Index
About Separation
Time apart due to deployments, training or other Service requirements, is a feature of being a member of the ADF or the family members of someone who serves in the ADF. Whilst these periods of separation can be challenging for ADF members and for their families, they can also be positive times for all concerned. To assist with the challenges, Defence offers a range of support services to help at these times.
For more information , see the Deployments and Time Away from Home page.
Assistance for Dependants with Special Needs
Dependents with Special Needs Program
Some Australian Defence Force families have a dependent with special needs. Special needs in this sense can mean someone who has, for example, a physical, intellectual, sensory, learning or behavioural disability, or a psychiatric illness/disorder. It can also include those assessed as being gifted or talented.
When families are posted they may have difficulties accessing the services they need, as waiting periods may apply. In order to help deal with some of the difficulties which Defence families who have a recognised dependent with special needs may face, the Dependent with Special Needs Program provides a range of assistance. Eligibility criteria, conditions and provisions are outlined in the policy which can be found in the PACMAN Vol 1 Chapter 1 Part 3 Division 2 and Vol 2 Chapter 8 Part 6.
A copy of Determination 2007/36 -Dependants with Special Needs can be found in the Determinations section of the PACMAN by clicking on the following link
Assistance Available
The provisions available through this program include:
- A procedure whereby ADF families with special needs can have their status as a special needs family formally recognised by Defence
- A special needs pre-posting visit
- Assistance to access specialised equipment in the new locality
- Assistance to access therapy services in the new locality
- Assistance to access respite services in the new locality
- Assistance in the provision of appropriate housing and transit accommodation
Applications Forms are available via the links below , through your local Base shopfront or your local DCO Area office. For further information and assistance, contact your local DCO Area office.
Application for Recognition of Member With Dependant With Special Needs ,(PDF, 612k)
Application for Special Needs Pre-Posting Visit ,(PDF, 389k)
Application for Assistance with Respite, Personal Care, Therapy Services or Equipment Hire ,(PDF,23k)
Assesment of Assistance on Posting ,(PDF,562k)
The Member with Dependants with Special Needs Program (MWDSN) application process will be streamlined from 1 July 2010. For further information this, and Support to Members with Dependants with Special Needs follow the links below.
MWDSN (Word, 21k)
Guidance for Members with Dependants With Special Needs, ( Word, 3.13MB)
The Defence Community Organisation also works very closely with the Defence Special Needs Support Group (DSNSG) which provides a national network of peer support to Defence families who have a special needs dependent. On behalf of Defence, DSNSG manages the Circle of Friends Respite Program. For more information about DSNSG visit the DSNSG website or telephone 1800 037 674.
More Support for Students with Disabilities
Fore more information, download the Flyer (PDF,131k)
Childcare
Purpose:
The Defence Child Care Program helps mobile Defence families by facilitating priority of access to child care. Defence families who are required to move on posting may seek priority placement at 39 Defence Child Care Centres around Australia. The focus of the program is on helping families to get access to some form of child care on arrival in their new locality. For more information on the Defence Child Care Program, visit the Child Care page on this website.
Education Assistance
The Education Assistance Scheme
The Education Assistance Scheme (EAS) provides a range of financial support measures to mobile Defence children, addressing the impact of mobility on education. For further information on any of the initiatives below, contact your Regional Education Liaison Officer through your local DCO Area Office
Tutoring
If a member moves to a new location and has school aged children, they may be entitled to 14 weeks of tutoring in any subject that has been identified by the school as representing a gap in the child’s learning.
Boarding School Allowance
When a member’s dependent is in the critical years of schooling (years 9-12) and the member is relocated, the family may be eligible for financial assistance for the dependent to go to boarding school. This helps prevent disruption to education.
For more information on the Education Assistance Scheme, go to the Education Asistance page on this website.
Emergency Support to Families Scheme (ESFS)
The Emergency Support for Families Scheme (ESFS) has been developed to provide short term assistance to ADF member’s dependents in an emergency situation where the member is away from home for Service reasons.
Service members can be assured that if an emergency occurs in their absence, their dependents will be supported.
For more information about ESFS and eligibility requirements contact you local DCO Area Office or go to the ESFS page on this website.
Family Support Funding Program (FSFP)
The Defence Family Support Funding Program (FSFP) provides grants to incorporated groups of Service families and community organisation for self-help projects that assist in overcoming the effects of mobility. The FSFP allocates approximately $1 million in grant funds each financial year.
Grant applications close on 30 April each year so that funding is available early in the new financial year. Seeding grants are available throughout the year for new projects subject to funds availability.
Full policy and eligibility details are provided in the Family Support Funding Program Guidelines (Word,106k)
For more information, please contact your local DCO Area Office or go to the FSFP section of this website.
Services Workforce Access Program for Partners(SWAPP SELECT)
The Services Workforce Access Program for Partners(SWAPP SELECT) provides services and initiatives to help partners of ADF members to become job ready and to join the workforce in their new posting localities. The initiatives can be used individually or, in some cases, a number can be used together..
If you are a recognised partner of an ADF member, SWAPP SELECT may be able to help you find employment in a new location either before relocation or after you have settled in. To access the employment assistance available, contact your local DCO Area Office or go to the SWAPP SELECT page on this website
Products and Services
Defence is recognised as one of the largest employers in Australia. In recognition of Defence's contribution to the Nation numerous suppliers of products and services provide tailored products to Defence personnel as a goodwill gesture.
These producst and services include holidays, health benefits and insurance products, discount purchasing, financial assistance, home purchase assistance, and consumer assistance. These are available to Defence members including, ADF members, Defence civilians, and Defence contractors. Some products are available to Retired ADF members and Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Gold and White Card recipients.
For information on eligibility requirements and further detail about these products and services can be found on the Directorate of Personnel Support and Amenities (DPSA) web site on both the Intranet and Internet.
24 Hour Support
If you need support, help, or advice at any time, Defence has resources available for you.
Defence Community Organisation--After Hours Emergency Contact
DCO Offices are staffed from 0830 h to 1700 h Monday to Friday. As of 31 March 2007 all requests for emergency DCO assistance outside core business hours and on Public Holidays must be directed to the National Welfare Coordination Centre(NWCC) on 1800 801 026 (if calling from overseas +61 2 9359 4842). Contact made directly to DCO staff work or personal mobiles will be directed back to the NWCC.
NWCC will not transfer callers directly to DCO but, where necessary, will pass a request for assistance to a DCO Duty Officer who will return the call. DCO assistance out of hours will be available in emergency situations only. Any non-emergency cases will be referred for follow-up assistance during normal business hours.
All Hours Support Line
Defence provides the All Hours Support Line as a part of the ADF Mental Health Strategy. This is a confidential telephone triage support service for ADF members and their families that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can call the All Hours Support Line for any mental health or wellbeing advice, including, but not limited to:
- Mental disorders
- Wellbeing and resilience
- Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Suicide prevention
- Grief and loss
FREECALL within Australia 1800 628 036
Outside Australia +61 2 9425 3878.
National Welfare Co-ordination Centre
The National Welfare Coordination Centre (NWCC) provides a free call information and referral service for families of deployed Defence personnel. It provides timely, accurate information, reassurance and support and referral to other family support agencies, including the DCO.
The NWCC can be contacted 24/7 on 1800 801 026 (FREECALL) or via e-mail at: nwcc.australia@defence.gov.au
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