Synod in Past Years
>> Ordinary Session 2002

6/01 Stipends, Allowances and Benefits

(A report from the Standing Committee.)

• Introduction
• Minimum Stipends
• Remuneration Packaging
• Superannuation Contributions
• Travelling Allowances/Benefits
• Remuneration for Occasional Services
• Acting Ministers and Locum Tenens
• Part-Time Pastoral Workers
• Male and Female Student Ministers

Introduction

1. The Stipends and Allowances Committee (the "Committee") is appointed by the Synod each year and reports to the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee is directed by resolution 8/81 to report to the Synod all recommendations made by the Committee and the action taken.

2. The re-appointment of the Committee is recommended for 2003, the present members being -

3. During the year Archdeacon D D Nicolios, Deaconess M A Rodgers and Mr R S Dredge resigned from the Committee. The Committee gives thanks to God for their valuable contribution and many years of faithful service. There is currently one vacancy on the Committee.

4. The circular to ministers and churchwardens entitled "Stipends, Allowances and Benefits" (the "Stipends Circular") is published in September or October each year and provides details of the stipends, allowances and benefits for ministers, assistant ministers and lay ministers in the next calendar year.

Minimum Stipends

5. Stipends are reviewed annually on the recommendation of the Committee. The minimum stipends for 2002 are -

6. The minimum stipend for a minister continues to be based on 80% of the male average weekly ordinary time earnings in New South Wales as published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The Committee considers that the male average weekly ordinary time earnings remains the most appropriate indicator by which stipends are revised. The wage cost index published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics continues to be monitored as a possible future indicator for the setting of stipends.

Remuneration Packaging

7. Under these arrangements a minister may sacrifice up to 30% of their stipend to be paid into a ministerial expense account ("MEA"). Certain expenditure can be reimbursed to the minister from the MEA. Benefits received in this way are exempt from fringe benefits tax and income tax.

Superannuation Contributions

8. Contributions on account of superannuation for ministers and assistant ministers are provided by the recoveries of parish ministry/property expenses through the Synod Appropriations Ordinance. Superannuation for lay ministers is a separate charge. The annual contributions for 2002 are -

Travelling Allowances/Benefits

9. On the recommendation of the Car Board, the diocesan scale for the travelling allowance to be paid to ministers, assistant ministers and lay ministers for 2002 is calculated in accordance with the following scale -

A fixed component of $7,457 per annum to cover depreciation, registration, insurance etc plus a reimbursement at the rate of $145 for every 1,000 kilometres travelled by the person concerned on behalf of the church or organisation which he or she serves.

10. Travel benefits may be provided through a ministerial expense account in lieu of a travel allowance in accordance with the guidelines published in the Stipends Circular.

Remuneration for Occasional Services

11. The recommended rates for clergy who take occasional services in 2002 are -

12. The following guidelines also apply in relation to remuneration for occasional services -

(a) If the total return journey of the person taking the occasional service is 75 kilometres or less, a travelling allowance of 65 cents per kilometre must be paid. If further kilometres are travelled, the travel allowance must be negotiated.

(b) Meals should be provided where necessary.

(c) As pension benefits may be reduced according to other income received, the recommended rates are open to negotiation.

(d) Where a minister is invited to take, or assist in, services in a church outside their parochial unit, any payment for services should be made to the parochial unit to which the minister is licensed, rather than to the minister.

Acting Ministers and Locum Tenens

13. The recommended daily rate for remuneration of acting ministers and locum tenens is $130 for 2002. In addition, an adequate amount to reimburse for travelling costs must be paid.

Part-Time Pastoral Workers

14. The Standing Committee has approved the following principles which apply for part-time workers who are remunerated for their services -

(a) Subject to any relevant award, the worker should be paid at the rate of $130 per day.

(b) The worker should be paid a travelling allowance at the rate of 65 cents per kilometre for kilometres travelled in performing their duties.

(c) Other allowances, such as housing, should be provided in appropriate circumstances.

Male and Female Student Ministers

15. The recommended assistance for student ministers for 2002 is -

16. The following guidelines also apply in relation to the remuneration of student ministers -

(a) Transport costs (whether private vehicle or public) should be paid by the parochial unit. Where extensive travel is involved consideration should be given to paying for the travel time.

(b) Where a student minister serves for a half day in addition to a full day, account should be taken of the additional time and cost in travelling and care taken to ensure that the student minister is not disadvantaged by the additional expense.

(c) Appropriate arrangements should be made to ensure student ministers are provided with appropriate hospitality. For example, appropriate breaks should be provided especially in a long working day.

(d) Preparation time adds to the total time incurred in service for the parochial unit and should be allowed for when the amount of payment is considered.

(e) Where it is necessary to determine a daily rate for the payment of a student minister, this rate should be agreed in advance by the parochial unit and the student minister. The daily rate could be determined by dividing an agreed annual rate by the number of agreed working days.

For and on behalf of the Stipends and Allowances Committee

ANDREW SILLAR
Secretary
13 August 2002

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