2022 Ministerial Stipends Update

Posted Aug 10, 2021 in News

The Stipends Committee met on 27th July, 2021 to deliberate on the ministerial stipend and allowances for 2022.

After reviewing the data and much deliberation, the Stipends Committee recommended a 1.5% increase to the minimum ministerial stipend to apply from 1st January 2022. This is based on the predicted trimmed mean CPI for the end of 2021 and the Wage Price Index.

These two indices look at the cost of an average basket of goods and the movement of community wages. However, due the economic uncertainty created by, among other things, the current lockdowns in multiple states (and in particular, Australia’s largest economy NSW), the Stipends committee recommends that the Synod Standing Committee approve this forecast increase of 1.5 % now, but that it be affirmed by SSC at its December meeting. This means that congregational treasurers can now do their budgets for 2022 based on this proposed increase, but it allows time for further economic data to guide Stipends Committee on its forecast increase.

Stipends Committee also recommended an increase of 1.5% to the accommodation allowance, professional development allowance, candidates book allowance, long service leave and Ministers Benefit Fund contributions. It has been 3 years since an increase in preaching fees has been applied, and so Stipends Committee recommends an increase of $5 per service to $90 and $10 for two services, to $150. Again, we request these increases be approved at this meeting for budget planning purposes, with an affirmation at the December SSC meeting.

A decision on any adjustment to the travel equalisation fund needs to be deferred until a review of this fund and contributions is completed. All motor vehicle related allowances are set as late as possible in the year to get the most timely data on fuel prices.

At its meeting on 6th August, Synod Standing Committee approved the recommendations made by Stipends Committee, with increases to be confirmed at its December 2021 meeting.

The updated Draft Stipends Schedule is available on the Synod website at this link.

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