Salary Packaging
Salary packaging is available to permanent and limited-term full-time and part-time staff members. The length of a limited/fixed term staff member’s contract may limit the range of items that can be salary packaged. Salary packaging is optional and voluntary.
The University of Wollongong offers employees the opportunity to salary sacrifice superannuation, car parking on campus and Uni Active gym fees. In addition, the University has appointed SG Fleet, an Australian owned company who specialise in Salary Packaging, to work closely with the University and our staff, to deliver a wider range of items that may be packaged and a competitive and customer-focused salary packaging service.
Salary packaging is an approved means of structuring remuneration to enable employees to receive a combination of:
- salary; and
- approved benefits
Benefits are paid for from an employee's pre-tax salary thereby reducing the taxable income. Impact on an employee’s take home pay will depend on the amount of gross salary, the type(s) of benefit(s) selected, the cost of each benefit and other associated costs, such as FBT.
Items Available for Salary Packaging
The University of Wollongong offers employees the opportunity to allocate an amount of their gross salary before PAYG tax deductions to salary packaging.
Staff are strongly recommended to seek independent financial advice before entering into any Salary Packaging arrangement.
Internal items available for packaging
- Car parking
- Superannuation
- UniActive membership
Salary packaging of novated leases for motor vehicles and other items is also available through SG Fleet, an external provider. Please contact SG Fleet for further details on 1800 743 262 or online at https://www.sgfleet.com/au/.
Car Parking
Salary packaging is available for car parking on Campus only. Two categories of car parking are available to staff, both of which can be salary packaged – UOW Staff Permit Parking and Reserved Parking. More information can be found on the Parking @ UOW web page.
Superannuation
Employees can salary package their standard superannuation contributions and any additional, voluntary superannuation contributions.
Employees should be aware that salary packaged contributions are deemed to be employer contributions. All employer contributions currently attract a government imposed Contributions Tax of 15% (for example contributions of 7% will increase to 8.25%).
Concessional contributions (i.e. pre-tax and employer contributions) made to super are subject to annual caps. The ATO will assess you personally for any excess contributions tax that you may have incurred.
For more information, see the Australian Taxation Office website.
Superannuation contributions are not subject to the GST.
Superannuation can be complex, and there are many issues that may need to be considered, therefore, it is advisable that employees seek financial advice before entering into a Salary Packaging arrangement. Some issues to consider and to discuss with your financial adviser include:
- access to salary packaged contributions is only upon retirement
- taxation
- concessional contributions
- changes to legislation
- retirement
- life insurance
For more information on UniSuper, visit the UniSuper website, or call 1800 331 685.
UniActive Gym Membership
UniActive – Memberships, Passes, Personal Training & Fitness Programs
Employees are eligible to Salary Package memberships. For more information please see the UniActive webite.
Application forms are available at UniActive Reception Desk (Building 13). Employees will be required to present their current staff card.
Charitable Contributions- UOW Cares
Workplace giving is a simple and effective way for you to regularly donate to a community group with deductible gift recipient status (DGR) through automated payroll deductions. By contributing to a workplace giving pre-tax program, you receive the benefit of an immediate tax deduction from your fortnightly salary. Staff can find out more information on the UOW Cares website and can commence their deductions by logging onto Web Kiosk.
Fees
Administration fees
Regular administration fees for Salary Packaged items have been removed.
Alteration fees
Employees can alter their salary package i.e. the item or items being packaged, once each year on the anniversary date of the package. Any alterations to a salary package within that one year period may incur a $100 Alteration Fee. In addition, employees will be subject to all terms, conditions and penalties of University suppliers.
The Alteration Fee will not apply to small changes such as a change in bank account details change of address, annual package adjustments etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Once I enter into a Salary Packaging arrangement am I locked into it?
A: Employees can alter their salary package once a year on the anniversary date of the package at no additional administrative cost. Employees will however, be subject to all terms, conditions and penalties of University suppliers and the Salary Packaging Guidelines.
Q: I have a lump sum of money in the bank. Can I salary package this into my superannuation?
A: No. Salary Packaging must be prospective, i.e. money in the bank has already been earned and therefore cannot be salary packaged. Salary Packaging is in anticipation of future earnings.
Q: What should I be aware of if I am thinking about Salary Packaging?
A: All employees are advised to seek financial advice before entering into a Salary Packaging arrangement.
Q: How do I renew my salary package?
A: A salary package will continue unless pre-determined package arrangements have a final date, or the employee requests (in writing) that the arrangement cease.
Q: If I salary package gym fees, child care, parking or a motor vehicle will my compulsory superannuation contributions be impacted?
A: No
Q: Can I salary package more than 1 item?
A: Yes you can. All employees are advised to seek financial advice before entering into a Salary Packaging arrangement.
Q: Can SSS or SASS member’s salary package superannuation contributions?
A: SSS and SASS now accept salary packaged contributions.
Salary Packaging Disclaimer
Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within the Salary Packaging web site, the University of Wollongong and its suppliers will not accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may have been made or to the correctness of the information contained within the Salary Packaging web site.
All employees of the University of Wollongong are advised to seek financial advice before entering into a Salary Packaging arrangement.
The University of Wollongong reserves the right to change, adjust or in any way alter any of the information contained within this document and other documents relating to Salary Packaging.
The University of Wollongong will not provide taxation, financial or legal advice relating to Salary Packaging.
Employees accessing salary packaging services authorise the University to collect outstanding monies for salary packaging services on termination from the employee’s termination payment. Legal action may be taken by the University of Wollongong to collect any outstanding monies owed by an employee or former employee of the University.
It will be understood by the University of Wollongong that any employee who enters into a Salary Packaging arrangement has fully read and understood this disclaimer relating to Salary Packaging and agrees to all terms and conditions of the Salary Packaging Guidelines and all terms and conditions of University suppliers. Salary Packaging arrangements must meet Australian Taxation Office requirements.
The University of Wollongong accepts no responsibility for any loss associated with Salary Packaging by an employee.
The Salary Packaging web site is protected by Copyright and University Policy in relation to intellectual property. The distribution or dissemination of the information contained within the Salary Packaging web site is strictly prohibited without prior permission of the Chief People & Culture Officer or nominee.