District Allowance adjustments

The Department of Commerce has written to your us advising that it has finally calculated the 2013 District Allowance rates. 

The 2013 Regional Price Index (RPI) survey, which is used to adjust the rates, has revealed changes to the cost of living across the state. The information we’ve received from Commerce indicates that Broome, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Esperance, Jerramungup and areas of the Great Southern outside the District Allowance exclusion zone will consequently receive some increase in their District Allowances. Other areas will experience reductions, some of which will be significant.

We are double checking the calculations that produced the rates provided by Commerce to ensure they are accurate and consistent with the District Allowances (Government Officers) General Agreement. The re-checking process may result in further changes to the rates. Any figures currently circulating should therefore not be viewed as final.

Once the District Allowances rates are finalised we will post them here.

Where District Allowance rates do go up, the increases will be backdated to 1 July 2013.

Where District Allowance rates drop, the reductions will not be imposed retrospectively. Where decreases are significant, Commerce is proposing a phased reduction for existing employees. We will be having further conversations with Commerce to determine how best to limit the impact of these reductions on our members.

A further update will be provided to members in the coming weeks. More detailed information about the Regional Price Index can be found via the Department of Regional Development Statistics page