Community Language Allowance (CLA)
Under clause 26 of the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024-27 (EA), eligible ongoing and non-ongoing employees can receive an allowance if they meet certain competency requirements and are required to use their ability to communicate in braille, Auslan, or a language other than English in the course of their work.
For an employee to be eligible for this allowance, the employing parliamentarian must determine that:
- the employee is regularly required to use their ability to communicate in another language, and
- the evidence available to them demonstrates that the employee has the skills and capability required to communicate in a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters in the relevant language or languages.
Evidence of skill and capability may include, but is not limited to:
- Educational history, including primary and/or secondary education, where schooling is undertaken in that language.
- Previous work experience requiring the employee to use the language.
- Existing or recent community involvement requiring the employee to use the language.
- A language other than English is used in the household.
- Tertiary qualification in that language.
An employing parliamentarian may request an employee to obtain certification as proof of competency.
This may include, but is not limited to, certification from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), or a Certificate II in Auslan from a Technical and Further Education (TAFE) provider.
The PWSS will reimburse an employee for the cost of one certification up to the value of $1,000 (GST inclusive).
To submit a reimbursement, the employee must first receive written endorsement from their employing parliamentarian, complete the Community Language Allowance Form and then email the receipt to HR@pwss.gov.au within 30 days of receiving the invoice and/or completing the certification, whichever is later.
Apply for Community Language Allowance:
Please contact HR Advice at HR@pwss.gov.au or 1800 747 977 (option 2) for further advice.