Index

• What is SWAPP SELECT
• Eligibility
• Eligibility Process
• Key Performance Indicators(KPIs)
• Tips on how to use a Professional Employment/Resume Provider
• Recently used provider list
• Professional Employment Services Assistance
• Personalised Resume Preparation
• Training
• Professional Registration Expense Payment
• Reimbursement of Child Care Costs
• Internet Assistance in Very Remote Localities
• SWAPP FAQs
• Useful Links

What is SWAPP SELECT

The Defence Service Workforce Access Program for Partners (SWAPP SELECT) provides services and initiatives to assist partners of ADF members in Australia to become job ready and access the workforce in their new posting localities. These initiatives can be used individually or, in some cases, in conjunction with each other.

If you are a recognised partner of an ADF member, SWAPP SELECT may be able to provide assistance to enable you to find employment in a new posting location either before relocation or after you have settled in. To access the employment assistance available, follow the initiative below or contact your local DCO Area Office.

Fringe Benefit Tax Implications

All assistance provided under SWAPP SELECT will attract Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) apart from the use of the Professional Resume Builder CD which is available for ADF partners to borrow through their local DCO office.

Defence pays the FBT to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).  If the total cumulative value of all the ADF member’s fringe benefits provided by Defence exceeds the $2000 threshold, during the FBT year (1 April to 31 March), it will be reported on the ADF member’s payment summary in the  Reportable Fringe Benefits Amount (RFBA).

The RFBA amount is not used to calculate liability for income tax, however, the amount is used to calculate the ADF member’s eligibility for benefits such as family payments and liabilities for HECS payments, Medicare levy and child support obligations.

As RFBA amounts can be significant, you should carefully check the cost of the SWAPP SELECT initiative/s you wish to undertake and the impact this may have on your family before committing yourself to undertake any program.

Eligibility

To receive assistance under SWAPP SELECT the following eligibility criteria must be met:

• You must be recognised by Defence as a partner of an ADF member;
• Defence must have relocated you to a new posting locality upon the posting of the ADF member, or on marriage or recognition of an interdependent relationship on or after 1 July 2003 ;
• You must be seeking immediate employment;
• Assistance under SWAPP SELECT must generally be used within two years of moving to the new posting locality;
• Assistance is only available once per posting locality; and
• Where you are also an ADF member or a reservist on continuous full-time service (CFTS) no entitlement to SWAPP SELECT services exists; and
• Assistance is not available to partners of ADF members who are relocating on discharge

The SWAPP SELECT Guidelines outlines all of the initiatives and eligibility criteria.  It is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the SWAPP Guidelines (Word,98k) prior to applying for the SWAPP SELECT Program.

Eligibility Process
 
The eligibility requirements and application processes for each SWAPP SELECT initiative varies slightly.  The approval process is detailed on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 406k) for each initiative.

Assistance under SWAPP SELECT can only be approved on receipt of the application form at DCO HQ.  Once eligibility is confirmed, a letter will be forwarded to you as the applicant.  Once eligible, Defence becomes liable for payment of the agreed amount. Defence pays for the service regardless of whether the initiative/s are commenced or completed. 

It is your responsibility to research the SWAPP SELECT initiatives and decide which ones are the most suitable for your locality and needs.

Where appropriate, seek assistance from your professional service provider.  Complete, sign and select the relevant initiative/s on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 406k)
 At this point, the you and the ADF member are required to sign off on your acceptance and understanding of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) implications on your application.
      
The application should be faxed/emailed or posted together with the quotes to DCO HQ for eligibility prior to receiving any services. 
Funding assistance will not be given in retrospect.

Payment or Reimbursement

There are two methods of payment available: 

• Arrange for your professional service provider to send a valid tax invoice directly to  Defence, to pay the service provider by credit card or into their bank account already identified by the Defence accounting system;  or

• Submit your receipt and reimbursement will be deposited directly into your ADF partner’s bank account as identified by the Defence accounting system.

Key Performance Indicators(KPIs)

SWAPP SELECT aims to provide a valuable service to its clients,   As part of managing SWAPP SELECT the following processes and procedures are applied ensuring that the needs of ADF partners are met in an efficient and effective manner.

We endeavour to answer telephone queries in relation to SWAPP SELECT within 24 hours;
Applications are to be processed within 24 – 48 hours of receipt of paperwork; and
Payments and Reimbursements are processed on a weekly basis

Professional Employment Services Assistance

Funding of up to a maximum of $2,500 is available for an applicant to choose a professional employment services agency to provide some or all of the following assistance:

• Career transition assessment and advice;
• Job search techniques and strategies;
• Preparation and presentation for interview;
• Application and selection criteria preparation;
• Identifying training options; and
• Identifying job options.

Applicants should contact the service providers in their area to determine what suits their needs.  A quote from a professional employment services provider of your choice must be attached with your application.

After an initial interview with the partner, the provider will assess what type of employment the partner is seeking, if this is suitable to the partner’s background/needs and if there are any employment opportunities within the locality.  If training is required to assist the partner in gaining employment, it must be recommended by the Professional Employment Service Provider (refer to recommendation template on application form for guidance if required).  Please note that a Professional Employment Service Provider is not a training provider such as a TAFE College, as they will only recommend their own training whether it is suitable to the partner or not.
To apply for SWAPP SELECT assistance, follow the instructions on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 406k) attached.

Tips on how to use a Professional Employment/Resume Provider

For more information on Tips when choosing your Professional Employment / Service Provider, please click on the following link ( Word, 34k)

Recently used provider list (Word,32k)

Personalised Resume Preparation

Funding assistance is available to a maximum of $500 (GST inclusive), for a personalised resume to be prepared by a professional service provider. The applicant can select a professional service provider who best meets their needs and arrange to have their resume prepared.   A quote from the service provider choice must be attached with the application.
To apply for assistance with the resume preparation initiative, follow the instructions on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 406k) attached.

Professional Resume Builder

Training

Applicants may be eligible for assistance with training costs up to a maximum of $2500 (GST Inclusive) to enhance their prospects of gaining immediate employment.
Training cannot be elected by an applicant.  It must be recommended through a Professional Employment Service Provider (refer to recommendation template on application form for guidance if required) or be a mandatory training requirement under PREP or Directly Linked Employment Offer initiatives.  Do not commit to any enrolments and/or expenditure prior to eligibility. Training must be completed within 12 months (inclusive of University) and can be either:

• As identified by your Professional Employment Services provider
• Directly linked to employment offer; or
• Self Employment

To apply for assistance with the training initiative, follow the instructions on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 406k) attached.

Professional Registration Expense Payments

Applications are assessed on the proven inability to transfer the registration /course to the new locality and subsequent requirement to re-register and/or to complete the same course. To receive assistance an applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:      

• Re-register in the same profession 
• Undertake a mandatory short upgrade course (no longer than 12 months duration) to obtain the same employment held in the previous location
• Re-register in the same course as commenced in the losing locality  

PREP can also be used in conjunction with an overseas posting.

Since its inception, the PREP initiative has assisted partners of ADF members with registration expenses in many occupations, such as:

• Nurse
• Teacher
• Veterinary surgeon
• Court security officer
• Health professional
• Hospitality worker
• Accountant

Assistance provided with professional upgrade courses has included the following examples:

• First aid certificate
• Professional competency certificate
• Aged care certificate
• Responsible alcohol handling

To apply for assistance with PREP, follow the instructions on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 406k) attached.

Reimbursement of Child Care Costs

Reimbursement of Child Care Costs

Assistance for an amount of up to $250 (GST Inclusive)per child may be available to help with childcare costs while you undertake job search activities. These activities may include, but are not limited to:

• participating in training
• preparing job applications
• attending interviews
• personalised resume preparation

Reimbursement of child care costs can be used in conjunction with other SWAPP SELECT initiatives. Eligibility must be sought prior to submitting receipts for the initiative Applicants are entitled to submit a number of receipts for child care until they reach the $250 limit per child.

Child care does not include preschool or kindergarten fees and the provision is not available for children already in full time or regular child care.
To claim your reimbursement, please follow the instructions on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 406k) attached. 

Internet Assistance in Very Remote Localities

Reimbursement is available up to a maximum of $60.00 per month paid quarterly when posted to a very remote locality. Software, hardware or education costs are not covered.  The Internet access costs must be directly associated with enrolment in distance learning.  The following is a list of the posting locations that have been identified as residing in Very Remote Locations (VRL):

• Katherine
• Thursday Island (including Horn Island)
• Weipa (including RAAF Scherger)
• Broome
• Carnarvon
• Derby
• Exmouth (Including Learmonth)
• Karratha (including Dampier)
• Kununurra
• Newman
• Port Hedland (including South Hedland)
• Tom Price

Frequently Asked Questions

Following is a list of common questions and answers regarding SWAPP SELECT services:

Q. Can I apply for SWAPP SELECT as the partner of an overseas Defence Force member?
A. No. SWAPP is only available to the partners of Australian Defence members.

Q. Can I apply for SWAPP SELECT when my ADF partner is posted overseas?
A. SWAPP SELECT is only available to spouses when members are posted within Australia. However the Professional Registration Expense Payment (PREP) initiative is available.

Q. Can I apply for SWAPP SELECT if we have been relocated on discharge?
A. No.

Q. My approved training costs include text books are these costs covered under SWAPP SELECT?
A. Yes, as long as the text books are a mandatory requirement of the course.

Q. I am a spouse and a reservist can I apply for SWAPP SELECT?
A. Yes, as long as you are not on continuous full time service.

Q. Does SWAPP SELECT guarantee me a job?
A. No. SWAPP SELECT assists partners to access the workforce, it cannot guarantee employment.

Q. Can I apply for SWAPP SELECT if I am already employed?
A. Yes. The Program allows spouses to enhance their skills to enable them to find more suitable job opportunities in their new posting locality.

Q. What do I do if I am unhappy with my chosen service provider?
A. As it is the provider of your choice and they are not contracted to Defence, we ask that you liaise with your provider to reach a suitable solution. Please advise the Executive Officer of any outcomes.

Q. Do I have to fill in another application form each time I select a new SWAPP SELECT initiative?
A. No, please telephone the Executive Officer on 02 6127 2305 for approval/required information.

Q. I recently completed a training course and wasn’t aware of the SWAPP SELECT Program. Can I claim my payment for these fees?
A. No, as per the SWAPP SELECT Guidelines (Word, 98k)the Program does not accept retrospective payments.  

Useful Links

There are a number of web sites which can assist when searching for work, take the time to visit them and contact or register with those that best meet your personal requirements. Some of these employment sites are listed below for your easy reference.

Defence Civilian Recruitment
This website allows easy access to positions advertised by the Department of Defence, including Duty Statements and Selection Documentation. It also contains additional information to assist in preparing applications and submissions.

Jobsearch

Commonwealth Public Service Gazette

Australian Defence Force Recruiting

http://www.mycareer.com.au/

http://www.careerone.com.au

http://www.employmentguide.com.au