This coming Sunday, secondments of parcels 9 and 10 to Scope and parcels 17 and 19 to Possability will take place. In total, 104 houses will begin secondment over this coming weekend, on June 23rd. 

Your HACSU Officials have prepared a transfer update addressing some of the most raised issues. This update is structured so there is specific information for those of you who are being seconded within parcels 9, 10, 17 and 19. 

If you have any questions about any of the material in this Transfer Update, please contact our Transfer Organisers to discuss further – 1300 651 931 (option 1). Transfer Organisers are available for House visits (Team Meetings) and provide phone advice during HACSU business hours 9AM – 5PM, Monday to Friday.

If you have any concerns or unexpected issues arise, please get in contact with us as soon as you can; don’t delay!
 

Information for Members in Parcels 9, 10, 17 & 19

The following information relates specifically to members who have been allocated to parcels 9, 10, 17 & 19, which contain houses across the North, West and South divisions. Other DHHS members may find the information useful, but please be aware none of the dates apply unless you are allocated to these specific parcels.
 
Payroll Realignment, Transfer Incentive Payment, Payroll Changeover Payment

As members would know, upon secondment eligible members will receive the first of two transfer incentive payments (up to $7,500 per payment).

If you have any questions about your transfer incentive payment, you should contact payroll assist in the first instance on 1300 344 727 or via email (payroll.assist@dhhs.vic.gov.au) for support. If you still have concerns about your transfer incentive payment after contacting payroll assist you can lodge an ‘Application seeking consideration of exceptional circumstances’. In this application you should describe your concerns about the transfer incentive payment and attach any relevant information to the application which will then be assessed. You can click here for a copy of the application form. 

At the same time, Scope and Possability will be changing your pay so it is paid fully in arrears. The pay weeks will also change from Weeks 2 and 4 of the roster cycle to Weeks 1 and 3 of the roster cycle. Below is a table showing what you can expect to receive over the next period, who it is paid by and what the pay includes:
 

Within four weeks of the beginning of secondment, you will receive your final employment certificate from DHHS which outlines all of your entitlements that have transferred across to Scope and Possability.
 
Secondment Information and Contact Details

Recently members in Parcels 9, 10, 17 and 19 would have received transfer bulletin from the Department advising you about a number of matters like what happens to your DHHS email, client records and other changes to systems and processes upon secondment.

Scope has issued information packs and contact details to all houses in parcels 9 and 10 which you will be able to read.

Possability has issued information packs and contact details to all houses in parcels 17 and 19 which you will be able to read.

As well as your line manager, important contact details for during this period are:

• Possability – 1300 067 067
• Scope  - 1800 072 673
• DHHS Payroll Assist – 1300 344 727
• HACSU – 1300 651 931

Information for Members Seconding Later in 2019

Secondment Dates

After parcels 9, 10, 17 and 19 are seconded this weekend, 75% of all services will have begun secondment, leaving 25% of houses yet to begin secondment. We will continue to keep members updated throughout the process. Although you may have a prospective date for your house beginning secondment, please note that this date may change depending on whether the new provider is ready and equipped for the process to take place.

Please be aware that until you receive a formal letter from the Department which advises your actual secondment all other information should be treated as speculation. This is because no parcel will transfer until the providers have met a range of contracted milestones to show they are ready to start managing secondment DHHS staff.

This letter will be posted to your mailing address on file with the Department and will also contain an estimate of your Transfer Incentive Payment and some other important information.
 
Voluntary Departure Package (VDPs)

Currently, a decision regarding VDPs is sitting with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). We are awaiting a reply from the ATO about the Department’s VDP application. Rest assured, VDPs equivalent to 15% of the eligible transferring workforce will be available (approx. 500), but until we hear back from the ATO we have nothing to report. We are expecting a response very soon and will advise members as soon as we know more.

 

Update for Members: Life Without Barriers Tax Issue

As some members may already be aware, there has been an administrative error for several hundred staff who have already begun secondment with Life Without Barriers (LWB). 

As a part of regular pay, an incorrect amount of income tax was withheld from the pay of all affected staff.

This means that if you are affected, you do not owe any money to LWB, but when you complete your tax return, you will owe some money to the Australian Taxation Office. Alternatively, LWB has offered to deduct additional tax from your next pay - all you need to do is return the form they have emailed to you.

We are aware that all affected employees will have received an email to advise of the error which explains the issue. If you have any questions you can contact LWB at sharedservices@lwb.org.au  or by phone on (02) 4033 4600.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the TIP taxed?

Your first TIP is classified as income and will taxed at your marginal rate of tax. There is currently an application before the ATO to have the second TIP taxed at a reduced rate (the second TIP is paid at the point you formally transfer to the new provider from 1 January 2021).

Does the TIP attract the 9.5% superannuation guarantee?

The first TIP being paid to you when you second will attract the 9.5% superannuation guarantee.

The second TIP it will depend on the ATO ruling. If the ATO rules that the second TIP is an Employment Termination Payment then no superannuation is payable.
 
How can I get more information and support from HACSU in relation to the transfer? 

HACSU’s Transfer Organisers are here to help assist with a smooth transfer process by ensuring that all staff are well informed and receive all they are deserving of. Our Transfer Organisers are Deb, Cathy, Lisa C and Gerrard. The exciting news: these lovely, knowledgeable Organisers will be with us in this role until Final Transfer on 1st January 2021.

You will have received a visit from one of these Organisers at least once, if not twice throughout 2018 and you should expect to see them again soon!

Transfer Organisers are available for House visits (Team Meetings) and they also provide phone advice whenever in the office (1300 651 931, press 1).
 
Knowledge is power. Keep your colleagues informed by printing this newsletter to put up on your workplace noticeboard.