Annual Report 2003-04

Annual Report on the Administration and Operation of the Defence Force (Home Loans Assistance) Act 1990

Legislation

The Defence HomeOwner Scheme is underpinned by the Defence Force (Home Loans Assistance) Act 1990. Section 39 of the Act requires that an annual report be prepared for the Minister on the administration and operation of the Act. The annual report is set out below.

Description

The Defence HomeOwner Scheme is an Australian Government initiative that provides a subsidy on the interest payable on a home loan for members of the ADF. The scheme is open to permanent Defence Force members who enlisted on or after 15 May 1985 and to those permanent Defence Force members who elected to revoke their entitlement under the Defence Service Homes Scheme in favour of a Defence HomeOwner entitlement. Reserve and Emergency force personnel who provide part-time efficient service are also eligible for assistance.

The Defence Housing Authority administers the scheme for Defence. The benefits are provided under an agreement between the National Australia Bank and the Commonwealth. Under the scheme, the Commonwealth assesses eligibility and entitlement and pays monthly interest subsidies on loans provided by the National Australia Bank. Interest subsidy is paid on loans between $10,000 and $80,000. Spouses who are both members of the ADF can apply for a combined subsidised loan of up to $160,000. The subsidy amount is calculated at 40 per cent of the average monthly interest to be paid over the life of a 25-year loan.

Providing a person has a period of entitlement, the subsidised loans can be used from one home to another during service as often as is required and once within two years of the date of separation from the ADF.

Subsidy Entitlement

The subsidy entitlement period is calculated on the number of completed years of effective full-time service after completion of a five-year qualifying period. The qualifying period for active Reservists is eight continuous years of efficient service.

For members with operational or warlike service, the five-year qualifying period is waived and the maximum period of the subsidy may be extended from 20 to 25 years. Special considerations are made for re-joining members, widows and widowers, eligible persons and members discharged as a result of a compensatable disability.

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Objectives

The objectives of the Defence HomeOwner Scheme are to attract and retain ADF personnel, to encourage home ownership during service as a cost-effective alternative to rental assistance and to assist in the reintegration of ADF personnel into the community on return to civilian life.

Home Ownership During Service

The objectives of the Defence HomeOwner Scheme are achieved by providing a subsidised home loan for a period which is directly related to the member's length of service with the permanent or Reserve forces, bringing home ownership within the reach of more members and providing a subsidised loan once within two years of separation from the ADF.

During 2003-04, there were 2,095 applications for entitlement certificates and 1,428 applications for loan subsidies processed. The total number of approved loans as at 30 June 2004 was 6,481. Since 2000, the take-up rate has improved and is almost double that of 1998-99.

Much of this appears to be a direct result of the significant rise in eligibility numbers from personnel serving in warlike areas and the fact that interest rates remain low. Subject to meeting eligibility requirements, members of the ADF can access the Government's First Home Buyer's Scheme. This, combined with the Defence HomeOwner Scheme and Defence's Home Purchase Assistance Scheme, has made buying a house an attractive option.

Assist in the Reintegration of ADF Personnel into the Community on Return to Civilian Life

Of new subsidy applications, 35 per cent were from members either discharging or transferring to the Reserves. This is the same percentage as last year, indicating that the growing trend may have levelled out.

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Performance Evaluation of the Administration of the Scheme

Defence is satisfied with the administration of the scheme by the Defence Housing Authority. During the reporting period, there were no appeals lodged with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal against decisions made by the delegate.

The National Australia Bank has met its obligations to the Government under the Defence Force (Home Loans Assistance) Act 1990 and has provided effective support to the scheme. The National Australia Bank and the Defence Housing Authority continue in their efforts to streamline the administration process of obtaining the subsidy.

Note

1. The figures are taken from the subsidy applications.

Note

1. Entitlement certificates are valid for 12 months.

Operational Costs

Defence paid an annual management fee of $501,215 (including GST) in 2003-04 to the Defence Housing Authority. The authority was also paid a fee for each application for entitlement certificates lodged. These fees totalled $161,545.45 (including GST).

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