Module: Induction Part 2 - PC Setup

📖 PC - Get your laptop + Salary Sacrifice

Created 11 years ago by Michael Demarco|

Modified 4 months ago by Tanya Leahy

Time to get your laptop up and running

STOP: Before you proceed with setting up your laptop, confirm that you've received your network login and email address from the SysAdmins. If you haven't, give them a shout.

If you are considering salary sacrifice, complete this item. Always remember to get approval before making any purchase.

Otherwise, please skip this item by marking it as complete.

Specs of a developer’s computer

Minimum Recommends
CPU Intel i5 (or similar AMD) Intel i7 (or similar AMD)
RAM 32GB (16GB for non-devs/designers) 32GB(64GB for SSWTV & Designers)
Storage 512GB SSD 1TB SSD
Display Full HD (1080p) Full HD (1080p)
Battery 4+ Hours 4+ Hours
GPU (For SSWTV & Designers) 4GB GPU

 

You may obtain an SSW laptop from a SysAdmin and it will be fit for purpose for the job description with AT LEAST the minimum hardware requirements above.

About Salary Sacrifice

VIDEO: See rule with Stephan’s video explaining more

A salary sacrifice arrangement is where an employee agrees to forgo part of their salary in exchange for the provision of another benefit of the same value. At SSW this is generally the price of a laptop which you will ultimately own.

You are eligible to salary sacrifice 1 laptop per financial year.

The benefits of salary sacrifice:

✅ You pay for the laptop or other agreed devices in pre-tax dollars (meaning a saving of up to approximately 30% on the device)
✅ The deduction from your salary is only the GST exclusive price of the device (saving you another 10%)
✅ You sacrifice the amount in small payments over a chosen time period within a financial year (usually 6 - 12 months)
✅ You get to choose your device - and you own it

  • e.g. You can get something with more grunt, or a MacBook
  • As it is your device, you can manage it yourself (e.g. install whatever you want)
  • SSW provided laptops are fit for purpose - you will have all you need to do your job, but there are some restrictions, e.g. you won't be an admin of the laptop

I understand the following regarding salary sacrifice:

  • The device must be primarily for work-related use;
  • Ensure that accessories are SSW Permitted Accessories for Salary Sacrifice and listed on the same invoice as your device.
  • Extra insurance or warranty purchased is not covered.
  • Salary Sacrifice requests for other equipment (e.g. smartwatches, cameras, headphones, portable monitors etc.) will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Check the "Other Equipment" option on the Salary Sacrifice form.
  • The expected work related usage life of the device is 24 months (per ATO guidelines);
  • Please seek your own independent tax advice.
  • Insurance: Personally owned devices (and devices still being paid off) are not covered by SSW's insurance policies, even when on company premises. We recommend getting your own appropriate insurance to cover your device.
  • For security reasons, you must permit the SysAdmins to install tools they deem necessary. Eg. In the past, we have had a ransomware event and had to install VMWare Carbon Black until we were all clear.
  • SSW will be able to silently install a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution (e.g. Intune) on your laptop to ensure that minimum security baselines are met before connecting to any SSW resources (e.g. Teams, SharePoint, on-premises devices);
  • If my last date of employment is within 12 months from the date of purchase and the full GST exclusive price of the item hasn't been deducted from my salary, the balance will be deducted from my final employee pay and entitlements and is otherwise repayable as a debt; and
  • 1st financial year: Maximum of 1 device in the financial year I started working for SSW;
  • 2nd financial year: Maximum of 2 devices from different categories (e.g. 1 phone and 1 laptop);
  • 3rd financial year: Maximum of 3 devices from different categories (this is the max).

Generally, if you buy a device under $300 (and you use it for work purposes) you can claim the full amount as a deduction in your income tax return. Devices over $300 must be depreciated over it's useful life. Therefore, SSW allows salary sacrificing for devices above $300.

China Office: Salary sacrifice is not applicable in China

France Office: Salary sacrifice is not applicable in France

Request your Salary Sacrifice

Follow the steps below to get your salary sacrifice request approved.

  1. Fill out the following Microsoft Form: Salary Sacrifice
  2. Whether approved or rejected, that will trigger an email like the below to you
  3. Follow the instructions on it

Figure: response to approved salary sacrifice request