In addition to a great lifestyle, recognition and the opportunity to travel, the Navy also offers additional benefits such as health care, superannuation, living allowances and extra leave!
Read on to find out about the benefits of working in the Navy.
> Accommodation Assistance
> Service Allowances
> Superannuation
> Health Care
> Training and Education
> Sports and Recreation
> Leave
> Travel
> Family Support
Accommodation
The Navy has two Accommodation options available; Married Quarters and Barrack Accommodation.
Married Quarters, which includes recognised relationships, and Barrack Accommodation rents are set below market prices and depend on the size and age of the property. Availability is subject to rank and tenure. Personnel who are the tenant of a Married Quarter or Barrack Accommodation are not entitled to the Accommodation Allowance.
Personnel who elect to buy or rent their own private accommodation are entitled to receive the Accommodation Allowance.
Accommodation on board ships is provided at no charge and regarded as part of your conditions of service.
During training recruits are required to live on base in Training Quarters, however, after training can elect to live privately or take advantage of the Navy accommodation options.
Service Allowances
As well as basic pay, you can earn additional allowances for specialist skills and duties.
Seagoing allowances are paid when you are at sea. The allowance is paid because of the conditions associated with living on a ship and the time away from home. The rate paid is dependant on the years of sea service completed.
Field allowances are paid if you live and work ‘in the field’. From time to time personnel are posted on peacekeeping or similar missions without access to domestic facilities or services.
The New Zealand Incidentals Allowance (NZIA) and Overseas Incidental Allowance (OIA) are paid as reimbursement for incidental expenses incurred when absent from home, on duty, and not otherwise recoverable i.e. meals or toiletries.
An Operational Allowance is payable if you are posted on a specific mission, which may include working in a hazardous or dangerous area.
Health Care
The Navy has its own medical and dental service as well as a full time civilian physiotherapist. As it is a requirement of the Navy to be medically and dentally fit, health care is provided free of charge for full time personnel. Most health services are available however, referrals are made to public or private facilities where necessary, with most costs covered by the Navy.
Leave
In addition to the statutory and annual leave entitlements, bereavement and compassionate leave may be granted on the death of a close friend or family member, or to deal with any serious or unexpected family situations.
On application you may also be granted leave on full pay to represent New Zealand in cultural, recreational or sporting activities.
Based on your duration of service you may be granted Incentive or Long Service leave. This could be an additional 20 days a year per request!
Sports and Recreation Facilities
All Navy ships and base have facilities for sports and recreational activities. Facilities include a sports complex, swimming pool, three gyms, chapel, marae and library; and your family may also be able to use these facilities. Find out more about the Sports and Recreation Facilities in our Navy Life section.
Superannuation
New recruits can chose between the New Zealand Kiwisaver Scheme and the New Zealand Defence Force Superannuation Scheme. Both comply with the new government superannuation regulations.
Kiwisaver regulations state that an employer must contribute a minimum of 2% towards an employees Kiwisaver policy. An employee can chose to contribute 2%, 4% or 8% of their salary. If the employee elects to join Kiwisaver, the Navy has chosen to contribute 4% irrespective of the employee’s contribution.
With the exception of compulsory enrolment the rules and regulations of Kiwisaver apply to all personnel. Government policy is to make Kiwisaver the primary superannuation programme for the state sector in the future. Find out more about Kiwisaver at www.kiwisaver.govt.nz.
The Defence Force Superannuation Scheme is a complying superannuation fund. Members will essentially gain the same benefits of Kiwisaver, although they will not receive the $1,000 kick start contribution or fee subsidy of $40p.a, but there are other benefits they will receive. They will however receive the full 4% allowance in their base salary.
New recruits who elect not to take advantage of either Kiwisaver or the Defence Force Superannuation Scheme do not receive the 4% taxable allowance in their base salary.
Training and Education
Throughout your time with the Navy any courses you complete could be earning NZQA unit standards, paid for by the Navy. There are also Tertiary Sponsorship schemes available which could pay for your study fees, text books and in some cases your salary while you study full time.
In the Navy you will develop strong organisational and leadership skills and when you specialise in your chosen career path you will gain the relevant professional skills. You also have the opportunity to earn recognised academic qualifications. We hope you stay in the Navy for some time, however, if you move on, you will find that these skills and qualifications will open a wide range of opportunities with civilian employers.
Find out more about the Training and Education opportunities.
Travel
In the Navy you will have the chance to see some amazing places and experience very different cultures. Our ships regularly visit ports throughout New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific and South East Asia. Over recent years we have had ships visit Japan, China, Russia and Arabian Gulf. When in port, and your duties are finished, there is often the opportunity to freely explore the towns.
Navy personnel are also actively involved in peacekeeping on the ground in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Lebanon, Israel, East Timor and elsewhere.
The Airforce runs scheduled flights on a Monday and Friday between Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch. Defence Force personnel, their partners and dependents can apply for free ‘indulgence’ travel, whereby they can occupy seats that would otherwise be vacant. From time to time overseas flights are also available; however, a small charge would apply.
Family Support
As the Navy life is such a unique one, there is the need for more unique services. A Naval Information Bureau has been set up to support your family with information on everyday matters, concerns and interests. Two qualified social workers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on a confidential basis.
Two childcare facilities are available for personnel with children; Tamariki House for children under the age of 2 years and Calliope House for children 2 years and older. There is a waiting list, so contact a recruiter so that they can help you process your request.
Amenities, such as equipment and accommodation, are available for hireage. There are three Navy holiday houses for rent, and equipment such as trailers, kayaks, a boat, barbeques and other amenities can be hired at excellent rates.
Spiritual and cultural support is readily available at the Naval base Chapel and Marae.
Talk to our recruiters if you would like any more information on the benefits available to Navy personnel. 0800 NZ Navy or Contact Us online.