Separations

General

SCMA Separations Section is responsible for managing the separation of soldiers from the Australian Regular Army. Separations process all full time service types, including Gap Year, and can either be Voluntary (initiated by the soldier) or Involuntary (initiated by the Service).

Separations Head Quarters

The HQ cell is comprised of a Major (SO2 Delegate), a Captain (SO3 Separations) and a WO2 supervisor. The HQ is responsible for the decision process for all of the Separations Section (Voluntary, Involuntary and MECRB).

Voluntary Cell

The Voluntary Section cell is comprised of a SGT and 5 APS clerks. The cell is responsible for processing applications for all voluntary separations from the ARA, which include:

1. Claim/request for discharge;
2. Transfer to Active Reserve (ARES)/Standby Reserve (SRES);
3. Compulsory Retirement Age (CRA); and
4. Management Iniated Early Retirement (MIER) applications.

Transfer to the RAN/RAAF is conducted by the Lateral Transfers Cell in Transitions Section at SCMA.

Involuntary Cell

The Involuntary Section is comprised of 1 APS Clk and 2 CPLs. The cell handles Termination Notices (TN), Notification of Positive Test Results (NPTR), AWOL, Formal Warnings/Censures and offences (Military and Civilian). The cell comes under the supervision of the WO2 supervisor.

Medical Employment Classification Review Board (MECRB)

The MECRB Section is comprised of two parts under the oversight of the SO3 MECRB: Pre-MECRB has a SGT supervisor, a CPL and 2 APS clerks and Post-MECRB has 1 APS clerk. The cell is responsible for the conduct of medical employment classification reviews.

Wills and Certificates of Service Cell

All Wills are now held by HQ DCO at Brindabella Park in Canberra. The General Enquiry line is: (02) 6127 2321.

Certificates of Service are raised by Separations Cell. General enquiries are to be passed to the WO2 Spvr.

FATALCAS administration.

FATALCAS notification and administration is initially commenced by the relevant unit.

Separation Health Examination

If no SHE is received by SCMA prior to separation date the separation will be held in abeyance.

IAW with the above references a Separation Health Examination (SHE) is to be completed no more than six (6) months prior and no later than six (6) weeks prior to discharge date in order to maximise the opportunity for clinical care pre-separation. SHE PM532's are to be faxed to SCMA immediately after confirmation by the servicing health centre.

Members that are MEC 301 or greater on Separation Health Examination

Separation of Soldiers who have been MEC 3 for twelve months or greater or who are reclassified MEC 4 at SHE will be held in abeyance and MECRB process will commence IAW DI(A) PERS 124-29.