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GPO Box 1272, Melbourne VIC
3001 |
One of the many disciplines eligible for membership of APESMA in accordance with the Professional Scientists rule are Professional Surveyors employed in the private sector. In recent times the Association has become the pre-eminent organisation that represents this group in respect of both professional and industrial matters and is increasing its profile in this area.
Industrial Coverage |
Enterprise
Bargaining  |
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Salaries |
Contract of Employment |
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Conditions
of Employment |
Industrial Representation - Freedom of
Choice |
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Award Respondency |
The Association’s activity on behalf of surveyors saw the creation of the first Victorian Land Surveyors Award in 1987. During this exercise it was necessary to run a major case before the then Industrial Relations Commission of Victoria in order for Professional Surveyors to achieve parity in minimum salary rates with Professional Scientists and Professional Engineers. This alignment of salaries with those of other technology-based professionals has been crucial for the long-term status of the profession.
Since that time the award in Victoria was followed by others in Western Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
These awards operate as a safety net and establish minimum standards.
As of 2000 the main award setting minimum rates of pay and conditions of employment for the Survey Industry on a national level is the Land Surveyors General Award 1998.
Before the correct rate can be established for a particular individual it is necessary to determine the appropriate classification in accordance with the definitions contained in the award. Members can obtain this information from the Land Surveyors Award or their nearest Association office. An electronic copy of the Award is available from the members only section of the website.
Actual Salary
As outlined above, the award salaries are minimum standards only and it is common for Professional Surveyors to be paid in excess of those rates. This is particularly the case for those who have several years experience and/or are employed to work on major construction projects, and/or who are covered by certified agreements. For instance, in this day and age it is usual for the relevant site allowances to be paid.
Further, an increasingly number of Professional Surveyors have an annual review where increases over and above those provided for in awards and agreements can be negotiated. In this regard the information on market rates that can be obtained from the Professional Scientists Remuneration Survey (refer details below) can be invaluable.
Remuneration Survey
The Association conducts a number of remuneration surveys including one for Professional Scientists. This survey, which is conducted annually, is sent to all Professional Scientist members (including Professional Surveyors) and is particularly useful when salary reviews are about to take place. The survey results are based on variables such as levels of responsibility, years of experience, and qualifications etc. Visit the Professional Scientists Remuneration Survey page to download a copy of the most recent version.
In addition to minimum rates, each of these awards contain minimum standards for the survey industry including such provisions as (but not limited to) the following:
To access the relevant federal Surveyors Awards, please visit the Your Pay and Conditions section of the Members Only area of the website. To establish whether this Award applies in your case, contact your local APESMA Branch Office.
In addition to the maintenance of industrial awards, in recent times the Association has been active in enterprise bargaining and has negotiated certified agreements with employers in New South Wales and Victoria. These agreements provide for salary increases over and above those contained in the award and in addition there are often improvements in conditions of employment. One example is the provision in some certified agreements for the employer to take out income protection insurance for all staff.
The Association’s approach to the negotiation of certified agreements is to ensure that members are genuinely consulted and that the final agreement delivers real benefits.
Members who are interested in pursuing enterprise bargaining with their employer should contact the Association for information and assistance.
Professional Surveyors like most technology-based professionals in the private sector are commonly employed on individual contracts of employment. The Association spends a lot of time advising members as to what should be contained in these contracts and this has been a much valued member service.
For detailed salary information and advice regarding conditions of employment members are urged to contact their nearest Association office.
Industrial Representation – Freedom of Choice
Unfortunately from time to time there have been attempts to embroil APESMA members in various industrial disputes that take place in the construction industry. Sometimes there have been instances of where persons have tried to force Professional Surveyors to join other unions in order to be able to work on a particular site. The good news however are that such attempts at coercion are meeting with less and less success and now occur very infrequently.
Such activities are illegal under the Workplace Relations Act 1996, which guarantees Freedom of Association. To attempt to force an employee either to join or not to join a union can result in prosecution. Professional Surveyors have the right to join or not to join APESMA or any other organisation. If anyone tries to tell you different then they are misinformed.
APESMA represents Professional Surveyors by offering a comprehensive range of industrial and member services that cater to the needs of professional employees. In addition we seek to promote issues of concern to the survey industry as a whole through the development of cooperative relationships with employers, professional associations and government bodies. We do this because our number one priority is the promotion of the interests of professional employees. Surveyors who find themselves members of other unions often complain that they are a tiny group whose views are usually ignored. This is because those unions are industry based with professionals constituting only a tiny minority. Therefore, there is no incentive to provide the assistance and services and assistance that are relevant to the needs of the professional group and this is usually accompanied by a basically lack of empathy and understanding.
Professional Surveyors are strongly urged to exercise your freedom of choice by taking out membership of APESMA and if you require further information then please contact your local Association Office.
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