National Welfare and Coordination Centre
The National Welfare and Coordination Centre (NWCC) provides a free call 24/7 information and referral service for families of deployed Defence personnel.
The NWCC aim is to provide timely, accurate information, reassurance and support and referral to other family support agencies. The Centre is a welfare and family support service, which is part of the wider Defence family support network.
Providing Support and Information for Defence Families 24 Hours a day
Call Toll Free 1800 801 026
Contact Information:
Telephone - 1800 801 026
FAX - 02 9349 0501
Postal address:
Locked Bag 2000,
Lidcombe NSW 1825
Electronic mail General Information: nwcc.australia@defence.gov.au
Family Information Network for Defence
The Family Information Network for Defence provides information on rates of pay and Conditions of Service. Freecall 1800 020 031
Defence Community Organisation
The Defence Community Organisation provides a comprehensive range of services including social work, family liaison, educational liaison, locality information and information resources (FIND), assistance to families with special needs, spouse employment assistance, childcare and community related programs including projects and research that enhance the well-being of ADF personnel and their families.
The roles and responsibilities of DCO are:
Vision: To be a front foot organisation actively supporting the ADF in its desire to be an employer of choice.
Mission: To build and protect the ADF community and its capability in performing its extraordinary tasks.
On behalf of Command, the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) provides a broad range of individual and program related services to the ADF community - Commanding Officers, uniformed members (including single members) and families. Many of these services aim to support ADF personnel and their families to balance the demands of military service with personal and family commitments. These services and programs are delivered by DCO Area Teams, located on or near major ADF establishments all around Australia.
DCO also provides assistance in the case of accident, illness, hospitalisation, and financial difficulty and in managing casualties and estates at times of bereavement. DCO operates in all locations during normal business hours and in the case of emergencies and crisis can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All members of the ADF and their families are entitled to access the DCO.
The Defence Community Organisation works with:
Navy, Army and Air Force Commanders at all levels
Defence members and their families
Defence Chaplains, Padres and Psychologists
Defence sponsored groups, allied service providers and other agencies at local, state and federal government levels.
DCO is guided by the policy DI(G) PERS 42-1 which can be accessed on the Defence Intranet.
Defence Community Organisation :: Australian Government Department of Defence
Defence Special Needs Support Group
The Defence Special Needs Support Group is the only Australian charity dedicated to providing support, information and assistance to Australian Defence Force families who have someone with special needs.
The Defence Special Needs Support Group (DSNSG) site
contains links to regional and local DSNSG Support Groups and to special needs information at a Local, State, National and International level.
The DSNSG provides information and links to assist Defence Families with any special family circumstances arising out of the following definitions.
What Are Special Needs?
The term special needs basically covers the full range of medical, disability, therapy and education needs. It includes:
intellectual disability
sensory disability
learning disability/difficulty
speech and language disorders
epilepsy
autism spectrum disorder
physical disability
ADD/ADHD
developmental delay
chronic illness
gifted and talented
other special needs
Special needs may refer to any dependant; child or adult.
Defence Families of Australia
Formerly the National Consultative Group of Service Families (NCGSF), Defence Families of Australia is an independant body funded by DPE to represent Defence families. Their website
contains information about the Group, contact information and their newsletter.
The aim of DFA is to improve the quality of life for Defence families by providing a recognised forum for their views and by reporting, making recommendations and influencing policy that directly affects families. ADF families can contact DFA to represent them regarding an individual situation or to advocate an issue concerning many families.
Army Relief Trust Fund
About the ARTF
The Army Relief Trust Fund (ARTF) was established in 1947 to provide benefits for soldiers who have served in the Australian Army and their dependants. The Website can be accessed here.