Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations (Amendment)

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Statutory Rules

1976 No. 81

REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903-1975, THE NAVAL

DEFENCE ACT 1910-1975 AND THE AIR FORCE ACT 1923-1975.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1975, the Naval Defence Act 1910-1975 and the Air Force Act 1923-1975.

Dated this ninth day of March, 1976.

JOHN R. KERR

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

D. J. KILLEN

Minister of State for Defence.

_____________

Amendments of the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations†

General rates of salary payable to members other than officers and trainees.

1. Regulation 8 of the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (1) the words “ The rate of salary ” and substituting the words “ Subject to sub-regulation (1a), the rate of salary ”; and

(b) by inserting after sub-regulation (1) the following sub-regulation:—

“ (1a) The rate of salary payable to a member of the Army who—

(a) holds the rank of Private;

(b) has successfully completed a military trade or skill test;

(d) is proficient in his military trade or skill,

is the rate specified in relation to a member—

(e) who holds the rank of Lance Corporal; and

(f) the pay level appropriate, under the Service Financial Regulations, to whom is the same as the pay level appropriate, under those last-mentioned Regulations, to that first-mentioned member.”.

_________________________________________________________________________________

* Notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 17 March 1976.

† Statutory Rules 1973, No. 100, as amended by Statutory Rules 1973, Nos. 132, 201, 203, 249 and 269; 1974, Nos. 71, 77, 90, 92. 93 and 208; 1975, Nos. 34, 149, 163 and 197; and 1976, Nos. 3, 13 and 48.

Senior Chaplain’s Allowance.

2. Regulation 16 of the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations is amended by omitting the figures “ $307 ” and substituting the figures “ $327 ”.

Schedules 1-9 (inclusive).

3. Schedules 1 to 9 (inclusive) to the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations are repealed and the following Schedules substituted:—

SCHEDULE 1 Regulation 7

Officers who hold Specified Ranks

Column	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Annual rate of Salary
			$
Rear-Admiral.........	Major-General........	Air Vice-Marshal.......	29,310
Commodore..........	Brigadier...........	Air Commodore.......	24,906

SCHEDULE 2 Regulation 7

Male Officers other than Officers who hold a Rank Specified in Schedule 1 on are Officers Described in Schedules 3, 4, 5, 6 or 9

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Annual rate or Salary
			$
Acting Sub-Lieutenant...	Second Lieutenant.....	Pilot Officer..........	8,628
(Supplementary List)
Sub-Lieutenant—	Lieutenant—	Flying Officer—
Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	9,122
1 year.............	1 year............	1 year.............	9,614
Lieutenant—
Under 1 year........	2 years...........	2 years............	10,107
1 year.............	3 years...........	3 years............	10,600
	Captain—	Flight Lieutenant—
2 years............	Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	11,165
3 years............	1 year............	1 year.............	11,730
4 years............	2 years...........	2 years............	12,295
5 years............	3 years...........	3 years............	12,860
6 years............	4 years...........	4 years............	13,424
7 years............	5 years...........	5 years............	13,988
Lieutenant-Commander—	Major—	Squadron Leader—
Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	14,683
1 year.............	1 year............	1 year.............	15,378
2 years............	2 years...........	2 years............	16,073
3 years............	3 years...........	3 years............	16,768
Commander—	Lieutenant-Colonel—	Wing Commander—
Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	17,649
1 year.............	1 year............	1 year.............	18,530
Captain—	Colonel—	Group Captain—
Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	19,535
1 year.............	1 year............	1 year.............	20,542

SCHEDULE 3 Regulation 7

Female Officers and Officers who are Male Nurses

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Annual rate of Salary
			$
	Second Lieutenant.......	Pilot Officer............	6,902
Sister or 3rd Officer—	Lieutenant—	Section Officer or Flying Officer—
Under 1 year..........	Under 1 year.........	Under 1 year..........	7,297
1 year..............	1 year..............	1 year..............	7,692
2 years..............	2 years.............	2 years..............	8,085
3 years..............	3 years.............	3 years..............	8,481
Senior Sister or 2nd Officer—	Captain—	Flight Officer or Flight Lieutenant—
Under 1 year..........	Under 1 year.........	Under I year..........	8,932
1 year..............	1 year..............	1 year..............	9,383
2 years..............	2 years.............	2 years..............	9,836
3 years..............	3 years.............	3 years..............	10,288
4 years..............	4 years.............	4 years..............	10,739
5 years..............	5 years.............	5 years..............	11,191
Superintending Sister or 1st Officer—	Major—	Squadron Officer or Squadron Leader—
Under 1 year..........	Under 1 year.........	Under 1 year..........	11,747
I year..............	1 year..............	1 year..............	12,302
2 years..............	2 years.............	2 years..............	12,858
3 years..............	3 years.............	3 years..............	13,414
Matron or Chief Officer—	Lieutenant-Colonel—	Wing Officer or Wing Commander—
Under 1 year..........	Under 1 year.........	Under 1 year..........	14,119
1 year..............	1 year..............	1 year..............	14,824
Captain—	Colonel—	Group Officer or Group Captain—
Under 1 year..........	Under 1 year.........	Under 1 year..........	15,628
1 year..............	1 year..............	1 year..............	16,433

SCHEDULE 4 Regulation 7

Naval Officers of the Special Duties List, Army Officers Commissioned from Sergeant and above and equivalent ranks, other than graduates of an officer cadet school, and Air Force Officers Commissioned from Sergeant and above and Equivalent Ranks

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Annual rate of Salary
			$
		Pilot Officer............	11,445
Sub-Lieutenant—	Lieutenant—	Flying Officer—

Under 1 year..........	Under 1 year.........	Under 1 year.........	12,011
1 year..............	1 year..............	1 year..............	12,295
Lieutenant—
Under 1 year..........	2 years.............	2 years..............	12,578
1 year..............	3 years.............	3 years..............	12,860
	Captain—	Flight Lieutenant—
2 years..............	Under 1 year.........	Under 1 year..........	13,143
3 years..............	1 year..............	1 year..............	13,424
5 years..............	3 years.............	3 years..............	13,708
7 years..............	5 years.............	5 years..............	13,988

SCHEDULE 5 Regulation 7

Medical Officers and Dental Officer:

Column I	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Annual rate of Salary
			$
Officer performing year of compulsory residency (from under-graduate scheme)	Officer performing year of compulsory residency (from undergraduate scheme)	Officer performing year of compulsory residency (from undergraduate scheme)	11,165
Lieutenant—	Captain—	Flight Lieutenant—
Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	13,364
1 year.............	1 year............	1 year.............	14,504
2 years............	2 years...........	2 years............	15,075
3 years............	3 years...........	3 years............	15,645
4 years............	4 years...........	4 years............	16,215
5 years............	5 years...........	5 years............	16,787
Lieutenant-Commander—	Major—	Squadron Leader—
Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	Under I year........	18,034
1 year.............	1 year............	1 year.............	18,658
2 years............	2 years...........	2 years............	19,282
3 years............	3 years...........	3 years............	19,909
Commander..........	Lieutenant-Colonel.....	Wing Commander......	22,509
Captain.............	Colonel............	Group Captain........	24,790
Commodore..........	Brigadier...........	Air Commodore.......	27,108
Rear-Admiral.........	Major-General........	Air Vice-Marshal......	29,310

SCHEDULE 6 Regulation 7

Chaplains

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Annual rate of Salary
			$
Chaplain—	Chaplain, 4th Class—	Chaplain—
Under 1 year	Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	11,165
1 year............	1 year...........	1 year............	11,730
2 years...........	2 years...........	2 years...........	12,295
3 years...........	3 years...........	3 years...........	12,860
	Chaplain, 3rd Class—
4 years...........	Under 2 years......	4 years...........	13,424
6 years...........	2 years...........	6 years...........	13,988
8 years...........	4 years...........	8 years...........	14,493
10 years...........	6 years...........	10 years...........	14,997
12 years...........	8 years...........	12 years...........	15,501
14 years...........	10 years...........	14 years...........	16,006
16 years...........	12 years...........	16 years...........	16,511
18 years...........	14 years...........	18 years...........	17,015
20 years...........	16 years...........	20 years...........	17,520
22 years...........	18 years...........	22 years...........	18,024
	Chaplain-General......	Principal Air Chaplain...	18,530

SCHEDULE 7 Regulation 8

Male Members OTHER than Officer and Members undergoing Training in a Capacity referred to in Schedule 9

Part I

Ranks			Annual rates of Salary
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Pay Level One	Pay Level Two	Pay Level Three	Pay Level Four	Pay Level Five	Pay Level Six
Navy	Army	Air Force	Pay Level One	Pay Level Two	Pay Level Three	Pay Level Four	Pay Level Five	Pay Level Six
			$	$	$	$	$	$
Seaman.......	Private......	Aircraftman..	6,187	6,617	7,049	7,488	7,927	8,365
Able Seaman...	Lance Corporal	Leading Aircraftman	6,351	6,785	7,215	7,655	8,092	8,532
Leading Seaman.	Corporal.....	Corporal....	6,631	7,063	7,494	7,934	8,372	8,811

Part II

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Annual rate of Salary
			S
Petty Officer—	Sergeant—	Sergeant—
Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	Under 1 year........	6,970
1 year.............	I year............	1 year.............	7,402
2 years............	2 years...........	2 years............	7,833
3 years............	3 years...........	3 years............	8,273
4 years............	4 years...........	4 years............	8,712
5 years............	5 years...........	5 years............	9,151
6 years............	6 years...........	6 years............	9,590

Part III

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Annual rate of Salary
Artificer, 1st Class,			$
Mechanician,
1st Class, Naval
Shipwright, 1st Class—	Staff Sergeant—	Flight Sergeant—
Under 1 year......	Under 1 year.......	Under 1 year........	9,590
I year...........	1 year............	1 year............	10,035
2 years..........	2 years...........	2 years............	10,479
Chief Petty Officer-	Warrant Officer. Class 2—
Under 1 year........	Under 1 year.......	3 years............	10,925
1 year.............	1 year............	4 years............	11,371
Warrant Officer—	Warrant Officer, Class 1—	Warrant Officer—
Under 1 year........	Under 1 year.......	Under 1 year........	11,850
1 year.............	1 year............	1 year............	12,328

Part IV

Appropriate Pay Level	Period of service in rank to which promoted
Pay Level Two .....	One year
Pay Level Three.....	Two years
Pay Level Four .....	Three years
Pay Level Five .....	Four years
Pay Level Six ......	Five years

SCHEDULE 8 Regulation 8

Female Members other than Officers and Members undergoing Training in a Capacity referred to in Schedule 9

Part I

Ranks			Annual rates of Salary
Column 1 Navy	Column 2 Army	Column 3 Air Force	Pay Level One	Pay Level Two	Pay Level Three	Pay Level Four	Pay Level Five	Pay Level Six
			$	$	$	$	$	$
Wran ......	Private .....	Aircraftwoman	6,187	6,617	7,049	7,488	7,927	8,365
Senior Wran .	Lance Corporal	Leading Air-craftwoman	6,318	6,752	7,182	7,622	8,059	8,499
Leading Wran	Corporal ...	Corporal ....	6,541	6,975	7,405	7,846	8,282	8,722

Part II

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Annual rate of Salary
Petty Officer—	Sergeant—	Sergeant—	$
Under 1 year........	Under 1 year.......	Under 1 year........	6,814
1 year............	3 year............	I year............	7,246
2 years............	2 years...........	2 years............	7,677
3 years............	3 years...........	3 years............	8,116
4 years............	4 years...........	4 years............	8,555
5 years............	5 years...........	5 years............	8,994
6 years............	6 years...........	6 years............	9,431

Part III

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4 Annual rate
Navy	Army	Air Force	of Salary
			$
Chief Petty Officer- Under 1 year .......	Staff Sergeant— under 1 year .......	Flight Sergeant— Under 1 year.......	9,431
1 year ............	1 year ...........	1 year ............	9,787
2 years ...........	2 years ...........	2 years ...........	10,142
	Warrant Officer, Class 2— Under 1 year ......	..................	10,500
	1 year ...........	..................	10,857
Warrant Officer— Under 1 year .......	Warrant Officer, Class 1— Under 1 year ......	Warrant Officer— Under 1 year .......	11,239
1 year ............	1 year ...........	1 year ............	11,621

Part IV

Appropriate Pay Level	Period of service in rank to which promoted
Pay Level Two ...	One year
Pay Level Three ..	Two years
Pay Level Four ...	Three years
Pay Level Five....	Four years
Pay Level Six....	Five years

SCHEDULE 9 Regulation 9

Members Undergoing Training

Item No.	Training Capacities	Annual rate of Salary
		$
1	Normal Entry Recruits during basic Recruit training......................	5,332
2	Trainees, including Seamen in the Navy who have attained the age of 17 years and who have not completed their category training—
	1st year................................................	5,616
	2nd and subsequent years....................................	6,589
3	Junior Trainees, being Junior Musicians, Apprentice Musicians and other Apprentices—
	1st year................................................	3,145
	2nd year................................................	4,118
	3rd year................................................	5,616
	4th year................................................	6,589
4	Seamen in the Navy who have not attained the age of 17 years and Junior Recruits in the Navy	3,125
5	Royal Military College Cadets, Air Cadets at the Air Force Academy and subordinate officers (that is to say, officers of the Navy who hold the rank of Acting Sub-Lieutenant or a lower rank) who entered the Royal Australian Naval College by way of Senior Entry—
	1st year................................................	4,512
	2nd year................................................	5,094
	3rd year................................................	5,676
	4th year................................................	6,256
	5th year................................................	6,838
	6th year................................................	7,420
6	Subordinate officers (that is to say, officers of the Navy who hold the rank of Acting Sub-Lieutenant or a lower rank) who entered the Royal Australian Naval College by way of Junior Entry—
	1st year................................................	3,473
	2nd year................................................	3,992
	3rd year................................................	4,512
	4th year................................................	5,094
	5th year................................................	5,676
	6th year................................................	6,256
	7th year................................................	6,838
	8th year................................................	7,420
7	Members, not being members referred to in items 5 and 6, undertaking degree courses—
	with 3 years to graduation....................................	5,094
	with 2 years to graduation....................................	5,676
	in final year.............................................	6.256
8	Members of the Navy and Air Cadets not at the Air Force Academy, undertaking Diploma courses—
	1st year................................................	3,992
	2nd year (or matriculation or equivalent entry).......................	4,512
	3rd year................................................	5,094
	4th year................................................	5,676
9	Male Officer Trainees— Officer Cadets (Army) and Aircrew Cadets (Air Force)	5,676
	If completed degree course...................................	6,256
10	Female Officer Trainees.....................................	4,541
	If completed degree course...................................	5,005
11	Members of the Navy, other than members referred to in another item of this Schedule, who hold the rank of Midshipman (Supplementary List)—
	1st year................................................	5,676
	2nd year................................................	6,256

Application.

4. (1) The amendments of the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations effected by regulation 1 apply to and in relation to members of the Army as if those amendments had come into operation on 22 April 1975.

(2) For the purposes of sub-regulation (1), a reference in the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations as amended by regulation 1 to the Army shall, in respect of service by a member of the Army during the period from and including 22 April 1975 to and including 8 February 1976, be read as a reference to the Military Forces.

(3) The amendments of the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations effected by regulations 2 and 3 apply to and in relation to—

(a) members of the Navy and of the Army—as if those amendments had come into operation on 20 February 1976; and

(b) members of the Air Force—as if those amendments had come into operation on 19 February 1976.

Overview

Statutory Rules 1976 No. 81, enacted under the Defence Act 1903-1975, the Naval Defence Act 1910-1975, and the Air Force Act 1923-1975, addresses the need to update and regulate salaries for various ranks and roles within the Australian Defence Force. The regulations were introduced to ensure that the remuneration for military personnel is commensurate with their rank, experience, and the responsibilities associated with their roles. The enacting body is the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on advice from the Federal Executive Council, with the aim of maintaining fair and competitive compensation for Defence Force members. These regulations specifically focus on updating salary scales and allowances for different categories of military personnel, including officers and enlisted members across the Navy, Army, and Air Force.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1975, the Naval Defence Act 1910-1975, and the Air Force Act 1923-1975 apply to members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), encompassing the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These regulations specifically govern the salary structure for various ranks and roles within these defence forces, detailing the annual rates of salary for officers and enlisted personnel, differentiated by rank, experience, and role. The amendments pertain to the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations and include modifications to the salary rates for members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, effective from specific dates in 1975 and 1976. The regulations also adjust allowances and salaries for chaplains and other specific roles. These amendments apply retroactively to certain periods for members of the Army, with different effective dates for the Navy and Air Force. The regulations do not specify any exclusions or exemptions within the text provided, and their application is governed by the specified effective dates for different services and roles within the ADF.

Key Provisions

The main sections of these regulations pertain to the amendment and substitution of various schedules within the Defence Force (Salaries) Regulations. Specifically, Regulation 1 introduces a new sub-regulation (1a) which adjusts the salary of Army Privates who meet certain criteria, such as completing a military trade or skill test and a year of service, to be equivalent to that of a Lance Corporal. Regulation 2 increases the Senior Chaplain’s Allowance by $20, and Regulation 3 repeals the existing Schedules 1 to 9, replacing them with updated schedules that detail salary rates for various ranks across the Navy, Army, and Air Force. These schedules include detailed pay structures based on rank and years of service, and are intended to provide a clear and structured approach to salary determination within the defence forces. These regulations impose specific obligations and requirements on the parties they govern. For example, they require that salaries be paid according to the new schedules, which outline specific rates based on rank, years of service, and proficiency in military trades or skills. They also mandate that the Senior Chaplain’s Allowance be adjusted to the new rate specified. Additionally, these regulations ensure that salary adjustments are applied retroactively to certain dates, ensuring that members of the defence forces are compensated accurately based on their service history. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in various civil or criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within these regulations, breaches of salary regulations could potentially lead to legal actions for non-payment of wages, which may incur civil penalties such as fines or compensation. Additionally, if the non-compliance is deemed to be part of a broader pattern of misconduct or maladministration within the defence forces, it could potentially lead to criminal charges under other relevant legislation, which might include imprisonment or other criminal penalties. The exact nature and severity of penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and the applicable laws at the time of any alleged breach.

Area of Law: Military Law
Instrument: Regulation
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Offence Provisions; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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