About us

Strong families, strong communities, strong Defence.

On behalf of Navy, Army and Air Force, Defence Community Organisation offers a broad range of programs and services to help Defence families make the most of the challenges and opportunities provided by the military way of life.

We recognise that the strength of the Defence force is in the family and the strength of the family is in the community. We work with Defence families and community organisations to develop ideas and initiatives which help build a strong, connected and resilient Defence community.

Our programs of support

Our team

Who we support

Patron of the Defence community

ADF Family Covenant

History of DCO

For more information or to access any of our support services, contact the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.

 

Our team

DCO is a geographically dispersed organisation with a workforce comprising both military and civilian personnel. Most DCO staff are experienced in the military way of life, and are either serving, have served, or have family members in the Services.

There are over 200 staff Australia wide and on-the-ground services are delivered from local area offices which are situated on or near major Defence establishments in all states and territories.

You can gain referral to your local team by calling the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.

The local DCO teams

Defence Social Workers can help you address personal, relationship or Service related issues. They can provide you with assessment, short-term counselling services or referral to support and resources in your local community.

For more details, click on the Social work and support tab in our Mental health and wellbeing section.

Military Support Officers, or MSOs, are uniformed officers who provide you with advice, assistance and practical support in relation to military matters. They also perform a liaison function with units and Command.

For more details about how MSOs work with Command, see the For Command section.

Regional Education Liaison Officers, or REDLOs, are teachers who give education support to Defence families as they move around the country, providing information, advice, referral and specialised assistance.

For more details, click on the REDLOs tab in the Children's education support section.

Family Liaison Officers, or FLOs, have extensive knowledge of local communities and can provide you with advice and information to help you find resources or services that best suit your needs.

Community Development Officers, or CDOs, are trained in community development and work to build mutual understanding and support between the Defence community and broader community.

For more details about how FLOs and CDOs can assist you, see our Community connection section.

 

 

Who we support

DCO’s range of support is available to Defence families. A Defence family is defined as an ADF member, their partner, dependants and those relatives for whom the member has primary responsibility.

We also provide services for Commanding Officers, to assist them in looking after the welfare of ADF members and their families.

Have your family formally recognised by Defence

ADF members should make sure their partners and dependants are formally recognised by Defence so that they can receive support.

To have your partner recognised by Defence, complete form PE357 and provide it to your Commanding Officer. You can have your dependants recognised by completing form AD160.
The forms are available in Web-forms on the Defence intra-net or in our Resources section. Other Web-forms are available for changes to dependant or partner details, and other categories of recognition such as special needs and dependants (unaccompanied).

 

 

Patron of the Defence community

Mrs Linda Hurley, wife of Chief of the Defence Force General David Hurley, is the Patron of the Defence Community.

While her role is not one of advocacy, Linda is an experienced ‘army wife’ who works with Defence and civilian organisations to give recognition and a public face to family and community life in Defence. She attends social, ceremonial and fundraising events to promote the connection of Defence families.

Linda says that being a Defence family is a way of life.

'In many ways we all belong to a huge, extended military family. The sense of community, the shared experiences, and the wonderful friendships we all share make it an exciting life,' she said.

'Every posting has been a matter of adapting and reinventing my life. I’ve had an exciting time, and sometimes it’s been tough. I can honestly say I have loved every posting we’ve had. I encourage families to be proactive—it takes courage, but it leads to a sense of belonging, not only in the Defence family, but in our community.'

If you would like to contact the Patron of the Defence Community, send an email to Linda and DCO will facilitate your request.

Australian Defence Force Family Covenant

We recognise the significant contribution of ADF families to operational effectiveness.

We pay tribute to the commitment and sacrifice of ADF families in support of Australia.

We acknowledge the unique nature of family and community life in the ADF.

We honour the inherent strength and capacity of ADF families.

We pledge to work in partnership with ADF families to enhance their self reliance.

We commit to listening to ADF families and responding effectively to their emerging needs.

In May 2009 the then Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, officially launched the Australian Defence Force Family Covenant.

When Air Chief Marshal Houston’s tenure ended, the Covenant was passed on to the incoming Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley.

General Hurley formally re-signed the Covenant in a ceremony on 29 February 2012, reaffirming the Australian Defence Force’s commitment to Defence families.

Arranged in consultation with all three Service Chiefs, the Defence Community Organisation and Defence Families of Australia, the Covenant articulates to Defence families how highly their contribution to Defence is valued.

The covenant represents a commitment from Defence to work with Defence families, to consult with them, to listen to the concerns they raise, and to help them balance the demands of Service life with the needs of the family. 

There are three copies of the signed Covenant. One is held by Director General of the Defence Community Organisation. One is kept by Defence Families Australia.  And the original is held by the office of the Chief of the Defence Force.

General David Hurley formally re-signs the ADF Family Covenant at a ceremony in February 2012.

History of DCO

Defence family support was first clearly articulated in the Hamilton report, Supporting Service Families, in April 1986. Key issues raised in the report underpin DCO’s support for Defence families to this day, including family stability, dealing with absence, and disruption to partners’ careers and children’s education.

Defence Community Organisation was formed in 1996, bringing together the three individual Services’ family support organisations and the Australian Defence Families Information and Liaison staff.

In 2009, DCO streamlined its services to focus on five outputs: absence support (where an ADF member is away from the family for Service reasons), mobility support (where the family relocates due to posting), critical incident support, self-reliance support, and management and policy advice.

In 2012, DCO launched the Defence Family Helpline, a national intake line and centralised point for Defence families to access support, advice or referrals.