Hon Helen Morton inquires about housing and relocation support for mental health workers in regional WA, with a focus on rental costs, subsidies, and relocation expenses. The response details current arrangements and costs, highlighting subsidies and variable relocation support based on employment agreements.

AnsweredQoN 5568Legislative Council
Asked
17 October 2007
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(a) GEHA housing; and
(b) Department of Health housing?
(2) What is the rental cost to a mental health worker of GEHA housing or Department of Health housing in each of the following locations -
(a) Derby;
(b) Broome;
(c) Karratha;
(d) Geraldton;
(e) Kalgoorlie;
(f) Merredin;
(g) Northam;
(h) Bunbury;
(i) Albany; and
(j) Katanning?
(3) How many mental health workers are renting privately?
(4) Are the rents in (3) subsidised by the Government?
(5) How many mental health workers are currently seeking GEHA or Department of Health housing, and what are their locations?
(6) What relocation expenses are paid to mental health workers who transfer to the following country regions from the Metropolitan area -
(a) Kimberley;
(b) Pilbara;
(c) Goldfields;
(d) Midwest;
(e) Wheatbelt;
(f) Southwest; and
(g) Great Southern?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
14 November 2007
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Health
Response time
28 days
(1) (a) Ten mental health staff in regional areas currently use GEHA housing.
(b) Thirty mental health staff in regional areas currently use Department of Health housing. (16 of the 30 are leased from the private market and made available to staff at subsidised rates).
2. The rental rates are set in accordance with the Government Regional Officers Housing Rental Framework Policy. Rates vary depending on the location, number of bedrooms and the standard of the accommodation.
The rental rates currently payable by staff for three-bedroom accommodation of medium quality are shown for the specified locations:
Cost per week
(a)
Derby
$62
(b)
Broome
$74
(c)
Karratha
$74
(d)
Geraldton
$82
(e)
Kalgoorlie
$82
(f)
Merredin
$70
(g)
Northam
$83
(h)
Bunbury
$85
(i)
Albany
$81
(j)
Katanning
$74
Note: Accommodation is not currently provided to mental health staff in all of the above locations.
3. The private accommodation arrangements of staff include access to private rental accommodation, home ownership, and accommodation that may be provided to their spouse by the spouse's employer. The detail of these arrangements may not necessarily be disclosed during the course of employment, and are not therefore known.
4. The discount rate determined by the rental framework represents a substantial subsidy.
5. There are currently no positions for which the WA Country Health Service is seeking accommodation.
6. (a) - (g) There is no set amount paid to staff in respect of relocation expenses. The Industrial Agreements under which mental health staff members are employed contain provisions relating to relocation and/or transfers, and these differ in detail for nurses, allied health staff and salaried officers, and medical staff. Where the applicable Industrial Agreement does not cover the circumstances of the transfer or engagement, the payment of reasonable expenses is negotiated with the staff member. These expenses would typically include the cost of relocating household and personal effects, and the cost of travel for the employee and their immediate family to the new location.
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