Ask Maddy: Am I eligible for a qualification allowance?

The Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2020–2024, sets out various circumstances in which a nurse or a midwife may be eligible for a qualification allowance.

Levels of qualification allowance – registered nurses and midwives

4.0% of Base Rate – for a Hospital Certificate or Graduate Certificate or equivalent

6.5% of Base Rate – for a Postgraduate Diploma, Degree or a Double Degree

7.5% of Base Rate – for a Masters

10% of Base Rate – for a Doctorate or a PhD

Calculating the entitlement

The above allowances are all based on a percentage of the “Base Rate”, not your personal rate of pay. Base rate is defined as the “weekly ordinary full-time wage of a RN/M3”.

Appendix 2 contains those rates (amongst others)

Applying the percentage to the above rates, and we arrive at this:

Does the course need to be undertaken after initial registration?

No, such as someone with a double or dual degree or master’s entry, but the EBA requires you to have completed a year of service after completion of the qualification before becoming eligible.

Does the course need to be relevant?

Yes, but the EBA contains the criteria for this. The course, or a component of it, must be relevant having regard to:

• the nature of the education; and
• the current area of practice of the employee; and

other considerations may include:

• the clinical or other area of work of the employee
• the classification and position description of the employee
• whether the education would assist the employee in performing their role and/or assist in maintaining quality patient care, and/or
• assist in the administration of the ward/unit/area in which the employee is employed.

Does the course need to be tertiary accredited?

Generally yes, or you will need to show evidence from the education provider that it is the equivalent of, for example, a graduate certificate.

What is a hospital certificate?

A hospital certificate is post-registration qualification equivalent to what would now be a post graduate certificate or diploma.

I am required to hold a current Cert IV TAE. Am I eligible?

Yes, from 1 January 2021 if your employer requires the Cert IV TAE (or equivalent) for you to undertake your role. There is no relevance test other than this. The TAE attracts an allowance of 3.5% of the Base Rate per week.

I have more than qualification. Can I get two qualification allowances?

No (with the possible exception of RIPN, below). You only receive one qualification allowance, being for the qualification that attracts the highest payment.

What is the RIPN Allowance?

TheRural and Isolated Practice Allowance applies to a Rural and Isolated Practice Nurse (RIPN). A RIPN is a registered nurse or midwife who has:

• completed the education to undertake the duties of a Rural and Isolated Practice Nurse (RIPN) (or equivalent); and
• whose employer may from time to time require them to undertake the duties of a RIPN Nurse (or equivalent).

How much is the RIPN allowance?

The RIPN allowance is 4% of the Base Rate on all hours, including overtime. For a full-time employee performing no overtime, the weekly rate is:

This allowance is to be included as salary for all employment related purposes including superannuation and leave entitlements.

Can I get a qualification allowance and the RIPN allowance?

Yes, if you qualify for both, and your qualification allowance is not based on the same education that qualifies you for the RIPN allowance.

Levels of qualification allowance – enrolled nurses

An enrolled nurse who holds a relevant certificate or qualification will be paid the following allowance:

4% of the weekly rate for an EN 1.6 – for a certificate or qualification for a course of six months’ duration.

7.5% of the weekly rate for an EN 1.6 – for a certificate or qualification for a course of 12 months’ duration.

Applying the percentage to the above rates, and we arrive at this:

What courses are eligible?

The EBA names the following four courses:

This is because some enrolled nurses completed these courses when they were available and continue to receive the allowance.

However, an enrolled nurse who holds any other relevant certificate or qualification, which may from time to time be approved by the NMBA, is entitled to a qualification allowance in accordance with this clause.

What evidence do I need to provide?

You will meet the evidence requirements if you have provided your employer with evidence from the education/training provider that would satisfy a reasonable person that you have obtained the qualification for which the allowance is claimed. For example:

• the award of the qualification; or
• the certificate of the qualification; or
• transcript from the education/training provider.

The allowance is payable from the pay period on or after the evidence is provided.

Do I receive the qualification allowance when I am on leave?

Yes, if you are an enrolled nurse.

For a registered nurse or midwife, your qualification allowance will be paid during all periods of leave except sick leave beyond 21 days in any 12-month period, and long service leave.

In the case of annual leave, a qualification allowance is added to those components that form the ‘projected roster’ leave loading mode. If you receive the 17.5% leave loading mode, you do not receive the allowance in addition to leave loading.

I am part time. Do I receive the same amount?

No. All the allowances are paid on a pro-rata basis for part-time and casual employees.