1. Has the Minister claimed that additional benefits worth $15,000.00 per annum are paid to teachers in remote areas; if so, what are the details of those benefits.

ANSWER

A number of benefits are available to teachers in remote areas of the Northern Territory to encourage them to take up these postings. The benefits are provided to all eligible teachers who wish to take advantage of them.

Below is a list of available benefits. Where possible, approximate dollar values have been assigned.

Incentive Entitlement $ Value

Fares Out of 2 FOILs per year to either Darwin or Alice Springs.
Isolated (*Value given is based on Nhulunbuy-Darwin return)
Localities
(FOIL fares) 900 p.a.*

Accommodation 3 days payable in conjunction with each
Allowance FOIL fare. Total - 6 days per year. 427 p.a.

Subsidised Furnished accommodation provided. )
Housing )
Furniture/removal expenses paid on )approx.
transfer/appointment )10 000
)
Payment of storage for furniture and household )
effects whilst in remote community )

Minimum rents charged: currently $25 per week.
(Note that the standard of accommodation varies
and rent charges are under review by the
Commissioner for Public Employment.) Based on
Housing Commission rental of a 3 bedroom house
($125 per week), saving would be - 5200 p.a.

Rental Rebate Between 25-100% (depending on degree of
Scheme remoteness: most schools fall into the 50-100%
category) rebate on completion of each year in
remote community. Using average of 75% (i.e.
teachers pay only 25%), benefit would be - 975 p.a.

Departmental Limited use of Departmental vehicles provided unable to
Vehicle calculate

Special Teacher in Aboriginal schools/special classes 1227 p.a.
Teaching
Allowances Teacher in charge of a one-teacher school with 1974 p.a.
primary classes

Priority Transfer Priority transfer consideration for teachers after unable to
Scheme 3 years' service in remote localities calculate

Special Study 1 semester full paid study leave at NTU (or other
Leave Program approved institution in NT) after accumulation of
20 credit points as determined by locality (e.g. in
most remote locality - 1 semester after 4 years approx
services). 2 semesters after 40 credit points 15 000 p.a.

Accelerated For neophyte teachers. They may jump from 2nd
Incremental to 4th increment in their salary range if they have
Advancement completed appropriate professional development
and formal study programs 1475 p.a.

Household Reimbursement of difference between cost of
Insurance insurance premium in urban area and cost in approx
remote locality. Up to $300 p.a. 150 p.a.

Staff Priority to remote teachers for in-services unable to
Development calculate

Family Assist- Employees living in remote localities attending
ance during urban in-service or professional development
Professional programs are entitled to bring their family on one
Development occasion per year. Cost of the travel is borne by
the Department 1300 p.a.

Freight Freight paid by Department for perishable foodstuffs
Allowance (up to 23 kg per week for teacher with dependants).
Approximately $38 per week (varies according to approx
carrier charges). Full entitlement is for 52 weeks per year 1970 p.a.

Special Special leave on full pay may be granted for up to
Travel 1.5 days prior to the close of business on the last
Time day of school in order to catch connecting flights approx
to holiday destinations 245 p.a.

Free Average amount paid by Department for each
Electricity dwelling in remote localities 1230 p.a.

Free Water Paid by Department of Lands, Housing and unable to
and Sewerage Local Government calculate

Business Days Able to utilise up to 2 days emergency leave per
year to undertake private business in a larger approx
urban centre 325 p.a.