Index
National family helpline to be launched
From 27 February 2012 Defence families seeking advice, support or connection with their local community can call 1800 624 608.
Find out more |
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DCO announces the Defence Family Forum
From 30 April to 2 May 2012, the Defence Community Community Organisation will hold a Defence Family Forum. All Defence families are encouraged to come along.
Find out more and complete the nomination form to register your interest in attending. |
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DCO Deployment Support Book
While periods of separation can be challenging for ADF members and their families, timely preparation can help make the experience more manageable and less stressful. This booklet provides you with information about preparing for deployment, what to expect before, during and after a deployment, and how to access additional support if you need it.
DCO Deployment Support Book 2012 (PDF,1,53MB)
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DCO Workforce Review
The DCO Workforce Review was approved by Deputy Secretary Defence Support Group on 24 November 2011.
This decision means that in 2012 Defence will establish a national intake service so that Defence families can call DCO 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and speak with someone who is trained and qualified to help them. This will mean that families can always speak to someone who can assess their needs, provide them with the information they need and refer them through to the most appropriate service.
DCO will continue to link Defence families with the service that best meets their needs, whether this is an internally provided service or existing community services including specialist services. Centralising national intake will give DCO staff in offices around the country more capacity to engage proactively with families and command. This approach is supported by Defence Families Australia.
DCO will continue to deliver the same services, with some new and improved ways of delivery. Consistent with feedback from families over recent years, including through the ADF Families Survey, our primary goal is to improve access to services so that families can get the assistance they need regardless of where they are located.
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Welcome by the Director General Defence Community Organisation
Welcome to the Defence Community Organisation website.
Defence is dedicated to recognising the very important and valuable role
of ADF members and their families in the achievement of the Defence mission. While carrying out their daily tasks, whether here in Australia or deployed overseas on operations, our personnel need to be assured that their families are well cared for and hav e the support they need.
For this reason Defence has tasked the Defence Community Organisation to support commanders in looking after the welfare of Defence families. We do this by providing a wide range of services that all members and their families can access to help them cope with aspects of the Defence lifestyle which may be new or different to them and may present challenges which they have not previously experienced.
This website is designed to provide you with information on these services and how you may access them. The site also provides contact details for you to seek support and advice, whether you are a commander, serving or family member.
I am confident that your association with the Australian Defence Force will be very happy and rewarding, and I wish you and your family all the very best for the future.
Michael Callan
Director General
Defence Community Organisation
About the Defence Community Organisation
On behalf of Command, the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) provides a broad range of individual and program related services to the ADF community.
These services aim to support ADF families to balance the demands of military service with personal and family commitments.
DCO also provides assistance in the case of accident, illness, hospitalisation or other family crises; and in the event of a casualty or in managing estates at times of bereavement. DCO Area Offices operates normal business hours, but can be contacted 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week in case of an emergency or a crisis.
The standards of service you can expect from us
You can expect us to:
- Respect your privacy and confidentiality, meeting our obligations under the Privacy Act.
- Be courteous and honest in our dealings with you.
- Provide accurate information.
- Be sensitive to issues of cultural diversity, disability and other special needs.
- Act on your request in a professional and courteous manner.
- Respond to phone calls, faxes or emails within 24 hours.
- Reply to correspondence within15 working days.
We provide quality services
Our team provides a quality service based on best practice guidelines. We strive to continually improve our services through quality review processes, research and evaluation.
We support your right to:
- Bring a friend or advocate with you to your appointments
- Discuss with the Area Manager if, for any reason, you want to change your Social Worker or Military Support Officer
- Ask to access information held by Defence Community Organisation about you in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.
You can help us by:
- Treating our staff with courtesy.
- Giving us sufficient and accurate information to enable us to assist you properly.
- Providing feedback and comments on our performance.
If you are satisfied
We would like to hear from you if you are happy with the service you have received. This allows recognition of good service by our staff.
If you are dissatisfied
You have a right to raise concerns at any time if you are dissatisfied with our performance or our services. We take complaints very seriously and have a formal complaints process so we can respond quickly. This also allows us to identify areas where we can improve our services.
If you are dissatisfied with our performance, please raise the issue with the case manager involved. We will immediately begin investigating the matter, and inform you of the outcome.
If you are still not satisfied, you can follow a number of steps:
- Speak with the Area Manager.
- If you are still not satisfied, you can speak or write to the Regional Director.
- If you are still not satisfied, you can write to the Director General.
- You have the option to write to the Minister for Defence or your local Member of Parliament or Senator.
You also have the right to contact the Commonwealth and Defence Force Ombudsman on 1300 362 072.
Contact Details:
We have a network of more than 20 offices located across Australia and
we aim to meet your needs locally.
National Address:
8 Thesiger Court
Deakin ACT 2600
02 6265 8865
Military Health Outcomes Program (MilHOP)
All ADF members are being encouraged to take part In the Military Health Outcomes Program (MilHOP). This research program aims to better inform Defence on the health challenges faced by ADF personnel across the Services and is being run independently by the Centre for Military and Veterans Health (CMVH) to ensure confidentiality of your personal information.
One of the most extensive studies ever conducted on the health and well-being of Australian serving and ex-serving personnel, MilHOP will provide Defence with the information it needs to continue to develop appropriate health services for you and your mates in the future. If you haven’t received your invitation to participate or would like more information about MilHOP, log onto the CMVH website and follow the MilHOP link. Alternatively you can contact the MilHOP team direct on free call number 1800 886 567 or email milhop@cmvh.org.au
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