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Index
How can DCO assist me?
DCO provides a broad range of services and programs for an ADF Member and their immediate family (Spouse and Children). Whatever need you may have for information, support or assistance - personal, family, or service related- contact your local DCO Area Team, by phone, fax, or email. If we don’t have the answer, we will refer you to someone who can help.
Do I need a referral to use DCO Services?
No. an ADF member and their immediate family can 'self-refer' directly to the DCO. However, an ADF member or their immediate family who might require an administrative report or a written assessment of their circumstances will need to make a formal request through their chain of command. For more detail, please refer to the section on Casework and Counselling.
I thought DCO was for all ADF members. Doesn’t DCO assist with single members?
DCO services are available to ADF members and their immediate family (spouse and children). Single ADF members should access support services through their chain of command but can seek advice from DCO on available support. However, DCO’s main priority is the immediate family of ADF members.
I'm ADF member and I’m experiencing some issues/problems about work or my administration, who can I speak to?
In the first instance, you should speak to your chain of command.
Are DCO services confidential?
The content and detail of any discussion with a DCO Social Worker is private and confidential and nothing is documented on an ADF member’s records. No information is disclosed unless there are concerns for the safety and welfare of the client or others, or in instances involving serious breaches of the law or the Defence Force Discipline Act (DFDA).
How can the DCO assist Commanders?
For information on the range of services and programs that DCO provides in support of all ADF Commanders, please refer to the Command section of this website.
Can members of my family see the DCO?
The immediate family of an ADF can access the DCO.
Can DCO provide financial assistance?
DCO does not directly provide financial assistance to members or their families. However, there are a number of service organisations who may be able to assist. For more detailed information please refer to the ADF Relief Trust Funds section or contact the DCO Military Support Officer in your area.
What kind of counselling services does DCO provide?
DCO Social Work staff can provide counselling services on a wide range of issues: personal, personal relationships, family relationships, work related, wellbeing, deployment related, etc. For more specific detail, please contact your local DCO Area Team.
Can I get a home-visit from a Family Liaison Officer or Defence Social Worker, and if so, how do I arrange this?
Yes, by arrangement and during normal business hours, a FLO or a Social Worker from the DCO Area Team can visit you at your service residence or your own home. Contact your local DCO Office to make an appointment.
Does DCO/Defence have any funds available for community activities or groups?
Yes. Please visit the section on the Family Support Funding Program for further information.
I'm having some problems in my relationship, who can I talk to?
You could discuss your relationship concerns with a DCO Social Worker or an ADF Chaplain. Alternatively, you could seek referral information from the DCO to a community based agency or service in the local area.
On The Move ( Housing & Relocation)
How can I get a 'Welcome to the Area' pack?
A copy of the local DCO Area Team 'Welcome to the Area' booklet can be viewed and/or downloaded by visiting the Accessing DCO page of this website and following the links to your area information. Alternatively, contact your local DCO Area Team for a copy to be mailed out to you.
Where are the DHA houses in the area, and how far are they from the base?
For information on the location of service residences in the area you are posting to, you can contact the local DHA area office or the local DCO Area Team.
What's the public transport like? Will we need a second car?
For information and advice on Public transport in the area that you are posting to, contact the Family Liaison Officer in the area or view the 'Welcome to the Area' information booklet by following links on the Accessing DCO page to your location.
What's the shopping like in the area?
For information on shopping and other facilities and services in your area, contact the local Family Liaison Officer or view the 'Welcome to the Area' information booklet by following links on the Accessing DCO page to your location.
What's the rental market like for RA?
For advice on accessing information on the rental market (for RA) in the area you are posting to, contact the local DHA office.
How can singles get into town and back from the base?
In some locations where there is little public transport available, this can be problematic. The Family Liaison Officer in the local DCO Area Team, will be a good source of information and referral advice on subjects like this.
I have just received a posting order and found that my family and I have to move. How can I find out advice about the moving process and the new area we are being posted to?
The On the Move section of this website provides information about and contact details for the moving process. For detailed area specific information follow the links on the Accessing DCO page to the area you are being posted to, or alternatively, contact the Family Liaison Office at the local DCO Office.
I've just arrived on posting to a new area and don't know anyone here yet. Who can I contact for information about the area?
The Family Liaison Officer in the area you are posting to can provide information and contact details about the various Defence community support groups in your area. Alternatively, contact the groups directly via the following Community or Community Groups pages.
My partner is being posted to a new area, how do I find out about what's available there?
Contact the Family Liaison Officer of the local DCO Office closest to your posting destination by following the links at the Accessing DCO page. You can also view the information contained in the 'Welcome to the Area' information book there.
I'd like to start up a new playgroup in the area we have just moved to - who can help me with information and what support is available?
The Community or Community Groups pages or the Family Liaison Officer in your area can provide information and contact details about the various Defence community support groups already operating in your area. The Family Suport Funding Program (FSFP) provides annual funding support to Incorporated Defence groups, for purposes such as this.
How can I find a GP in this area that doesn't have closed books or find one that bulk bills?
The local Area Health Authority, through the Division of General Practice can provide information about GPs in the area. Alternatively, the Family Liaison Officer may be able to assist, but cannot 'recommend'. Please also remember when you are posting out of an area, let your Doctor know, so that space may be available for those posting in.
Where do I go for After Hours or Emergency medical treatment?
Contact details for these services can normally be found in the 'Health and Help' pages of the local telephone directory. Alternatively, contact the Family Liaison Officer in your local DCO Office for further information.
Where can I obtain information about Public transport in our new posting locality?
The 'Welcome to the Area' information booklet accessed via following the links on the Accessing DCO page to your area will have information about this, depending on your location. Alternatively, contact the Family Liaison Officer in the area.
My wife has a good job, and my children are close to finishing high school and don't want to go with me on my next posting, what can I do?
You may be eligible to apply for Member with Dependants (Unaccompanied) (MWD(U)) status. This page also provides a link to PACMAN policy guidance on MWD(U).
I'm not happy about the service residence I've been allocated, what can I do about this?
In the first instance, you should speak with the DHA office in the area.
Time Apart (Deployments and Training
My partner is deployed overseas, how can I send a parcel/letter?
The National Welfare Coordination Centre (NWCC) can provide address details for the various deployments and Operations currently underway. The NWCC can also be contacted on 1800 801 026 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Partner Employment Assistance
Following is a list of common questions and answers regarding PEEP services:
Q. Can I apply for PEEP as the partner of an overseas Defence Force member?
A. No. PEEP is only available to the partners of Australian Defence members.
Q. Can I apply for PEEP when my ADF partner is posted overseas?
A. Yes partners and spouses can access distance education through Open Universities Australia as well as the Professional Re-registration Expense Payment (PREP) initiative. All other initiatives are only available when posted within Australia.
Q. Can I apply for PEEP if we have been relocated on discharge?
A. No.
Q. If the course that I plan to undertake in our current posting locality exceeds $6,000, will this be funded under PEEP.
A. No PEEP provides an Education and Employment Allowance of $12,000 for a ten year period and this is capped at $6,000 per posting. Any expense above this amount will be self funded.
Q. My approved training costs include text books are these costs covered under PEEP?
A. Yes, as long as the text books are a mandatory requirement of the course they can be covered and deducted from your Allowance.
Q. I am a spouse and a reservist can I apply for PEEP?
A. Yes, as long as you are not on continuous full time service.
Q. Does PEEP guarantee me a job?
A. No. PEEP assists partners to better position themselves for employment, it cannot guarantee employment.
Q. Can I apply for PEEP if I am already employed?
A. Yes. The Program allows spouses to enhance their skills to enable them to find more suitable job opportunities in their new posting locality.
Q. What do I do if I am unhappy with my chosen service provider?
A. As it is the provider of your choice and they are not contracted to Defence, we ask that you liaise with your provider to reach a suitable solution. Please advise the Executive Officer of any outcomes.
Q. What if I don’t complete my course.
A. If an invoice is received from the provider for a course you have enrolled in, Defence is liable for payment of that invoice regardless of whether you have completed the course or not and the amount will be deducted from your Allowance.
Q. Do I have to fill in another application form each time I select a new PEEP initiative?
A. No, once you are an approved applicant, you will be given a PEEP ID and an Education and Employment Allowance of $12,000, capped at $6,000 per posting for a ten year period. The approved applicant only then has to forward the invoice for payment of the agreed program initiatives or approved long term study plan. All invoices are to reference the PEEP ID.
For long term study ie longer than 12 months such as university study, you will be required to complete Part 2 of the application form each semester or year for approval by:
Semester 1 28 Feb
Semester 2 31 July
Q. How do I know how much I have expended from my Education and Employment Allowance?
A. You will be sent a summary letter each May advising you of the initiatives that have been funded from your Allowance and your remaining balance.
Q. I recently completed a training course and wasn’t aware of PEEP. can I claim my payment for these fees?
A. No, as per the PEEP Guidelines, the Program does not accept retrospective payments. Payment of initiatives will only be made after the date of PEEP approval.
Education Assistance
Information on DCO sponsored Education Assistance can be found on the Education Assistance page.
As the education systems vary across the States and Territories, additional education related questions should be directed to your nearest Regional Education Liaison Officer (REDLO):
ACT |
(02) 6265 8746 |
TAS |
(03) 6237 7191 |
VIC |
(03) 9282 3006 |
STH QLD |
(07) 3354 0554 |
NSW |
(02) 9377 3316 |
NTH QLD |
(07) 4753 6532 |
NT |
(08) 8935 7906 |
WA |
(08) 9591 9596 |
SA |
(08) 8305 6648 |
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(08) 9311 2379 |
Special Needs Assistance
My child has special needs, is there any assistance available for us?
Additional challenges may be encountered for dependants with special needs due to the mobile Defence lifestyle. Accordingly, a number of provisions are available for dependants recognised as having special needs. Further information can be found on the Family Wellbeing page , or by contacting your local DCO Office .
How do I go about getting a family member recognised as Defence Special Needs?
Members can access the policy outlining eligibility criteria, conditions and provisions, DI(G) PERS 42-5 Support to Families with Special Needs, on the Defence Intranet. You can contact the DCO Office in your area and make an appointment with a Defence Social Worker to discuss your recognition.
Child Care
These FAQs are provided for Defence members and families who are seeking additional information on the new child care delivery model with B4Kids. The FAQ's below have been compiled in response to some of these queries.
General
What are the operating hours of the B4Kids Support Centre?
8.00am to 5.30pm EST
How long is the Defence and B4Kids contract?
The contract was signed in May 2009 for one year with a one year option to extend. This is in line with Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines and the Direct Source approach taken following the ABC Receivership.
How can I find out about childcare in my local area?
You can contact the B4Kids Support Centre on 1300 265 600 or call the Child Care Access Hotline on 1800 670 305. Your local DCO Family Liaison Officer will also be able to assist
Programming
Do B4Kids participate in National Childcare Accreditation Council accreditation process?
Yes.
Are B4kids services all licensed?
Yes.
Does B4Kids cater to children with Special Needs?
Yes.
Fees
Who sets child care fees in Defence Centres?
Defence benchmark and approve child care fees in Defence Child Care Centres to ensure that they remain competitive with local market rates. Fees are generally reviewed on 1 July each year.
What payment methods does B4Kids offer?
SmartSalary, Ezi-Debit, Bpay.
Do B4Kids require a bond?
Not for continuing enrolments. For new enrolments there is a $25 booking fee.
Do B4Kids charge late fees?
Yes, at $1 per minute, after closing time
Complaints
Is there a parent complaint process?
Yes, B4Kids has a Parent Grievance Policy that is available in all their Centres.
Does Defence have visibility of parental complaints?
Yes, Defence has visibility of all formal complaints from the Defence Child Care Centres.
Other Services and Support
I'm experiencing some financial difficulties, is there a Service fund that can help me?
Each Service has a Relief Trust Fund to help members in times of financial difficulty. For information please refer to the ADF Relief Trust Funds section of the Personnel Support and Amenities website or contact the DCO Military Support Officer in your area.
If I have a problem and don't wish to access Defence services (like the DCO), where can I get assistance from?
DCO staff can refer you to community based agencies or services. Your ADF Chaplain or Psychology Support Section may also be able to assist. Alternatively, the 'Health and Help' section at the front of your local telephone directory provides a list of such agencies.
Where can I go to get some legal, and/or financial advice?
There are a number of community based agencies and services in most areas that can provide advice and assistance. DCO can provide you with referral advice, or you can look in your local phone book.
ADF Information
Where can I find out information about pay and the range of conditions of service that are available to ADF members?
The ADF Pay and Conditions Manual (PACMAN) defines entitlements and conditions for ADF personnel. This can be found on the Internet or Defence Intranet.
What sources of regular/periodic information can I obtain about what's happening in Defence, or the area that I'm currently posted to?
For local information, contact the Family Liaison Officer in the local DCO Area Team or keep an eye out for Defence Newsletters in your region. For wider Defence information, go to the Defence Homepage(Publications)and follow links to the single Service Newspapers or the Defence Magazine.
Feedback
If you cannot find what you are looking for in our Frequently Asked Questions, or elsewhere on the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) website, then please use the email address below and your query will be passed to the relevant section within DCO.
dco.feedbackline@defence.gov.au
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