UNCLASSIFIED

 

DEFENCE SERVICE CONDITIONS MESSAGE

 

ORIG No.  DSC PERS 048/10

DTG:  300446Z NOV 10

 

SUBJ:  ADF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE (COS) – OPERATION ASTUTE
A.        PACMAN CHAPTER 17

B.        DEFENCE SERVICE CONDITIONS <SICNO>WAS/WAO/I3V 240456Z SEP07

 

SITUATION

1.                  THE MINDEF DECLARED SERVICE ON OP ASTUTE AS NON-WARLIKE FROM 12 MAY 06.  THIS MESSAGE REPRESENTS A CONSOLIDATION OF previous mESSAGEs INTO A SINGLE CURRENT OP ASTUTE COS MESSAGE and replaces ref B.

 

OP ASTUTE SPECIFIED AREA

2.         OP ASTUTE specified area comprises East Timor and its territorial waters and superjacent airspace

 

MISSION

3.         TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF THE COS FOR OP ASTUTE. THIS MESSAGE IS TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH REF A.

 

ELIGIBILITY

4.         TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FOLLOWING COS, ADF PERS MUST:

A.        BE ASSIGNED TO OP ASTUTE, AND

B.        BE WITHIN THE OP ASTUTE SPECIFIED AREA.

5.         ADF PERS WHO ENTER THE SPECIFIED AREA BUT ARE NOT ASSIGNED FOR DUTY TO OP ASTUTE ARE ENTITLED TO PEACETIME COS ONLY.

 

DEPLOYMENTS FOR LESS THAN SIX MONTHS

6.         PRE-DEPLOYMENT:

A.        PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE/TRAVEL.  DEPLOYMENTS OF LESS THAN SIX MONTHS DURATION DO NOT ATTRACT A PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE ENTITLEMENT.  SOME PROVISION EXISTS FOR SPECIAL CASES, SEE PACMAN V2-17.6.7.

7.         ON DEPLOYMENT:

A.        REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION.  SVC ON OP ASTUTE IS COVERED UNDER THE MILITARY REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION ACT.

B.        TAXATION.  MEMBERS DEPLOYED ON OP ASTUTE MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTION FROM AUSTRALIAN INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 23AG OF THE ITAA.  SECTION 23AG IS A GENERAL PROVISION THAT EXEMPTS CERTAIN FOREIGN EARNINGS WHERE YOU HAVE ENGAGED IN FOREIGN SERVICE FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN 91 DAYS.  ONCE QUALIFIED THE EXEMPTION APPLIES FROM THE FIRST DAY OF DEPLOYMENT.   IN THE ABSENCE OF QUALIFYING FOR A SECTION 23AG EXEMPTION, MEMBERS MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM THE S79B OVERSEAS DEFENCE FORCES REBATE.  THIS EQUATES TO AUD 338 PLUS 50 PERCENT OF ANY OTHER ENTITLED REBATES PER ANNUM ON A PRO RATA BASIS. 

C.        DEPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE (DA).  THE APPROVED RATE OF DA IS DOLLARS NINETY FOUR CENTS FIFTY THREE ($94.53).  DA CONTINUES TO BE TAX EXEMPT. THE ALLOWANCE IS PAYABLE FOR LEAVE ACCRUED INSIDE THE OP ASTUTE SPECIFIED AREA. 

D.        OTHER ALLOWANCES.  OTHER SALARY RELATED ALLOWANCES INCLUDING SEPARATION, SPECIAL FORCES DISABILITY, FLYING, SEAGOING, HARD LYING AND FIELD ALLOWANCES ARE PAYABLE IAW NORMAL POLICY (THAT IS, PAYABLE IF THE PRESCRIBED CONDITIONS FOR PAYMENT ARE MET I.E. ACTUALLY LIVING IN THE FIELD). CJOPS REMAINS THE APPROVING AUTHORITY OF FIELD ALLOWANCE FOR ALL DEPLOYED PERS.

E.        MEALS AND ACCN.  IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT MEALS AND ACCN WILL BE PROVIDED AT CWEALTH EXPENSE.  MEMBERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN MEALS MAY QUALIFY FOR THE PAYMENT OF TA (INCLUDING INCIDENTALS) IAW NORMAL POLICY.  MEMBERS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR CHARGES FOR MEALS AND ACCN PROVIDED IN THE OP ASTUTE SPECIFIED AREA.  ACCN CONTRIBUTIONS FOR MWODS LIVING IN OR LIVING OUT WHO RETAIN ACCN IN AUSTRALIA WILL BE WAIVED IAW NORMAL PROVISIONS.

F.         OTHER ALLOWANCES RELATING TO LONG AND SHORT-TERM NON-OPERATIONAL DUTY OVERSEAS ARE NOT PAYABLE.

G.        ADDITIONAL RECREATION LEAVE (ARL) FOR NON-WARLIKE SERVICE.  IN ADDITION TO BASIC RECREATION LEAVE PERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ARL FOR NWL SVC AT A RATE OF TEN DAYS PER YEAR ON A PRO RATA BASIS INSIDE THE SPECIFIED AREA.

H.        OTHER LEAVE.  FIELD LEAVE, FLYING LEAVE OR SEAGOING LEAVE MAY BE GRANTED IAW PACMAN.  AS MEMBERS DEPLOYED ON NON-WARLIKE OPERATIONS ARE IN RECEIPT OF DA AND ARL, ERL IS NOT TO BE GRANTED FOR THE SAME PERIOD.

I.          RELIEF OUT OF COUNTRY TRAVEL FARES ASSISTANCE (ROCTFA).  DEPLOYMENTS OF LESS THAN SIX MONTHS DO NOT ATTRACT ROCTFA.

J.         COMMUNICATIONS. ACCESS TO TELEPHONE AND MAIL SERVICES IS NOT A COS.  MEMBERS MAY BE PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELEPHONE AUSTRALIA.  THE FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF THESE CALLS IS TO BE SET BY HQJOC.

K.        HONOURS AND AWARDS.  INFORMATION REGARDING MEDALS HAS BEEN ADVISED SEPARATELY.

 

DEPLOYMENT FOR SIX MONTHS OR MORE

9.         THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS APPLY TO PERSONNEL DEPLOYING FOR  SIX MONTHS OR MORE.  (NOTE, REMOVALS OR TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FOR EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT MUST RESULT FROM A NEED THAT EXTENDS FOR THE DURATION, OR AT LEAST A SIGNIFICANT PORTION, OF THE MEMBERS ABSENCE ON DEPLOYMENT.  THERE MAY BE CASES WHERE CIRCUMSTANCES ARISE WHICH COULD NOT HAVE BEEN FORESEEN BY THE FAMILY AND REQUIRE FAMILY SUPPORT.  THESE SITUATIONS WOULD BE LIMITED TO COMPELLING CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS THE ILLNESS OF DEPENDANTS OR SIMILAR).

10.       PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE UP TO SEVEN DAYS INCLUDING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS MAY BE GRANTED BY UNIT COMMANDERS DEPENDING ON THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.   A MEMBER MAY BE GRANTED FREE TRAVEL WITHIN AUSTRALIA TO THEIR HOME LOCATION WHEN PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE IS GRANTED.  IF A RECREATION LEAVE FREE TRAVEL ENTITLEMENT EXISTS THIS IS TO BE USED IN LIEU.  AS AN ALTERNATIVE, SPOUSES, CHILDREN, PARENTS, SIBLINGS OR ANY OTHER PERSON(S) NOMINATED BY THE MEMBER MAY BE APPROVED TO BE CONVEYED AT PUBLIC EXPENSE TO THE MEMBERS LOCATION PROVIDING THE COST DOES NOT EXCEED THAT WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPENDED IF PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE AND PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE TRAVEL HAD BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE MEMBER.

 

Temporary REMOVALS FOR MWD

11.       TEMPORARY REMOVALS FOR MWD. THE FOL OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE (NORMALLY THERE MUST BE A REMAINING DEPLOYMENT TENURE OF SIX MONTHS AT THE TIME THE REMOVAL IS EFFECTED):

A.        LEAVE DEPENDANTS IN CURRENT POSTING LOCATION AND REMAIN IN EXISTING SERVICE RESIDENCE OR CONTINUE TO RECEIVE RA, AS APPLICABLE.

B.        WHERE THE RELEVANT DELEGATE UNDER PACMAN CLAUSE 17.7.6 IS SATISFIED (AND IF NECESSARY IN CONSULTATION WITH THE UNIT OC/CO) THERE IS A COMPELLING NEED FOR SPT TO THE MEMBERS DEPENDANT(S) FROM EXTENDED FAMILY, THE MEMBER IS ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY REMOVAL OF DEPENDANT(S) TO AN ELECTED DESTINATION WITHIN AUSTRALIA WHERE FAMILY SPT IS AVAILABLE AND RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING REMOVAL ENTITLEMENTS:

(1).      RELOCATION OF DEPENDANTS.  WHERE A TEMPORARY REMOVAL ENTITLEMENT EXISTS THEN, ONCE DURING THE DEPLOYMENT, THE MEMBER MAY RELOCATE DEPENDENT(S) AND THEIR PERSONAL EFFECTS AND ONE MOTOR VEHICLE TO A LOC WHERE EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE AND CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A HOME IN POSTING LOCALITY.    NO HOUSING ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE IN THE NEW LOC.  AN OFFSET OF THIS ENTITLEMENT IS AVAILABLE WHERE UP TO TWO EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS MAY TRAVEL TO THE POSTING LOC.  COST OF OFFSET IS LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT OF NORMAL DEPT LIABILITY FOR REMOVAL OF MEMBERS DEPENDANTS TO THE LOC WHERE EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT WAS AVAILABLE. OR

(2).      LIMITED REMOVAL OF THE DEPENDANTS PERSONAL EFFECTS (EXCLUDING FURNITURE) AND ONE MOTOR VEHICLE TO AN ELECTED DESTINATION.  STORAGE OF FURNITURE AND EFFECTS IN A DHA APPROVED STORAGE FACILITY AT POSTING LOC.  ON RETURN FROM DEPLOYMENT, A SUBSEQUENT REMOVAL OF THESE EFFECTS FROM THE ELECTED DESTINATION AND STORAGE FACILITY TO THE MEMBERS RESIDENCE. OR

(3).      WHERE SUITABLE HOUSING IS NOT AVAILABLE IN FAMILY SPT LOC, FULL REMOVAL TO AN ELECTED DESTINATION AND ON RETURN FROM DEPLOYMENT, A SUBSEQUENT REMOVAL FROM THE ELECTED DESTINATION TO THE MEMBERS POSTING LOC.

(4).      TEMPORARY ACCN ALLOWANCE (TAA). TAA ASSISTS A MEMBER AND THEIR DEPENDANTS WHO MUST LIVE IN TEMP ACCN AND ASSISTS WITH ACCN AND CERTAIN OTHER COSTS. THE MEMBER WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO CONTINUE TO PAY THEIR HOUSING CONTIRBUTIONS. A MEMBER'S DEPENDANTS MAY BE ENTITLED TO TAA IF THEY ARE ENTITLED TO A REMOVAL AT COMMONWEALTH EXPENSE.  MEMBERS ARE TO CONTACT DHA FOR FURTHER GUIDANCE.

(5).      IN CASES WHERE THE MEMBER IS APPROVED TO UNDERTAKE A REMOVAL, EITHER TO STORE OR TO THE ELECTED DESTINATION, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE MEMBER WILL BE ALLOCATED THE SAME ACCN ON RETURN TO THE OLD POSTING LOC.

(6)       THE REMOVAL OPTION IS PROVIDED TO ASSIST A MEMBER'S DEPENDANTS TO OBTAIN SUPPORT FROM EXTENDED FAMILY DURING THE PERIOD OF DEPLOYMENT ONLY.  ON COMPLETION OF THE DEPLOYMENT DEPENDANTS ARE EXPECTED TO EITHER RELOCATE TO THEIR PREVIOUS RESIDENCE LOCATION TO THE MEMBER DEPLOYING OR THE MEMBER'S NEW POSTING LOCALITY.  IF THE DEPENDANTS DECLINE TO RELOCATE THEN HOUSING ASSISTANCE AT THE CHOSEN LOCATION CEASES AND THE MEMBER'S CATEGORISATION REVERTS TO MWOD.  NO OTHER FORMS OF REMOVAL OR HOUSING ASSISTANCE ARE AVAILABLE FOR DEPENDANTS AT THE LOCATION OF EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT.

C.        ALL COSTS FOR REMOVAL, STORAGE AND INSURANCE OF STORED ITEMS (IN A DHA APPROVED STORAGE FACILITY) WILL BE MET AT PUBLIC EXPENSE FOR THE DURATION OF THE DEPLOYMENT.

D.        SUBJECT TO OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT, TRAVEL FOR THE DEPENDANTS AND THE MEMBER TO THE ELECTED DESTINATION IN AUSTRALIA AND RETURN TRAVEL FOR THE MEMBER BACK TO THE CONCENTRATION AREA BY THE ENTITLED MEANS.

E.        ON RETURN FROM THE DEPLOYMENT, THE MEMBER MAY RECEIVE TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FROM THE POINT OF ENTRY BACK INTO AUSTRALIA TO THE ELECTED DESTINATION AND SUBSEQUENT TRAVEL FOR THE MEMBER AND DEPENDANTS TO THE MEMBERS POSTING LOC BY THE ENTITLED MEANS.

F.         DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCE.  FOR OPTIONS 11.B.1 AND 11.B.2, REMOVAL TO AND FROM FAMILY SPT LOC IS TO COUNT AS ONE COMPLETE REMOVAL FOR DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCE PURPOSES.

G.        STORAGE COSTS OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOSS ON SALE OF ONE VEHICLE AND ONE TOWABLE ITEM.

H.        RA FOR DEPENDANTS RESIDING IN ACCN AT THE ELECTED DESTINATION DURING THE PERIOD OF DEPLOYMENT, AND ANY OTHER NORMAL REMOVAL ALLOWANCE WITHIN AUSTRALIA AS APPLICABLE.

12.       FOR SINGLE PARENT MWD WHO DEPLOY OR WHERE BOTH PARENTS ARE ADF MEMBERS AND ARE DEPLOYED AT THE SAME TIME, A REMOVAL OF FURNITURE AND/OR EFFECTS TO STORAGE WILL BE APPROVED, IF REQUIRED.  THIS INCLUDES TRAVEL OF CHILDREN TO AN APPROPRIATE LOC WITHIN AUSTRALIA FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXTENDED FAMILY SPT AND STORAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLE AND A TOWABLE ITEM.

13.       REMOVAL/TRAVEL PROVISIONS ARE LIMITED TO TRAVEL WITHIN AUSTRALIA.  IF THE REQUIREMENT FOR EXTENDED FAMILY SPT IS RECOGNISED AND A MEMBER OR DEPENDANT REQUESTS TRAVEL TO AN OVERSEAS DESTINATION, ASSISTANCE IS LIMITED TO THE COST OF TRAVEL BY THE ENTITLED MEANS TO AND FROM THE INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL IN AUSTRALIA NEAREST THE MEMBERS LOC OF POSTING FROM WHICH A FLIGHT DEPARTS TO THE OVERSEAS LOCALITY.

 

ACCM / REMOVAL ASSISTANCE FOR MWOD and mwd(u)

14.       MWOD AND MWD(U) ARE REQ TO ELECT TO EITHER:

A.        VACATE THEIR LIVING IN ACCN (LIA) OR RENTAL ALLOWANCE (ra) ACCN FOR THE PERIOD OF THEIR DEPLOYMENT, OR

B.        RETAIN THEIR LIA OR RA ACCN FOR THE PERIOD OF THEIR DEPLOYMENT.

15.       MEMBERS WHO ELECT TO RETAIN THEIR lia or ra ACCN while deployed ARE NOT REQ TO CONTINUE TO PAY THEIR NORMAL RENT CONTRIBUTION.

16.       MEMBERS WHO occupy lia MAY STILL BE REQ TO VACATE THEIR ACCN FOR OPERATIONAL REASONS.

17.       MEMBERS WHO ELECT TO RETAIN THEIR ACCN MUST PROVIDE NOTICE IN WRITING (DEPLOYMENT HOUSING RETENTION FORM) AS FOL:

A.        LIA – TO CO OR OC WITH A COPY TO RELEVANT ACCN ADMIN CELL AND PAY ADMIN CELL. OR

B.        RA ACCN - TO LOCAL DHA HOUSING MANAGEMENT CENTRE.  DHA MUST ALSO BE NOTIFIED IF THE MEMBER ARRANGES FOR A HOUSE-SITTER TO LIVE IN THEIR RA ACCN OR IF THE MEMBER SUB-LETS THE RA ACCN WHILE THEY ARE ABSENT ON DEPLOYMENT.  MEMBERS WHO ELECT TO SUB-LET THEIR RA ACCN WILL HAVE THEIR RA REDUCED BY THE VALUE OF THE SUB-LEASE.

18.        MEMBERS WHO ELECT TO RETAIN THEIR LIA OR RA ACCN WHEN DEPLOYED SHOULD CHECK WITH THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY TO ENSURE THEY HAVE ADEQUATE COVER DURING THEIR ABSENCE.  THEY SHOULD ALSO CHECK WITH THEIR LANDLORDS WHETHER THERE IS ANY CLAUSE IN THEIR TENANCY AGREEMENT WHICH MAY LIMIT THE PERIOD FOR WHICH THE PREMISES MAY BE LEFT UNOCCUPIED.

19.       MEMBERS WHO ELECT TO VACATE THEIR LIA OR RA ACCN ARE ENTITLED TO:

A.        REMOVAL TO STORE OF FURNITURE AND EFFECTS. 

B.        REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS RESULTING FROM EARLY TERMINATION OF LEASE.  AND

C.        STORAGE OR LOSS ON SALE OF ONE VEH AND ONE TOWABLE ITEM.  STORAGE OF MOTOR VEH AND TOWABLE ITEM SHOULD BE ARRANGED ON BASE WHEREVER PRACTICAble.  WHERE THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, STORAGE MAY BE ARRANGED AT PUBLIC EXPENSE at A dha approved storage facility.

20.       MEMBERS VEH MAY BE REMOVED TO AN ELECTED DESTINATION FOR STORAGE (iE. PARENTS LOCALITY).  IF THIS OCCURS, THE MEMBER MAY BE REIMBURSED THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REMOVING a VEH TO AND FROM THE ELECTED DESTINATION.  THE LIMITATION OF COSTS IS UP TO THE VALUE OF THE STORAGE OF THE VEH in a DHA approved facility FOR THE DURATION OF THE DEPLOYMENT.

21.       APPLICATIONS FOR CWEALTH FUNDED REMOVALS AND STORAGE MUST BE SUBMITTED TO DHA FOR CONSIDERATION.

22.       DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCE.  REMOVAL TO AND FROM STORE IS TO COUNT AS ONE COMPLETE REMOVAL FOR DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCE PURPOSES.

 

RELIEF OUT OF COUNTRY TRAVEL FARES ASSISTANCE (ROCTFA)

23.       FOR DEPLOYMENTS OF SIX MONTHS OR LONGER, ROCTFA MAY BE APPROVED SUBJECT TO OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS AND IS PROVIDED THE MEMBER PLANS TO BE OUTSIDE THE SPECIFIED AREA FOR AT LEAST SEVEN CONSECUTIVE DAYS.  ONE ROCTFA ENTITLEMENT MAY BE APPROVED WHERE DEPLOYMENT IS SIX MONTHS BUT LESS THAN NINE MONTHS, TWO ROCTFA WHERE THE DEPLOYMENT IS NINE MONTHS BUT LESS THAN TWELVE MONTHS AND THREE ROCTFA WHERE THE DEPLOYMENT IS TWELVE MONTHS BUT LESS THAN FIFTEEN MONTHS  REFER TO PACMAN V2-17.7.22 FOR PERIODS EXCEEDING FIFTEEN MONTHS

24.       THE ROCTFA DESTINATION FOR MWD WHO WISH TO RETURN TO AUSTRALIA IS LIMITED TO THE PREVIOUS POSTING LOC OR ALTERNATIVELY THE LOC TO WHICH THE FAMILY HAS BEEN MOVED AT PUBLIC EXPENSE.  FOR MWOD WHO WISH TO RTA THE DESTINATION IS LIMITED TO THE PREVIOUS POSTING LOC OR ALTERNATIVELY THE REPORTED LOC OF THE NEXT OF KIN FOR RECREATION LEAVE FREE TRAVEL PURPOSES.   THERE IS NO OFFSET FOR THIS ENTITLEMENT EXCEPT WHERE THE PERIOD OF DEPLOYMENT IS TWELVE MONTHS OR MORE.  PERS DEPLOYED FOR TWELVE MONTHS OR MORE MAY APPLY TO COMBINE TWO TRIPS TO AUSTRALIA THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO AND USE AS AN OFFSET AS DESCRIBED IN PACMAN V2-17.7.22-5.  

 

COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS

25.       EXCHANGE PERS.  PERS FROM OTHER FORCES ON EXCHANGE WITH THE ADF AND DEPLOYED TO OP ANODE HAVE NO ENTITLEMENT TO THE ADF DEPLOYMENT PACKAGE.

26.       THIS SIGNAL AND SUBSEQUENT SIGNALS WILL BE POSTED ON THe pSPG page at http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/ AND ON THE INTERNET AT HTTP://WWW.DEFENCE.GOV.AU/DPE/PAC. (ALL LOWER CASE).

27.       QUESTIONS.  ALL QUERIES REGARDING COS ENTITLEMENTS ARE TO BE FORWARDED THROUGH THE NORMAL CHAIN OF COMMAND.

 

 

UNCLASSIFIED