2/02 Stipends, Allowances and Benefits
(A report of 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 2004, the present members being -
Mr R Bradfield Mr D S Marr
Bishop G Davies Mr D Mitchell
The Rev N Foord Mr T Muir
Mr P Gerber The Rev C W Roberts
Mrs N Gupta The Rev C S Sheehan
The Rev A E Hamilton The Rev Z Veron
Mr S Lindemann The Rev S Willis
3. During the year Mrs D Galea and Mr C Lees resigned from the Committee. The Committee gives thanks to God for their valuable contribution and years of faithful service.
4. The circular to ministers and churchwardens entitled "Guidelines for the Remuneration of Parish Ministry Staff for 2003" (the "Stipends Circular") was published in November last year and provides details of the stipends, allowances and benefits for ministers, assistant ministers and lay ministers in the current calendar year.
Minimum Stipends
5. Stipends are reviewed annually on the recommendation of the Committee. The minimum stipends for 2003 are -
% of
Minister's Minimum
Minimum Stipend
Stipend $ pa
Minister 100 39,622
Assistant Ministers & Lay Ministers
...... First and second year 85 33,679
...... Third and fourth year 90 35,660
...... Fifth and subsequent years 95 37,641
6. For the current year the Standing Committee approved the minimum stipend for a minister based on the applicable figure for 2002, plus 3%. This increase is somewhat less than the figure recommended by the Committee which was based on the previous benchmark of 80% of the male average weekly ordinary time earnings in New South Wales as published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
7. Notwithstanding this change, the Standing Committee adopted the principle that average weekly earnings continue for the time being to be the basis on which changes in the minimum stipend are calculated and requested that the Committee report to the Standing Committee on alternative methods of determining minimum stipends. The Committee has not yet finalised its report.
Remuneration Packaging
8. Under these arrangements a minister may sacrifice up to 30% of their stipend to be paid into a ministerial expense account (AMEA@). 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
9. Contributions on account of superannuation for ministers and assistant ministers are provided by the parish ministry and property allocations through the Synod Appropriations and Allocations Ordinance. Superannuation for lay ministers is a separate charge. The annual contributions for 2002 are -
Superannuation
Contribution
$ pa
Minister 6,744
Assistant Ministers and Lay Ministers with 7 or more
years experience 6,744
Other Assistant Ministers and Lay Ministers 6,070
Travelling Allowances/Benefits
10. 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 2003 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.
11. Travel benefits may be provided through an MEA in lieu of a travel allowance in accordance with the guidelines published in the Stipends Circular.
Remuneration for Occasional Services
12. The recommended rates for clergy who take occasional services in 2003 are -
$
For 1 service 70
For 2 or more services in a half day 90
For a whole day 135
13. 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
14. The recommended daily rate for remuneration of acting ministers and locum tenens is $135 for 2003. In addition, an adequate amount to reimburse for travelling costs must be paid.
Part-Time Pastoral Workers
15. 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 $135 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
16. The recommended assistance for student ministers for 2003 is -
$ pa
Full day only 4,953
If a student minister works more than 1 full day then the rate payable is pro-rata the
full day rate.
17. 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) 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) Superannuation contributions are payable if the remuneration exceeds $450 per month.
For and on behalf of the Stipends and Allowances Committee
MARTIN THEARLE
Secretary
19 August 2003