Rank Retention and Completion Bonus offer deadline is 30 Jun 08

Reference:
A. PACMAN vol 1, chap 3, part 5, div 19 - AERRCB

1. Ref a, para 3.5.188.3 states 'a member may not accept the offer of a retention bonus under this division after 30 Jun 08, unless permitted by a decision under para 1.c.'

2. Para (3.5.188)1.c. authorises a CO/OC/ACO to extend a member's acceptance period due to circumstances which are considered reasonable. An extension to the 30 June deadline can only be approved after a member has been issued the bonus offer.

THE ABOVE INFORMATION MAY CONFLICT WITH PREDATED INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THE FAQ SECTION ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES.

WHERE CONFLICT ARISES, THE ABOVE POLICY TAKES PRECEDENCE

QUERIES TO DMPA-A POC: (02) 626 65024

DMPA-A

General

 
If you have a question on AERRCB/CECRB you would like answered, please use your Chain of Command. If the Chain of Command cannot answer your questions, they will forward them to DMPA-A (insert 'AERRCB/CECRB QUERY - plus member's particulars' on subject line) to seek resolution.

Q1. What provisions are being made for those personnel on deployment, especially those who deploy individually and may not have ready access to administrative support or email?

A. For those members in this situation, the Authority Message (offer) will be sent to your posted unit. Your Australian based CO/OC or Administrative Commanding Officer (ACO) will forward your offer to your Deployment CO/OC who will assume responsibility for the process.

If you are not contactable, you will receive your offer on your return to Australia. You will then be given 90 days to respond from the date you receive your offer.

Our intent is to make sure all members deployed are provided the opportunity to accept the bonus whilst deployed, this will allow those members deployed under warlike conditions to receive their bonus tax free.

Q2. How will I be able accept the offer?

A. The Member's Guide (the offer) contains advice on entitlements and guidance for completion of the checklists, undertaking forms and payment option forms. Your administration staff can assist you to complete the forms correctly.

Members will be given 90 days to accept an offer. Units will be responsible to enter acceptance into PMKeyS Employee Checklist.

Q3. When does my obligation to serve an additional 12 months (AERRB) / 2 years (CECRB) commence?

A. For members entitled to the $10k AERRB it will be IAW PACMAN vol 1, chap 3, part 5, div 19, clause 3.5.189 - Payment of the retention bonus.

For CECR Bonus it will be IAW PACMAN vol 1, chap 3, part 5, div 20, clause 3.5.200 - Payment of the retention bonus.

Both these references can be found on the 'Pay and Conditions' and 'Stay Army' web pages.

Q4. If I elect to remove myself from either scheme will I have to repay any of, or the entire bonus?

A. YES. If a member elects to withdraw from any of the schemes, for reasons within their control, they will be required to make a pro-rata payment back to government. The pro-rata amount will be at the pre-taxed rate.

All members are encouraged to seek financial advice when considering whether to accept a bonus or not.

Q5. If a member is MEC 3, and undergoing a period of rehabilitation that may or may not result in their continued service, should they be made an offer now or do units wait until their circumstances change (either way)?

A. MEC 3 members undergoing rehabilitation should not be restricted from receiving the bonus as they are still serving and could serve for another twelve months. Should discharge occur prior to 28 Feb 09 as a result of a MECRB, they will not be required to pay back any of the $10k.

Q6. If a member is MEC3 or MEC4 about to undergo a MECRB, should they be made an offer?

A. If a member is about to proceed to MECRB, their offer should be 'held in abeyance' until the MECRB decision is handed down. If they are upgraded they will be able to receive the bonus. The Defence Determination makes allowances for late submissions. If a Discharge order is issued, they will not be entitled to receive the offer.

Q7. Will a member currently under a Notice to Show Cause (NTSC) for discharge or reduction be offered the AERR bonus? If a member is under a formal Warning or Censure (eg, performance, alcohol, fitness, etc) will they be offered the bonus?

A. In the case of NTSC where discharge or reduction may result, the offer will be ' held in abeyance' by the CO/OC/ACO until a decision to discharge, reduce the member in rank or retain in the service has been made. The member will not be eligible to receive a bonus offer if discharge is ordered or they are reduced to a rank that is not eligible for a bonus offer (eg, to LCPL or LT). If a member is reduced to a rank that is eligible for a bonus offer (ie, reduced from LTCOL, MAJ, WO2 or SGT to one rank lower), they remain eligible for a bonus offer.

In the second circumstance, the member is to be offered the bonus. If they are subsequently issued a NTSC for discharge or reduction which results in discharge or reduction in rank in the initial 12 months Retention period, they will be required to make a pro-rata payment back to government for the period they have not completed.

RELATING TO AERRC

Q8. Can I elect to remove myself from the Army Completion Bonus Scheme - Various Pay Categories of 2006 and elect to receive the Army Expansion and Rank Retention and Completion Bonus?

A. No, under PACMAN vol 1, chap 3, part 5, div 19, clause 3.5.186.b. a member is not eligible to accept an AERRCB if that member has undertaken to perform a period of service for the purpose of a bonus payment under PACMAN vol 1, chap 3, part 5, div 7.

Q9. What makes someone an eligible member? Do you just need to be a CPL/SGT or CAPT/MAJ or is it trade specific? If eligible, how do I apply or will eligible members be notified?

A. The AERRC Bonus does not relate to trade specific. The bonus is for CPLs and SGTs who have completed two years continuous ARA/CFTS in worn rank and for CAPTs and MAJs who have completed three years continuous ARA/CFTS in worn rank as at 1 Mar 07 or 1 Mar 08. Unfortunately those members on a higher temporary rank (WO2 or LTCOL) do not qualify for the bonus in their substantive rank.

Unit CO/OC/ACO or administration staff will advise and process member's applications.

Q10. Has any consideration been made for those members who were promoted to SGT at the beginning of 2007 or CAPTs and MAJs who were promoted at the beginning of 2006?
A. CA understands the disappointment some soldiers and officers will face as a result of the rank retention initiatives. Pers Branch worked very hard leading up to 15 Dec 06 to develop an inclusive package of Army retention and recruitment initiatives for government approval. Some of Army's initiatives were agreed at Cabinet level and some were not. Army will continue to push those parts of the program that did not get up first time.

Q11. I was a CPL or SGT prior to changing employment category and am now a CPL or SGT again. Am I entitled to a bonus?

A. Only if you have worn your rank for a continuous period of two years as at 01 Mar 08. The qualifying period may also be served at a higher rank (eg, SGT reverts to CPL).

Q12. I was a CPL or SGT previously, have changed employment category prior to the bonus dates and am now a PTE. Am I entitled to a bonus?

A. NO.

Q13. Can those on MSBS Benefit take this benefit as well? What is the impact of ROSO if the MSBS retention benefit has already been taken?

A. A member on MSBS will only be entitled to receive the$10k Retention bonus offer. Members currently undertaking an MSBS UFFS will not be entitled to the Completion bonus of $30k for three years additional service.

If a member elects to take the Retention bonus, they are to complete the 12 months ROSO on completion of their MSBS UFFS.

Q14. Can a member who is not yet eligible for the MSBS benefit take this benefit and then take the MSBS benefit when eligible?

A. YES. A member who will become eligible for the MSBS Retention bonus remains eligible to receive the AERR bonus offer. The Completion bonus undertaking is not binding and a member may choose to transfer to the MSBS Retention bonus when eligible.

Members who transfer to a MSBS Retention benefit will not be entitled to the AERR Completion bonus of $30k for three years additional service.

Q15. Will a period of Higher Duties Allowance (HDA) be considered as time in rank for the AERRC Bonus?

A. NO, the bonus is based on worn rank (ie, temporary, provisional or substantive). Receipt of Higher Duties Allowance (HDA) DOES NOT count as time in rank.

Q16. IAW PACMAN vol 1, chap 3, part 5, div 19, clause 3.5.183.2a, 'a period of acting rank performed just before the period the member was promoted to that substantive rank' counts as 'time in rank' for the required two or three years. What is meant by the term 'acting rank?'

A. The referenced term 'acting rank' has caused some confusion when trying to determine AERRCB eligibility. The term 'acting rank'' is used for ADFPAY where members can only be recorded and paid for Substantive or Acting (ie, Temporary or Provisional) rank.

Acting rank does not include members posted to a higher rank position nor performing the duties of a superior in their absence.

Q17. Will an offer be made to members who are on a Critical Skills Waiver (CSW) that expires during the undertaking for further service period (ie, after 01 Mar 08)?

A. YES. A member will be eligible to receive an offer however, they must apply (prior to accepting a bonus offer) for a Critical Skills Waiver (CSW) extension to cover the period of service required for the Completion and/or Retention Bonus.

Q18. Will an offer be made to members who will reach Compulsory Retiring Age (CRA), or whose Fixed Period of Service (FPS) will cease, during the undertaking for further service period(s)?

A. YES. A such members will be eligible to receive an offer however, they must apply (prior to accepting a bonus offer) to have their CRA or FPS extended to cover the period of service required for the Completion and/or Retention Bonus.

Q19. If a member who has received the $10k Retention bonus is promoted during the 3 year completion period, does that soldier lose the entitlement to receive the $30k Completion bonus?

A. NO, they are still eligible. The completion period undertaking can be served in the rank the member is in, or a higher rank.

Q20. If a member is promoted within the target ranks at any time during their 4 years undertaking, or even promoted outside of the target rank (ie, WO2 or LTCOL), do they still remain eligible for the scheme?

A. YES they will remain eligible. The retention and completion period undertakings can be served in the rank the member is in, or a higher rank.

Q21. If a member is promoted to SGT, WO2, MAJ or LTCOL during the period 02 Mar 08 -28 Feb 09, will they be entitled to the bonus for the eligible worn rank they held on 01 Mar 08.

A. YES.

Q22. I am a lateral transfer and have not served the required 2 or 3 years time in rank and service (ie, ARA) as at 01 Mar 08, however my PMKeyS cohort/seniority date gives me a promotion date which satisfies the time in rank requirement. Am I eligible for the AERRC bonus?

A. NO. All lateral transfers must satisfy the time in rank and service criteria as at 01 Mar 08. Cohort or seniority is not a factor that determines eligibility.

Q23. If I currently have an MSBS UFFS do I need to complete Part C of the AERRC determination?

A. NO.

Q24. Can I sign up for the Retention bonus only?
A. YES, see question 13 above. There is no requirement for members currently serving an MSBS UFFS to complete the Undertaking to serve an additional 3 years. Members who do not have a MSBS UFFS must complete both the retention and completion undertakings.

Q25. I am an Administrative Commanding Officer (ACO) and eligible for the AERRC bonus, who is my approving authority?

A. The Senior Area Army Representative is to act as the 'CO' for an ACO if that member is identified as being potentially eligible for the AERRC bonus.

Q26. The offer package indicates that BOTH the Retention AND Completion Bonus undertakings must be accepted, yet the PACMAN lists the acceptance of both components as a requisite for only the Completion component (ie, completion undertaking is not a pre-requisite for the Retention component). Which one is correct?

A. The offer packages support the PACMAN. The AERRC bonus Scheme is looking for people to sign on for an additional four years. There are two elements to the bonus. To receive the Completion element of the bonus, you must have received the Retention element of the bonus. Members on a current MSBS UFFS are not eligible for the completion element and are not required to complete the undertaking for Completion Bonus. We accept that there will be some members who may not complete the additional 3 years because of personal or service reasons.

Q27. I am currently on PTLWOP working 7/14. Am I entitled to the Retention Bonus and Completion Bonus?

A. YES, a member may be on PTLWOP, or any other type of non-effective service, and it will not affect the amount of time required for the member to complete the required period of service (1 year), unless it is related to MSBS or a ROSO.

The completion bonus is affected if a member proceeds on PTLWOP during the 3 year Completion period. PACMAN vol 1, chap 3, part 5, div 19, clause 3.5.185.3. refers.

Q28. I am a CPL or SGT undertaking a Corps Transfer or panelled on a course which will result in my reduction in rank. Am I entitled to the AERRC bonus?
A. NO. When you commence a course or are panelled for a course you have acknowledged that at the end of the course you will revert in rank. You have, for all intents and purposes, left or are about to leave the rank the government is looking at retaining.
Exception: If a member reverts to a rank that is eligible for a bonus offer (ie, reverts to MAJ, CAPT, SGT or CPL), they remain eligible for a bonus offer.

Q29. What if I fail the course and am returned to my previous posting in my current rank?

A. You will be eligible to receive the offer only if your PMKeyS record indicates that you failed or failed to complete the course on or before 28 Feb 09.

Q30. I am due for promotion and will have to complete a designated 12 month period of ROSO. When does this ROSO occur?

A. A promotion ROSO is undertaken concurrently with the 1 year retention or 3 year completion undertaking for further service. A training ROSO is to be completed consecutively to the AERRC ROSO. A training ROSO is to be served before a bonus ROSO.

RELATING TO CECR

Q31. What current trades are in the "Critical Trades" category?

A. The trades listed below were identified as critical by the Army Personnel Working Group on 13 Feb 07 and are eligible for the CECR Bonus on and from 01 Mar 07:

• ECN 270 Plant Operator.
• ECN 377 Supervisor Civil.
• ECN 269 Operator Petroleum.
• ECN 273 Operator Electronic Warfare.

The trades listed below were approved by CA for inclusion in the scheme on and from 01 May 08:

• ECN 002 - Linguist Intelligence Special Duties.
• ECN 008 - Artificer Avionics.
• ECN 412 - Technician Avionics.
• ECN 418 - Technician Electrical.
• ECN 421 - Technician Electronic.