1.1 This Schedule sets out the provisions applicable to employees who, because of the effects of a disability, are eligible to receive a supported wage. In the context of these provisions the following definitions will apply:
Supported Wage System means the Commonwealth Government system to promote employment for people who cannot work at full salary because of a disability.
Accredited Assessor means a person accredited by the managing unit established by he Commonwealth under the Supported Wage System to perform assessments of an individual's productive capacity within the Supported Wage System.
Disability Support Pension means the Commonwealth pension scheme to provide income security for people with a disability as provided for under the Social Security Act 1991, as amended from time to time, or any successor to that scheme.
Assessment Instrument means the form provided for under the Supported Wage System that records the assessment of the productive capacity of the person to be employed under the Supported Wage System.
3.1 Subject to clause 3.2 following, employees covered by these provisions are those who are unable to perform the range of duties to the competence level required within the class of work for which they are engaged because of the effects of a disability on their productive capacity and who meet the impairment criteria test for a Disability Support Pension.
3.2 The provisions in this Schedule do not apply to any existing employee who has a claim against the Commonwealth which is subject to the provisions of workers' compensation legislation relating to employees who are injured in the course of their employment.
4.1 Employees to whom the provisions in this Schedule apply shall be paid the applicable percentage of the salary prescribed by this Agreement for the class of work which the employee is performing as follows, provided that the amount payable will not be less than $50 per week.
| Assessed Capacity |
% of Prescribed Salary |
| 10% |
10% |
| 20% |
20% |
| 30% |
30% |
| 40% |
40% |
| 50% |
50% |
| 60% |
60% |
| 70% |
70% |
| 80% |
80% |
| 90% |
90% |
4.2 An employee whose assessed capacity is 10% will receive a high degree of assistance and support.
5.1 For the purpose of establishing the percentage of the salary rate to be paid to an employee under this Agreement, the productive capacity of the employee will be assessed in accordance with the Supported Wage System and documented in an assessment instrument.
6.1 All assessment instruments, including the assessment of the percentage of the salary rate to be paid to the employee under this Agreement shall be lodged by the Department with the Registrar of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
6.2 All assessment instruments will be agreed and signed by the parties to the assessment.
7.1 The assessment of the applicable percentage should be subject to review annually, or earlier on the basis of a reasonable request for such a review. The process of review shall be in accordance with the procedure for assessing capacity under the Supported Wage System.
8.1 Where an assessment has been made, the applicable percentage shall apply to the employee's salary only. Employees covered by these provisions are entitled to the same terms and conditions of employment as all other workers covered by this Agreement on a pro rata basis.
9.1 Where the Secretary employs a person under these provisions, reasonable steps to make changes in the workplace to enhance the employee's ability to do the job will be taken. Changes may include redesign of duties, working time arrangements and work organisation, in consultation with other employees in the work area.
10.1 In order for an adequate assessment of the employee's capacity to be made, the Secretary may employ a person under these provisions for a trial period not exceeding 12 weeks, except that in some cases additional work adjustment time (not exceeding 4 weeks) may be needed.
10.2 During that trial period the assessment of capacity shall be undertaken and the proposed salary rate for a continuing employment relationship shall be determined.
10.3 The minimum amount payable to the employee during the trial period shall be no less than $50 per week.
10.4 Where the Secretary and the employee wish to establish a continuing employment relationship following completion of the trial period, further employment arrangements will be based on the outcome of the assessment of the employee's capacity.
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