Employee Benefits and Deductions

As part of our goal to make the Greater Dandenong Council an even greater place to work, Council provides access to a range of great employee benefits.

From discounted memberships for Greater Dandenong leisure facilities to a Computer/Home Office Purchase Scheme and Novated Leasing options. Council also has a Staff Giving Program/Casual for a cause and other payroll deductions you can set up.

There are also a range of employee services and benefits available under the Health and Wellbeing section.

If you have any further questions, please contact Organisational Development on 8571 5372.

Union Membership

Find out which Unions can represent you and how to join

Staff Giving Program/Casual for a cause

The City of Greater Dandenong Staff Giving Program was established by staff and reinforces that Greater Dandenong employees really do care about those less fortunate in our community. It provides simple and effective options to for staff to make contributions to selected aid agencies within the municipality.

How does it work?

Participation is voluntary with donations deducted from your pre-tax salary.

At the end of each financial year, you will be informed of your total salary deduction for taxation purposes. You can choose to contribute to one or more of the selected aid agencies, with 100 per cent of every dollar donated going directly to each agency. Donations are tax deductible unless specified against the agency below. You can also make a ‘one off’ donation at any time simply by completing the Payroll Deduction Form.

Which agencies can I assist?

The program allows you to donate to the below voluntary community groups, as determined by the Trustee Group. Click on each heading for more information on the group.

Afri-Aus Care

Provides support services to migrant youth from African and other CALD backgrounds, and their families, who are at risk or experiencing mental health issues, family and intergenerational conflict or are in the court system due to offences arising from these communities.

Australian Animal Protection Society (Keysborough Animal Shelter)

Cares for and returns animals to their owners or finds them forever homes.

Cornerstone Contact Centre

Assists those who are experiencing hardship and are in need of some extra support. They provide food parcels, a place to belong, social connection and pastoral care.

Dandy Cat Rescue

Rescues unwanted and abandoned street cats and kittens and provides a safe and loving environment while locating their forever homes.

Kindness Community

Provides a free meal service for the disadvantaged in Greater Dandenong every Tuesday from John Hemmings Memorial Park. They provide great food in a caring and uplifting environment. A donation as small as $5 will provide a meal to those in need.

Magical Getaway Foundation

Provides disadvantaged children and their families lifetime changes by funding their first ever holiday.

Springvale Benevolent Society

Assists families in crisis by providing food vouchers, accommodation and travel support.

Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (Annual Christmas Gift Appeal)

Ensures Aboriginal children to have a safe place to live and access to education and healthcare.

Wayss Ltd

Supports those facing homelessness and family violence allowing them to have a safe, secure and affordable home that helps them to live a better life.

We Care Community Services

Provides a range of services and assistance to people facing hardship. Provides food, clothing, blankets and household items free of charge.

How do I sign up?

In order to sign up for either option, you will need to complete the Payroll Deduction Form.

Staff Giving Application Form

Casual for a Cause Scheme Guidelines - 74.5KB

How do I make a contribution?

Simply choose one of the following options.

Option 1: Staff Giving

Non-uniformed staff: if you work on a Friday, you may elect to contribute via Casual for a Cause. Please refer to the Casual for a Cause Guidelines.

Uniformed staff: if you are required to wear a uniform and therefore unable to wear free dress on a Friday, you can participate in Staff Giving.

Option 2: One-off Donation

This option is available if you don't want to make a fortnightly donation to our charities but would instead like to make a one-off donation. You may want to take up this option towards the end of the financial year, as all donations are fully tax deductible.

Child care centre fees

Child Care Centre fees can be salary sacrificed via payroll deductions where the children of employees are being cared for in one of the Council owned Child Care Centres listed below. The children must be those of Council employees and not those of any other family members.

Deductions must commence at the beginning of the pay fortnight and payments will be transferred via payroll deductions fortnightly to the relevant centre.

The amount agreed can only be varied in writing to payroll. Any changes must be received by payroll by the preceding Thursday of the pay fortnight.

If you think you may be eligible please download and complete the below form and forward it to Payroll.

Salary Sacrifice Child Care Centre Fees Form - 24KB

This is a great benefit to current staff that are eligible and it will assist in promoting the City of Greater Dandenong as a great place for people to come and work in the future.

For further information please contact the Payroll team.

Centre	Address	Contact Numbers
Market Street Occasional Childcare Centre	13 Market Street, Dandenong 3175	Phone : 9794 6003 Fax : 9794 6559
Keysborough Community Children’s Centre Inc	364 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough 3173	Phone : 9798 4633 Fax : 9701 6240
Dandenong Day Nursery	18 Brunet Street, North Dandenong 3175	Phone : 9792 1474 Fax : 9793 4023
Noble Park Community Child Care Service Inc	18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park 3174	Phone : 9547 6468 Fax : 9547 4134
Springvale Service for Children	Lightwood Road, Springvale 3171	Phone: 8558 3800

Computer / Home Office Purchase Scheme

As part of our goal to make the City of Greater Dandenong an even greater place to work, Council provides a Computer / Home Office Purchase Scheme in order to make computers and home office equipment affordable for all staff.

Basically, the scheme provides staff with an interest free loan to enable the purchase of a personal computer, laptop / personal digital assistant or chair / furniture for a home office.

All computer purchases will be made directly by the City of Greater Dandenong once quotes have been submitted along with a completed Computer / Home Office Purchase Scheme Agreement form. Staff cannot purchase computers in advance and seek reimbursement from Council.

All repayments are to be made from after tax salary and Council strongly encourages staff to seek independent financial advice prior to entering into a Computer / Home Office Purchase Scheme Agreement.

This scheme may have Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) implications for individuals and may impact on other entitlements an individual has in relation to tax deductions or similar.

Only one Computer / Home Office Purchase Scheme Agreement can be entered into at a time with the value of the loan being a minimum of $400 and a maximum of $2,000. Any remaining amounts beyond that limit will be the responsibility of the staff member.

Council are committed to supporting the local economy and request that staff seek quotes from a computer store within the municipality. This can also include seeking quotes through websites of local businesses.

Please open the Computer / Home Office Purchase Scheme Agreement which provides full details of the scheme including the steps involved and the required form.

Computer Home Office Purchase Scheme - 531.4KB

Computer Home Office Purchase Agreement plus Deduction form - 82.7KB

If you have any further questions please contact Organisational Development on 8571 5372.

Please note that if purchasing through DELL, the employer code is 44420BC8FC27D4.

Novated Leasing

CGD allows all employees to take advantage of the potential tax benefits of novated leasing. This puts you in a position to structure your salary package to best suit your personal requirements and legitimately maximise the tax effectiveness.

Novated leasing enables you to salary sacrifice a portion of your pre-tax income to cover your personal vehicle expenses.The remainder of your salary is taxed and paid to you in the normal way.

Council offers this novated leasing benefit through both SG Fleet, Leasexpress and e-stralian. .

If you’re in the market to buy a new car or e-bike, have recently purchased a car/e-bike, or own your car/e-bike outright, contact SG Fleet, Leaseexpress or e-stralian to find out more about how you could potentially save thousands through a novated lease.

Visit their websites or get in contact with their dedicated novated team to fully understand the benefits.

Motor Vehicle

SG Fleet

Website: www.sgfleet.com.au

Telephone: 1300 138 235

Over the phone appointments: Book a one-on-one phone consultation

Leasexpress Novated Leasing

Website: https://leasexpress.com.au/

Download the information booklet here - 1.01MB

Telephone: 1300 36 36 30

E-Bike

E-stralian provides All-Sorted E-bike Plans that allow you to salary sacrifice an e-bike.

A pedal assisted electric bicycle (e-bike) combines advanced technology, comfort and fun. You ride it just like a normal bicycle but with just that extra push that makes it so much easier. The electrical engine is powered by a rechargeable battery. A single battery charge will get you up to 100 km on most models. Batteries can be charged easily via a standard power outlet, using the adapter that comes with the bike, just like charging your mobile phone or tablet. A 250W electrical engine provides support when you pedal (up to 25 km/h).

Escape

Traffic jams
Parking hassles
Time tables
Packed public transport

Enjoy

Healthy exercise
Fresh air
All-inclusive maintenance and repairs
Tax savings

What does the e-bike benefit Include?

A premium e-bike of your choice
Maintenance and repairs
Insurance against theft and repairs
Route-finding assistance
Bike skills training
An insurer-backed lock and lights

E-stralian is a Melbourne-based start-up that operates in most major city centres. We can help you find the right bike for you by discussing your options and sending you to our local partner shops for test rides.

What is the cost?

Premium e-bikes retail for $3,000 or more, but you could be riding one with an All-Sorted E-bike Plan from just $3 per day.

Use the E-stralian’s on-line Calculator | e-stralian to put in your personal details to receive an indicative quote.

What is the process?

Go to Calculator | e-stralian
Submit an e-bike quote
E-stralian will contact you and support you
Choose your e-bike
E-stralian will provide you a personalised quote
Once you accept the quote, E-stralian will organise your paperwork
E-Stralian confirms pick up of your E-bike
You enjoy riding
When your E-bike plan ends, you can either return the bike or request to purchase it from E-stralian

Contact E-stralian at:
form@e-stralian.com.au
1300 794 652
e-stralian | e-bike leasing and sales

Check out our short videos on the e-bike salary packaging option for employees here.

E-stralian - Employee Brochure - 331KB

E-stralian - Employee FAQ's - 108KB

Parking Options

To provide assistance to staff looking for parking near the Dandenong Civic Centre, and to answer staff questions about parking arrangements and benefits offered by Council, a car parking and frequently asked questions guide has been created. This outlines all of the main parking options, including on and off-site parking and free and paid parking.

Staff and Visitors to the Civic Centre can determine their preferred parking arrangement by referring to this car parking map - 235.4KB

Permanent Parking

Staff Parking Permits at Thomas Street Multi-deck

Permanent staff based at the Dandenong Civic Centre have the option to apply for a permanent car parking.

The permit costs are paid automatically via fortnightly pre-tax deductions (salary sacrifice). Levels 5 and above of the Thomas Street Multi-deck car park are available for Council staff with permits. Levels 3-4 are only available for fleet cars.

For more information on parking availability, please email CSparkingpermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or contact Beverley MacFarlaine or Vicki Asquith.

Car Registration on Permits

Car Registration are not recorded on permits. Permits are allocated on a one-permit-per-vehicle basis. Please ensure the permit is clearly displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle you are using on the day.

Casual Parking in the Multi-deck Car Parks

The Thomas and Walker Street Multi-decks are owned by the City of Greater Dandenong and offer casual parking. The current parking fees are listed on Council's website.

Local Government Employee Health Plan

The Local Government Employee (LGE) Health Plan is available to all Greater Dandenong employees through our health insurer GMHBA.

Employees can save on their health insurance needs through discounted premiums which are made possible by GMHBA applying a higher excess to hospital visits but then, after hospitalisation, the excess is quickly reimbursed to you by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV).

For more information about the scheme, terms and conditions and forms, visit the LGE Health Plan website. You should read all information thoroughly.

To make a claim for in relation to hospital cover download the MAV Hospital Excess Reimbursement claim form - 177.3 KB.

Submit these forms via email to payroll.inbox@cgd.vic.gov.au and include a copy of your GMHBA membership card.

Green Travel Scheme

The City of Greater Dandenong is committed to limiting traffic congestion, car dependency, fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. Council believes it should lead the community in promoting a more environmentally friendly approach to travel and encourages all employees to consider using sustainable modes of transport to get to and from work.

The Green Travel Scheme is designed to recognise and reward those employees who wish to adopt green travel habits. The scheme provides incentives to employees who wish to:

purchase a bicycle for transport to and from work
use public transport
car pool with work colleagues to get to and from work.

The below Green Travel Scheme guidelines contain all the information you need to know about what each incentive offers and how you can apply:

Read further information on parking options including parking permits for the Thomas Street multi-deck car park above.

Greater Dandenong Libraries Membership

Library membership is for everyone and it's free.

Greater Dandenong Libraries offer a wide range of resources, programs and services with two physical branches in Springvale and Dandenong and a third virtual branch, accessible anytime, anywhere.

The library catalogue is available to access collections online and manage your account.

Joining up is easy, just follow the instructions on the membership page and you'll have access to a whole new world.

Become a Member

South East Leisure Membership

Council staff can take advantage of a special CGD staff membership to South East Leisure facilities including NPAC (gym due to open early 2023) and Dandenong Oasis.

Staff pay no joining fee and receive a 25% discount on the following membership options:

All Access membership: This membership gives customers access to all Gym, Group Fitness and Aquatic facilities (excluding Reformer Pilates) at NPAC and Dandenong Oasis - $18.45 per week
Aquatic Access membership: This membership gives customer access to all Aquatic facilities at NPAC and Dandenong Oasis - $12 per week.

To take up the offer, visit South East Leisure’s online membership portal. View the instructional video and use the discount code CGD25 when appropriate.

Alternatively CGD staff can join in-person at NPAC or Dandenong Oasis.

Terms and Conditions:

Only eligible to current CGD staff and volunteers. Family members are not entitled to the discount.
Offer available on a six-month minimum term direct debit membership
All other Terms and Conditions of membership apply.

Amazing choices for lunch

Greater Dandenong is home to some of Melbourne’s greatest places to eat. Known as a destination for food lovers and is home to a large range of cuisines such as Afghan, Indian, African and Polish. With this in mind, exploring and trying the food the area has on offer for lunch is a great perk of working in Greater Dandenong.

Find out about our local offering via the Visit Greater Dandenong section of the website or have a chat with the EDU team.

Internal and External Events

Across the external corporate websites you will find 'What's on' pages showcasing the latest local events.

Internal events are often training or staff run events.

A bonus of having access to this intranet is a combined 'What's on' page which shows internal and external events so you'll never miss an event.

Visit The Source - What's on page