Ensuring value for money from public servant aid advisers

Media Release

Abu Dhabi

3 March 2011

The Australian Government today announced a review of the pay and conditions offered to public servants engaged overseas as Australian aid advisers.

Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd said this is a vital next step in ensuring advisers under the aid program, be they commercially engaged or a Government employee, are value for money.

It follows the recent introduction of a standardised remuneration framework for commercially engaged advisers.

"The remuneration framework recently introduced by AusAID ensures that we have a consistent approach to commercial salaries and allowances. It has resulted in a reduction in maximum fee levels of around 25 percent," said Mr Rudd.

"Whilst this first framework covers the vast majority of overseas aid advisers, a similar approach is also needed in regards to the remuneration of Australian Government deployees engaged as advisers as part of the aid program."

The review will examine the range of terms and conditions currently being received by Australian Government officials engaged overseas as advisers in aid program delivery and provide the Government with an equitable, consistent, cost-effective approach.

The review will be conducted by AusAID and look at positions in which public servants from more than 11 agencies are deployed overseas as advisers within the aid program. It is expected to be completed by September 2011.

Mr Rudd said that the recent Joint Adviser Review undertaken with partner governments had confirmed that many advisers – from both the private and public sectors – played an important role in transferring skills and expertise to our partner countries.

"The aim of this review will be to standardise terms and conditions for Australian Public Service (APS) employees deployed overseas as advisers under the aid program, to ensure maximum accountability, efficiency and effectiveness.

"We are committed to working with partner government to help them to build communities capable of managing their own development," said Mr Rudd.

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