Bulletin 5 - improved offer for a new Enterprise Agreement

• The new agreement will have a 4-year term that will provide employees with job certainty and secure terms and conditions over this period, including employment security provisions whereby there are no involuntary redundancies for the term of the Agreement.

• A total salary increase of 12% over 4 years (or 12.55% compounding over the term of the Agreement).
• Payment of the first increase backdated to the first pay period to commence on or after 21 August 2026, on the proviso that this offer is accepted at the vote.
• Allowances under the Agreement that are currently adjusted with the Darwin Consumer Price Index (CPI) will continue to increase in line with current provisions. Those that increase in line with the Agreement will continue to increase by the respective annual percentages and allowances that are not currently adjustable (for example, NT allowance) will remain at their current rates.
• Payment of salary and allowance increases (including back payments that might apply) shall only be payable to Dental Officers who are employed on the date of commencement of the new Agreement.

• Improvements to professional Development Reimbursement Payment for Graduate Dentists to be eligible after 6 months of continuous service.
• Further, a Dental Officer will be able to apply for an advance payment where the employee is required to meet substantial costs in advance of an approved professional development activity.
• Professional Development Leave clause has been reworded to improve clarity and readability, including confirming that fixed-term employees engaged on contracts of 6 months or more are eligible to access this leave.
• Through negotiations it was also clarified that Dental Officers also have access to additional support for professional development through By-law 41 – Assistance with Studies, which provides opportunities to access study leave and the reimbursement of approved study-related expenses.

• A new clause to provide dental officers with time off in lieu, where dental officers undertake approved travel to remote communities in the course of their duties.

• Improvements to Higher Duties Allowance to allow Dental Officers who perform higher duties to be paid the allowance upon the completion of one day.

• A new Correctional Facility Allowance of 6.5% of the employee’s base salary paid for hours of duty performed in a Correctional Facility.

Retention and Remote Service Allowance:

• The Retention and Remote Service Allowance has been amended to establish a single entitlement date aligned to the commencement of the Agreement, rather than an employee’s commencement date, which reduces the administrative burden of applying for the allowance and supports a more streamlined payment process.
• Dental officers will receive pro rata payment of the allowance up to the commencement of the Agreement. Thereafter, the allowance will be paid after 12 months continuous service on each anniversary of the commencement of the Agreement.

Allowance in Lieu of Private Practice:

• Processes to streamline payment of the Allowance in Lieu of Private Practice and improvements to the clause to remove the requirement for dental officers working a minimum of 0.8 FTE per week to have approved outside employment to be eligible for payment.

• A new clause will be included into the agreement to allow the use of recreation leave at half pay.

• Dental Officer work level descriptions have been amended to reflect the work content for each level within the new classification structure, aligning with the NTPS Capability Framework and Dental Officer Professional Practice Framework, reflecting the agreed outcomes of the review conducted under clause 9 Review of Certain Matters in the current Agreement.
• Clause 31 - Assessment for Progression has been amended to reflect the updated classification structure.

• A new clause to provide a commitment that management will respond in writing to an employee’s written concerns regarding ongoing and sustained workload issues in the workplace within 7 days.

• The work health and safety provisions will be strengthened consistent with the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 and improved measures will be included for all parties to:
  • take reasonable and practicable steps to prevent and address psychosocial risks in the workplace
  • support the establishment of committees and/or working groups including health and safety representatives (HSR’s).

• A new clause committing to support and accommodate a diverse and inclusive workplace which values the identities, skills and capabilities of all people including those with a disability, from culturally diverse background and senior employees.

• The current long service leave provisions contained in By-law 8 will be enshrined in the new Agreement (all leave related By-laws have been included in the agreement.)
• The community language allowance currently available under Determination 5 of 2024 will be incorporated into the new Agreement.

• Updated or new clauses to reflect recent changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 include:
  • Management of Change
  • Dispute Settling Procedures
  • Individual Flexibility Arrangements
  • Casual Employment  (employee choice pathway)
  • Workplace Delegates Rights
  • Right to Disconnect
  • Fixed Period Employment.

• Personal Leave to cover medical attendance
• recredit of Recreation Leave if accessing compassionate leave
• improved Blood Donor Leave to include blood plasma
• new Organ Donor Leave
• improved leave to engage in Voluntary Emergency Management Activities.

• Removal of the Accident Allowance clause as other provisions such as personal leave or workers compensation is available.