Allowances
Allowances
The rates of allowances are reviewed annually by Diocesan Council, effective from 1 May each year.
Arrangements for non-parish clergy, clergy in more than one ministry and part-time clergy are detailed in Policy 10.1.
Where husband and wife are each clergy engaged in ministry in the Diocese of Perth the terms and conditions of appointment will be modified to avoid unnecessary duplication and to avoid some allowances being paid beyond what the intention of the allowance is.
Housing Allowance
Parish clergy are to be provided with a suitable rectory or another residence within the parish, unless the Archbishop agrees to such rectory or other residence being located outside the parish, at the cost of the parish.
Where a clergy person chooses not to reside in the rectory provided by the parish, the parish should not be financially disadvantaged. Therefore, in cases where there is a suitable rectory or another residence available but with the approval of the Archbishop, parish clergy choosing to live in their own house, the standard housing allowance is payable, unless the Archbishop with the mutual agreement of the member of clergy concerned and the Parish Council, determines that a reduced housing allowance is.
Motor Vehicle Allowance
A motor vehicle allowance is payable where clergy are not provided with a motor vehicle by the parish. This will be the case for almost all clergy in parish ministry, especially in the city.
The motor vehicle allowance consists of a fixed component covering standing costs such as depreciation and interest on loans and a variable component covering running costs such as fuel and servicing. Clergy on long service leave or extended sick leave over 30 days receive only the fixed component of the motor vehicle allowance. The current fixed and variable component are published in Policy 10.1.
Country Allowance
A Country Allowance is paid to clergy and lay ministry workers in certain rural parishes to offset the additional cost of living in the country. The cost of Country Allowances is borne by the Diocese and not the parish to which the clergy has been appointed.
Utilities Reimbursement
The parish or responsible body is also responsible for meeting the reasonable cost of electrical usage, heating and cooling, water consumption, and telecommunications services.
It may not be considered reasonable to pay the cost of personal telecommunications, pay TV, heating a pool (in properties not provided by the parish) or charging an EV (which is covered by motor vehicle allowance).
The Archdeacon of Perth should be approached to assist in determining what is reasonable when the question arises between the parish and the member of the clergy concerned.
Supply Service Fees
Where retired or part-time clergy officiate at public worship in a parish on a Supply basis, the clergy will receive a Supply Service Fee. Supply Service Fees are determined based on “one service”, “two services”, or “all day”. In addition to the Supply Service Fee clergy are entitled to claim travel based on a rate per kilometre.
Clergy who provide Supply Services claim payment of their fees from the parish using the Supply Service Payment Form.
When full time stipended clergy offer their services for Sunday supply cover, no payment is required but a parish may wish to donate to the priest’s area/agency of ministry.