

$

1

Fire Equipment Allowance (FEA) - Trades**

92.20

95.90

102.60

2

Fire Equipment Allowance (FEA) - Non Trades**

68.80

71.60

76.60

3

Fire Equipment Allowance (FEA) – RETs **

Nil.

93.30

99.80

 

** At the completion of 12 months continuous service

 

Increases shall apply on and from the first full pay period to commence on or after the dates expressed in the tables.

 

Item

Clause 20 TEST AND TAG ALLOWANCE

3/7/2024

3/07/2025

3/07/2026

 

 

Current 

7.00% increase

7.00% increase

 

 

 

Per week

Per week

Per week

 

 

$

$

$

1

Test and Tag Allowance

6

6.40

6.80

 

Item

Clause 23, MEAL ALLOWANCE *

3/07/2023

3/07/2024

3/07/2025

3/07/2026

 

 

Historical Rate

3.8% increase  

2.3% increase

4.4% increase

 

 

Per Meal

Per Meal

Per Meal

Per Meal

 

 

$

$

$

$

1

After 1½ hour overtime

17.00

17.65

18.06

18.85

2

Each 4 hours thereafter

14.60

15.15

15.50

16.18

 

Item

Clause 24, TRAVELLING TIME AND OTHER FARES *

3/07/2023

3/07/2024

3/07/2025

3/07/2026

 

 

Historical Rate

3.8% increase  

2.3% increase

4.4% increase

1

Other than Builders’ Labourers

27.49

28.53

29.19

30.47

2

Employer providing transport

10.95

11.37

11.63

12.14

 

Item

Clause 33, INSURANCE OF TOOLS *

3/07/2023

3/07/2024

3/07/2025

3/07/2026

 

 

Historical Rate

3.8% increase  

2.3% increase

4.4% increase

1

Maximum claim for loss of tools

2049.00

2126.86

2175.78

2271.52

 

* Increases in the Meal Allowance, Travelling Time and Other Fares, and Insurance of Tools will be based upon the Sydney Consumer Price Index for March each year. These amounts will be administratively adjusted in accordance with the applicable increase.

 

Table 4 – Travelling Expenses

 

Effective 1 July 2024

 

Item No

Description

Amount

1

Meal expenses on one day journeys

 

 

Capital cities and high cost country centres

(see list in item 2)

 

 

Breakfast

$33.90

 

Dinner

$64.95

 

Lunch

$38.10

 

Tier 2 and other country centres  (see list in item 2)

 

 

Breakfast

$30.35

 

Dinner

$59.75

 

Lunch

$34.65

 

 

 

2

Travelling allowances

 

 

Capital cities

Per day  (inclusive of accommodation, meals and incidental expenses allowance)

 

Adelaide

 $318.90 

 

Brisbane

 $341.90

 

Canberra

 $338.90

 

Darwin

 $380.90 

 

Hobart

 $336.90

 

Melbourne

 $333.90

 

Perth

 $340.90

 

Sydney

 $358.90

 

 

 

 

High cost country centres

Per day (inclusive of accommodation, meals and incidental expenses allowance)

 

Armidale (NSW)

 $326.90 

 

Bourke (NSW)

 $344.90  

 

Broken Hill (NSW)

 $321.90  

 

Dubbo (NSW)

 $330.90  

 

Goulburn (NSW)

 $325.90  

 

Gosford (NSW)

 $321.90  

 

Grafton (NSW)

 $329.90  

 

Griffith (NSW)

 $319.90  

 

Gunnedah (NSW)

 $327.90  

 

Halls Creek (WA)

 $330.90  

 

Lismore (NSW)

 $323.90  

 

Maitland (NSW)

 $347.90  

 

Mudgee (NSW)

 $348.90  

 

Muswellbrook (NSW)

 $317.90  

 

Newcastle (NSW)

 $355.90  

 

Norfolk Island (NSW)

 $363.90  

 

Northam (WA)

 $374.90  

 

Nowra (NSW)

 $328.90  

 

Orange (NSW)

 $362.90  

 

Port Macquarie (NSW)

 $350.90  

 

Wagga Wagga (NSW)

 $337.90  

 

Wollongong (NSW)

 $341.90 

 

Tier 2 country centres

Per day (inclusive of accommodation, meals and incidental expenses allowance)

 

Albury (NSW)

$303.70

 

Bathurst (NSW)

$303.70

 

Bega (NSW)

$303.70

 

Cobar (NSW)

$303.70

 

Coffs Harbour (NSW)

$303.70

 

Cooma (NSW)

$303.70

 

Cowra (NSW)

$303.70

 

Inverell (NSW)

$303.70

 

Narrabri (NSW)

$303.70

 

Queanbeyan (NSW)

$303.70

 

Tamworth (NSW)

$303.70

 

Taree (NSW) 

$303.70

 

Tumut (NSW)

$303.70

 

 

 

 

Other country centres

$289.70

 

 

 

 

Incidental expenses when claiming actual expenses - all locations

$23.95

 

 

 

 

Daily allowance payable after 35 days and up to 6 months in the same location - all locations

50% of the appropriate location rate

 

 

 

 

Incidental expenses

$23.95

 

 

____________________

 

 

Printed by the authority of the Industrial Registrar.

 

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