Annual Report 2003-04

Performance against People Matter Priorities for 2003-04

This section reports on performance against the priorities included in the People Matter sections of the Portfolio Budget Statements 2003-04 and in the Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements 2003-04. The people goal is to ensure that Defence has the right ADF and civilian personnel with the right skills and experience to provide the capabilities we need to undertake complex military operations.

Implement Agreed Recommendations from the Strategic Workforce Planning Review

Achieved

Implementation started in mid-2003 and will continue in 2004-05. Key results so far include new processes to address workforce shortfalls in critical employment categories and to ensure better workforce planning for major acquisition projects in the Defence Capability Plan.

Implement Initiatives to Improve Retention of Military Personnel

Substantially Achieved

The continuing focus on retention issues resulted in maintenance of the overall separation rate of 10 per cent from a high of approximately 14 per cent in 2000-01.

Implement Strategies to Target Shortages in the ADF Workforce

Achieved

In early 2004, the ADF tertiary recruitment campaign targeted university students for direct entry, graduate and undergraduate entry. A technical trades campaign in mid-2004 resulted in a significant number of inquiries and applicants. Following a successful trial, the project to centralise Australian Defence Force Academy officer selection boards to improve officer recruitment was fully implemented. Recruitment and retention strategies have contributed to an increased enlistment and retention of women in the ADF.

Continuing Improvements to ADF Health:

Continue to Implement the Defence Injury Prevention Program

Achieved

From 2000 to 2003, the program was successfully implemented at a number of pilot sites, covering 15 per cent of the full-time ADF population. In February 2004, the program was implemented in the 3rd Brigade (Townsville, Queensland) and will be implemented in the 1st Brigade (Darwin, Northern Territory) in September 2004. Planning is under way with individual Service representatives for implementation at other Army locations and at Navy sites. To date, results have indicated 20-70 per cent reductions in the reported overall rates of injury per 1,000 troops within two years of program implementation.

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Implement HealthKEYS

Partially Achieved

Implementation of HealthKEYS began in October 2003 at three ADF bases and the program is progressing as planned. Full implementation is expected in 2005. HealthKEYS is the injury surveillance provider for the Defence Injury Prevention Program and captures accident and injury data.

Implement Initiatives from the ADF Mental Health Strategy

Partially Achieved

Initiatives successfully implemented include:

• a major mental health literacy campaign including the development of a mental health website;
• the establishment of a network of ADF regional mental health teams;
• the development of a tri-Service framework for the mental health management of ADF members; and
• the piloting of the ADF 'Coming Home Readjustment Program' as an early intervention for post-operational adjustment problems.

Implement the ADF Alcohol and Other Drugs Management Program

Partially Achieved

The ADF Alcohol and Other Drugs Service is an initiative of the ADF Mental Health Strategy. Milestones achieved include:

• establishment of strategic working relationships with key Australian agencies in the alcohol and drug area, and other military forces;
• training over 400 ADF health and allied health professionals to equip them to conduct frontline interventions in line with contemporary 'best practice methods';
• producing and distributing fact sheets, establishing a website and working in partnership with the Department of Veterans' Affairs on the 'Changing the Mix' self-help correspondence program, for people wishing to reduce alcohol consumption;
• organising alcohol and drug-related health promotional activities linked to the National Alcohol Campaign; and
• reviewing the Royal Australian Navy Alcohol and Drug Program and the Alcohol Rehabilitation and Education Program with the aim of improving services, in particular the coordination of service delivery.

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Develop a Suicide Prevention Training Program

Partially Achieved

The ADF suicide prevention training program is an initiative of the ADF Mental Health Strategy. Major milestones achieved in 2004 include:

• testing a confidential 'all hours support line' for ADF members;
• signing a contract with Living Works (Lifeline Australia) to provide the ADF with training in the areas of suicide awareness, suicide first aid interventions and increasing clinical skill levels for mental health professionals;
  • 48 mental health providers and professionals have completed a train-the-trainer course for suicide first aid interventions and are now running courses throughout Australia, with another 24 trainers to be trained in August 2004; and
• developing a website for the program.

Address the Career Structure and Salary Levels of Health Professionals

Partially Achieved

The Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal approved the introduction of a competency-based career and salary structure for ADF medical officers in July 2003. During August 2003 to May 2004, 116 ADF medical officers and 206 Reserve Force medical officers (approximately 30 per cent of the total number of Reserve medical officers) had their competency levels assessed by the Medical Officer Professional Career Development Committee.

The new structure has an inherent training liability and work is being undertaken to clearly delineate financial and administrative responsibilities and procedures to ensure that the required military, military medical and postgraduate medical training is undertaken by medical officers to meet the agreed level of medical capability. Where possible, this will be standardised across the three Services.

Finalise the Study of Health Outcomes of Aircraft Maintenance Personnel

Partially Achieved

The study is being undertaken by researchers at the University of Newcastle under a contract administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, on behalf of Defence. The first results of the study were issued in June 2004. The final volumes of the General Health and Medical Study, which are key components, will be completed in September 2004. Following review and acceptance by the independent Scientific Advisory Committee, the Department of Veterans' Affairs and Defence, it is anticipated that the final report will be provided to the Chief of Air Force in October 2004.

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