Appendix 4: Our People

During the 2018/19 financial year, the Portable Long Service Benefits Authority (the Authority)’s focus on people was the recruitment of key roles. The Chief Executive Officer/Registrar (CEO) commenced in March 2019. The Governing Board was appointed in April 2019 and had its first Governing Board meeting on 15 April 2019.

Prior to commencing full operations, key management positions were put into place by a project team within the Department of Premier and Cabinet managed by Industrial Relations Victoria including the Chief Financial Officer, Head of Governance and Policy and the Operations Manager. Customer Service and Education staff were recruited from the Bendigo region and completed training ready to commence operations on 1 July 2019. These positions were initially employed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet and transferred to the Authority on 1 July 2019.

As at 30 June 2019, there were 9 responsible persons for the Authority, being the CEO and the other Governing Board members.

There were 20.22 FTE employed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet and transferred to the Authority on 1 July 2019. The Authority forecasts 31 FTE in 2019–20.

Since 1 July 2019 and up to the date of this Annual Report, the Authority continued to finalise certain residual establishment activities supported by a project team within the Department of Premier and Cabinet, run by Industrial Relations Victoria. These residual establishment activities included a focus on defining the organisational structure and completion of recruitment activities to ensure that the Authority had a full complement of staff.

Employment and conduct principles

The Authority is committed to ensuring compliance with relevant Victorian and Commonwealth legislation as well as upholding and applying the Victorian Public Service values, behaviours and principles. The Authority is currently building its internal policies and processes to provide guidance to staff on matters such as grievances, flexible work opportunities, recruitment and performance. The Authority is also focused on developing our people to ensure that they have the skills and capability to perform and excel in their roles and help the Authority establish its reputation within the sectors and the wider community.

Occupational Health and Safety

Prior to 30 June 2019, the Authority adhered to the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policies. The Authority is developing its own policies which will be put to the Governing Board for approval in the 2019–20 financial year. The Authority will also identify suitable OH&S performance indicators on which the Authority will be measured.

There were no hazards or incidents reported relating to Occupational Health and Safety in 2018–19.

Workforce data

The following table shows the head count and full-time equivalent (FTE) of all Portable Long Service Benefits Authority employees as at 1 July 2019.

Executive Officer (EO) Data

The following table shows the annualised salaries for senior employees categorised by classification. The table below reflects employment levels broken down by gender against EO classification levels.

* Note: Executives’ remuneration is inclusive of superannuation.