Confused about the locality allowances?
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 124 No 2, 15 March 2019, page no. 27
Teachers working in certain rural and remote areas are eligible for locality allowances if they are based in centres named in the locality allowance public sector directive.
An eligible employee is paid:
- the full rate of locality allowance for the centre, if the employee satisfies the chief executive that he or she has a dependent spouse, dependent de facto spouse or dependent child
- one-half of the full rate of locality allowance for the centre, if the employee does not have a dependent spouse, dependent de facto spouse or dependent child.
It is important to note that there is a time limit on claims. The directive 16/18 “Locality allowances” states: “Without the approval of the chief executive, a claim shall not be paid unless it is submitted within 12 months:
- of the date of completion of the work, or
- the incurring of the expense, or
- the conclusion of the circumstances leading to the claim.”
Departmental processes
The Department of Education (DoE) process is to automatically pay eligible employees the half rate, or “single” rate (to minimise overpayments). If you are entitled to the full allowance, or “family” rate, the department has indicated that you must complete a locality allowance declaration form. Obviously, this only works if you are getting timely notification. The department has advised the QTU that the change to the half rate will be undertaken during term one and communication sent to schools to remind employees to complete the form if they are eligible for the full rate.
The QTU will confirm with payroll what communication is sent to schools in term one of each year. The Union is committed to working with the DoE to ensure adequate and timely notice to employees of their entitlement to the appropriate level of locality allowance.