Defence Community Organisation

What is SWAPP SELECT?

Eligibilty

To receive assistance under SWAPP SELECT the following eligibility criteria must be met:

• You must be recognised by Defence as a partner of an ADF member;
• Defence must have relocated you to a new posting locality upon the posting of the ADF member, or on marriage or recognition of an interdependent relationship on or after 1 July 2003 ;
• You must be seeking immediate employment;
• Assistance under SWAPP SELECT must generally be used within two years of moving to the new posting locality;
• Assistance is only available once per posting locality; and
• Where you are also an ADF member no entitlement to SWAPP SELECT services exists.

The SWAPP SELECT Guidelines outlines all of the initiatives and eligibility criteria.  It is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the Guidelines prior to applying for the SWAPP SELECT Program. SWAPP Guidelines (Word, 91k).

Eligibility Process
 
The eligibility requirements and application processes for each SWAPP SELECT initiative varies slightly.  The approval process is detailed on the SWAPP SELECT application form (Word,404k) for each initiative.

Assistance under SWAPP SELECT can only be approved on receipt of the application form at DCO HQ.  Once eligibility is confirmed, a letter will be forwarded to you as the applicant.  Once eligible, Defence becomes liable for payment of the agreed amount. Defence pays for the service regardless of whether the initiative/s are commenced or completed. 

It is your responsibility to research the SWAPP SELECT initiatives and decide which ones are the most suitable for your locality and needs.

 Where appropriate, seek assistance from your professional service provider.  Complete, sign and select the relevant initiative/s on the SWAPP SELECT application form(Word, 404k).

 At this point, the you and the ADF member are required to sign off on your acceptance and understanding of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) implications on your application.
      
The application should be faxed/emailed or posted together with the quotes to DCO HQ for eligibility prior to receiving any services. 
Funding assistance will not be given in retrospect.

Payment or Reimbursement

There are two methods of payment available: 

• Arrange for your professional service provider to send a valid tax invoice directly to  Defence, to pay the service provider by credit card or into their bank account already identified by the Defence accounting system;  or

• Submit your receipt and reimbursement will be deposited directly into your ADF partner’s bank account as identified by the Defence accounting system.

 

Evaluation

If you have accessed any SWAPP SELECT initiatives, your feedback is essential so that DCO can continue to improve this service. Please take the time to print and complete the SWAPP SELECT Evaluation Form (Word, 391k) and return it as per instructions included.

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Funding of up to a maximum of $2,500 is available for an applicant to choose a professional employment services agency to provide some or all of the following assistance:

• Career transition assessment and advice;
• Job search techniques and strategies;
• Preparation and presentation for interview;
• Application and selection criteria preparation;
• Identifying training options; and
• Identifying job options.

Applicants should contact the service providers in their area to determine what suits their needs.  A quote from a professional employment services provider of your choice must be attached with your application.
To apply for SWAPP SELECT assistance, follow the instructions on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 404k) attached.

Training

Applicants may be eligible for assistance with training costs up to a maximum of $2500 (GST Inclusive) to enhance their prospects of gaining immediate employment.
Training cannot be elected by an applicant.  It must be recommended through a Professional Employment Service Provider or be a mandatory training requirement under PREP or Directly Linked Employment Offer initiatives.  Do not commit to any enrolments and/or expenditure prior to eligibility. Training must be completed within 12 months (inclusive of University) and can be either:

• As identified by your Professional Employment Services provider

• Directly linked to employment offer; or
• Self Employment

Personalised Resume Preparation

Funding assistance is available to a maximum of $500 (GST inclusive), for a personalised resume to be prepared by a professional service provider. The applicant can select a professional service provider who best meets their needs and arrange to have their resume prepared.   A quote from the service provider choice must be attached with the application.
To apply for assistance with the resume preparation initiative, follow the instructions on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 404k) attached.

Professional Resume Builder

A professional resume builder CD is available for ADF partners to borrow from their local DCO office and download to a personal computer.  The resume builder has a manual to assist ADF partners in preparing their own individual resumes and introductory letters, as well as in addressing selection criteria.  The resume builder is exempt from reportable Fringe Benefits Tax. 
Copies of the resume builder CD are held at the Directorate of Deployment and Overseas Services, Level 3 Defence Plaza Sydney, for loan to partners accompanying an ADF member posted overseas.

Personalised Resume Preparation

Defence can provide assistance of up to $500 (GST inclusive) for a personalised resume to be prepared by a service provider of your own choice. Resume preparation can be used in conjunction with professional employment assistance. To apply for assistance with the resume preparation initiative, follow the instructions on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 404k )attached

Professional Resume Builder

If you would rather prepare your own resume, a professional resume builder CD is available for loan from your local DCO office. You can download the program to your personal computer. The resume builder has a manual detailing a self instruction program that helps you create your own resume and provides assistance with covering letters and addressing selection criteria.

Copies of the resume builder CD are held at the Directorate of Deployment and Overseas Services, Level 3 Defence Plaza Sydney, for loan to partners accompanying an ADF member posted overseas.

Use of this CD has no FBT implications and may therefore specifically suit some families for whom FBT may be an impediment to using SWAPP SELECT.

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Applications are assessed on the proven inability to transfer the registration /course to the new locality and subsequent requirement to re-register and/or to complete the same course. To receive assistance an applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:       

• Re-register in the same profession 
• Undertake a mandatory short upgrade course (no longer than 12 months duration) to obtain the same employment held in the previous location
• Re-register in the same course as commenced in the losing locality  

PREP can also be used in conjunction with an overseas posting.

Since its inception, the PREP initiative has assisted partners of ADF members with registration expenses in many occupations, such as:

• Nurse
• Teacher
• Veterinary surgeon
• Court security officer
• Health professional
• Hospitality worker
• Accountant

Assistance provided with professional upgrade courses has included the following examples:

• First aid certificate
• Professional competency certificate
• Aged care certificate
• Responsible alcohol handling

Reimbursement of Child Care Costs

Assistance for an amount of up to $250 per child may be available to help with childcare costs while you undertake job search activities. These activities may include, but are not limited to:

• participating in training
• preparing job applications
• attending interviews
• personalised resume preparation

Reimbursement of child care costs can be used in conjunction with other SWAPP SELECT initiatives. Eligibility must be sought prior to submitting receipts for the initiative Applicants are entitled to submit a number of receipts for child care until they reach the $250 limit per child.
To claim your reimbursement, please follow the instructions on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 404k) attached. 

Internet Assistance

Reimbursement is available up to a maximum of $30.00 per month paid quarterly when posted to a very remote locality. Software, hardware or education costs are not covered.  The Internet access costs must be directly associated with enrolment in distance learning.  The following is a list of the posting locations that have been identified as residing in Very Remote Locations (VRL):

• Katherine
• Thursday Island (including Horn Island)
• Weipa (including RAAF Scherger)
• Broome
• Carnarvon
• Derby
• Exmouth (Including Learmonth)
• Karratha (including Dampier)
• Kununurra
• Newman
• Port Hedland (including South Hedland)
• Tom Price

Evidence of enrolment in a distance learning course stating commencement and end dates must be provided.  Reimbursements are made on a quarterly basis. Software, hardware or education costs are not covered.  This initiative cannot be used with the other SWAPP SELECT initiatives. 
To apply for assistance with internet access costs, follow the instructions on the SWAPP SELECT Application Form (Word, 404k) attached.

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Following is a list of common questions and answers regarding SWAPP services:

Q. Can I apply for SWAPP SELECT as the partner of an overseas Defence Force member?
A. No. SWAPP is only available to the partners of Australian Defence members. However, you can borrow the resume builder CD

Q. Can I apply for SWAPP SELECT if we have been relocated on discharge?
A. No.

Q. My approved training costs include text books are these costs covered under SWAPP SELECT?
A. Yes, as long as the text books are a mandatory requirement of the course.

Q. I am a spouse and a reservist can I apply for SWAPP SELECT?
A. Yes, as long as you are not on continuous full time service.

Q. Does SWAPP SELECT guarantee me a job?
A. No. SWAPP SELECT assists partners to access the workforce, it cannot guarantee employment.

Q. Do I have to fill in another application form each time I select a new SWAPP SELECT initiative?
A. No, please telephone the Executive Officer on 02 6127 2305 for approval/required information.

Q. I recently completed a training course and wasn’t aware of the SWAPP SELECT Program. Can I claim my payment for these fees?
A. No, as per the SWAPP SELECT Guidelines the Program does not accept retrospective payments.

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There are a number of web sites which can assist when searching for work, take the time to visit them and contact or register with those that best meet your personal requirements. Some of these employment sites are listed below for your easy reference.

Defence Civilian Recruitment
This website allows easy access to positions advertised by the Department of Defence, including Duty Statements and Selection Documentation. It also contains additional information to assist in preparing applications and submissions.

Jobsearch

Commonwealth Public Service Gazette

Australian Defence Force Recruiting

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end of Partner Employment Assistance

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