The Standby Reserve

The Standby Reserve (SR) is the new name for In-active Reserves. The SR is a component of the Army, holding a pool of trained Reservists, with prior Australian Regular Army (ARA) or Active Reserve (AR) service. SR members have not raining or readiness liability but may volunteer to render Military service and are required to render Continuous Full-Time Service (CFTS) after call-out.

What is my PMKeyS Number?

With the implementation of the Personnel Management Key Solutions (PMKeyS), all ADF members were issued with a new identification number, known as an Employee ID or PMKeyS number. This new number is used for administrative purposes.
Have your PMKeyS number within reach during phone calls to your Career Manager, because you may be asked to provide it.

Until the Defence Force pay system is transferred to PMKeyS all pay related administration and transactions require Regimental Numbers (if you have been issued with one).

How do I transfer to the ARA or AR?

To transfer to the AR or ARA contact the Army National Standby Reserve Agency (ANSRA).
Email: ansra@defence.gov.au

How long may I serve in the Standby Reserve?

You can serve for 5 years in the SR without offering any other form of service. If at the end of this period you have not provided any active service and do not want to transfer to the AR you may be assessed for retention suitability or separated from Army.

What are the advantages of the Standby Reserve?

There are many benefits for you as a Standby Reserve member, including tax free pay, and once you complete 20 days service, for example DA50(4) project work, you will have access to the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme and time counted towards your Long Service Award. In addition there is no requirement for you to be AIRN compliant, or to participate in parading and or training obligations.

What are my responsibilities as a Standby Reserve member?

• You are to advise the Army National Standby Reserve Agency (ANSRA) of any change of address.
• Confirm your contact details to ANSRA annually, utilising the Annual Contact Form. To request this form contact ANSRA via email.
• Advise ANSRA:
  • If you have any change of skills or qualifications.
  • I you are a volunteer for DA 50(4) (project work).
  • If you want to be considered for deployment.
  • If you want to be considered for Continuous Full Time Service (CFTS).
  • If you want to transfer to Active Reserves (AR) or Australian Regular Army (ARA).
  • If you want to discharge.

How much will I be paid?

All Reserve pay is tax free. For further information refer to the link below or contact your regional APA for advice.

Reserve Pay Rates, see page 4

What is AIRN?

Army Individual Readiness Notice (AIRN) is to maintain a minimum level of Individual Readiness (IR) with the Army to ensure Army personnel are capable of being deployed on operations at short notice.

Components of AIRN:

1. Individual Availability - part time members to be available within 28 days of call-out.
2. Employment Proficiency - to be proficient in rank and employment category.
3. Medical Fitness - required to meet the medical employment classification for deployment in their trade or employment category. To be assessed at least once every 12 months.
4. Dental Fitness - part time members are assessed once every 5 years.
5. Physical Fitness - Pass the BFA at least once every 6 months.
6. Individual Weapon Proficiency - Maintain competence and confidence in the use of the F88 Austeyr and to be assessed as competent and safe at least once every 6 months.

Do I have to remain AIRN compliant?

You do not have to be AIRN compliant whilst in the Standby Reserve.
You must have a current MEC to undertake DA50(4) work.
If you transfer to the AR or undertake CFTS you will be required to become AIRN compliant.

ASSG - who are they?

The Active and Standby Staff Group (ASSG) is a Directorate of Career Management Army (CM-A). The ASSG has an establishment of Officers and NCOs who form a national pool of Reserve (Active and Standby Reserve) project staff available to undertake sponsored projects and activities.

ASSG actively seeks to recruit officers and NCOs transferring from the ARA to the Active Reserve or from the Standby Reserve. One of the strengths of the ASSG is that although staff are located across Australia, they can also be tasked anywhere across Australia and overseas.

For more information and jobs available view their webpage

ASSG link to their webpage

Why is ANSRA contacting me now?

All components of the Inactive Reserves and the Army Inactive Emergency Force (AIEF) have now been merged into the Standby Reserves. ANSRA is created to assist with the management and administration of all Standby Reserve members. This is why ANSRA has contacted you to re-establish communication and record your service interests.

How often will ANSRA contact me?

As a regular contact program ANSRA will attempt to contact you on a yearly basis, however if ANSRA is requested to find personnel for a specific project, and your skill sets appear to suit the requirement, you may be contacted with the job offer details.

I'm thinking about transferring to the Active Reserve, what are my responsibilities?

The Active Reserve involves regular attendance of a member who is posted to an established Active Reserve position in a unit or formation. As a Reserve member, and depending on unit requirements, you must parade a minimum of 20 days per year, which may include Tuesday nights, one weekend per month and/or a period of continuous training of 2 weeks. This is generally an annual field exercise, or unit concentration or a training course etc.

Army Reservists can parade up to 100 days per year, plus a possible additional 50 days, subject to approval by a delegate: this may be restricted to 70 days in some units.

Reserve pay is Tax free, unless undertaking Continuous Full Time Service (CFTS). Reserve pay is an exempt form of income for some Centrelink purposes.

Once you have paraded for a minimum period of 20 days you are deemed efficient for that year and entitled to benefits such as:

1. The Health Support Allowance (annual payment of $600)
2. apply for the Defence Assistance Study Scheme (DASS)
3. access to the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS), and
4. time counted towards your Long Service Award

I would like to discharge/resign, what do I do?

Members who join the Australian Regular Army or Active Reserve post 01 Jul 03, these members are obliged to serve a minimum of 5 years service with the Standby Reserve.

To discharge/resign, in the first instance contact your regional APA and make your intent known, or alternatively email ANSRA and we will forward the paperwork to the appropriate APA.