26. SALARY PACKAGING

26.1Staff in continuing employment or on a fixed-term contract of more than 12 months may negotiate an individual salary package to reduce the cash salary prescribed for the staff member’s classification in Schedule 1 in favour of a mix of benefits and cash salary.

Such a salary package will be set out in an agreement with the University which will specify:

     (a) That the salary for the purposes of superannuation, leave loading, termination payments, redundancy or early retirement benefits, overtime and shift benefits, will be the salary contained in Schedule 1.

     (b)That periods of paid leave will be paid on the reduced cash salary and packaged benefits.

     (c)That the University may elect to discontinue salary packaging, or offer the staff member a new salary package, if legislative or otherchanges increase the cost of salary packaging for the University.

26.2 Benefits available under salary packaging are determined from time to time by the University but may include payment for University car parking, childcare and gymmembership, and the UniSuper employee contribution.  Where the University elects to vary the items which may be offered it will consult with staff directly, and where a staff member chooses with his/her nominated Representative, and with the NTEU before changes to benefits are made. 

26.3 Where a third party administers salary packaging benefits, the University will exercise its best endeavours to avoid or minimise any loss suffered by the staff member as a result of incorrect administration of the scheme by the third party.