Remuneration and allowances for Regular Force

Remuneration package

The NZDF offers a comprehensive remuneration package for its Regular Force members, designed to reflect the unique demands and contributions of military service.

The package includes three main components:

1. The base salary, which is determined by rank, branch or trade, sector, tier, and pay step:
   1. Sector allocation reflects external market comparisons, valuing NZDF trade skills, qualifications, and experience.
   2. Tier allocation represents the internal priority NZDF places on specific trades or skill sets.
   3. Pay steps increase as members gain additional skills, qualifications, and experience.
2. The military factor, a fixed annual allowance of $18,024 compensates for the unique demands of military service, including operational requirements and conditions.
3. The employer superannuation contribution, a 4% subsidy which is paid to members enrolled in a superannuation scheme.

Regular Force members are paid fortnightly.

Additional remuneration

Members of the Regular Force and Territorial Force members may be entitled to additional remuneration:

• Higher Duties Pay: A member may receive higher duties pay where they are performing the duties of a higher ranked or higher graded position for a period. This payment is subject to a qualifying period, and is only paid while the duties of the higher position are being performed. 
• Special TR: At times, the NZDF needs to pay a higher rate of pay in order to attract or retain a member with particular skills and experience. In these situations, a Special Total Remuneration may be approved. 

Additional allowances for specific duties

Sometimes, NZDF members take on specific duties that are not covered by their regular fortnightly pay. In these situations, they may be eligible for a daily allowance, depending on the nature of the work.

Operational Enabling Allowance

The operational enabling allowance is provided to NZDF members working in challenging environments during extended activities at sea or on land, but not in operational deployments. This includes time spent on Navy ships or participating in land-based activities with limited facilities or accommodation.

This allowance is subject to PAYE tax and superannuation deductions.

Members on operational deployments are not eligible for this allowance. Instead, they may qualify for an operational allowance.

Operational Allowances

Operational allowances are paid to NZDF members serving in environments with operational and health risks, such as warlike, hazardous, or peacekeeping deployments.

The operational environment is evaluated to determine the level of military, environmental, and health threats. This assessment guides the amount of operational allowance to be paid.

Depending on the deployment, these allowances may or may not be subject to PAYE tax and superannuation deductions.

Members engaged in non-operational activities are not eligible for operational allowances. In such cases, an operational enabling allowance may apply.