Member's Guide to ADF Pay and Conditions in Australia – see Disclaimer – check PACMAN for full details

1.3 Applying for conditions of service

Getting advice

The information in the PACMAN is now easier to understand, so you can read it yourself. The area that normally deals with your day-to-day pay and conditions entitlements can also help you to understand the information and how it applies to you. Some conditions have other people who can provide advice. An example is ComSuper, which administers your superannuation. This information is also included in the Guide.

You or your family members can also discuss any aspect of ADF conditions of service with the Family Information Network for Defence (FIND). You can contact them on 1800 020 031. This is a toll-free, confidential service. It is available to Service members and their families anywhere in Australia. It operates from 7.00am to 10.00pm Sydney time, Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday. Messages can be left on their answering service out of hours or emailed to dsc.find@defence.gov.au.

You can also get advice from your local administrative unit.

Examples: Customer Service Centre (previously known as shopfront), Military Pay Administration Centre (MPAC), orderly room, ship's office, Defence Service Centre on 1800 DEFENCE (1800 333 362).

How to apply?

You will have to apply for many of these conditions to get them. Most application forms are on the Defweb Web Forms System. Some of these forms are also on the internet at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/webforms/. If you do not have access to a computer, contact the area that normally deals with your day-to-day pay and conditions entitlements. They will be able to give you a copy of the right form.

What if my circumstances change?

If you have applied for or are getting a condition, a change in your circumstances may mean that you are no longer entitled to it. You should seek advice about whether the change will affect what you get. If it does, then you must inform the area that normally deals with your pay and conditions. They will be able to help you stop any overpayment. 

It is very important to do this because you will have to repay any money that you are not entitled to get. If you know you are not entitled to money but do not take steps to stop getting it, you could be committing an offence.

What if I disagree with a decision?

If you disagree with a decision about your pay and conditions, you may seek to have the decision reviewed.

· First talk to your Customer Service Centre, shopfront, orderly room or administration unit who might be able to explain why the decision was made that way. You can also approach your chain of command.

· If they are unable to answer that question, you can ask them to approach the person who made the decision to ask why it was made that way.

· If you feel there is more information that the decision-maker needs to consider you can ask them to remake the decision.

· If you want to make a formal complaint you should read Defence Instruction General PERS 34-1, Redress of Grievance – Tri-Service procedures. You can contact the Directorate of Complaint Resolution (CR) about a 'redress of grievance'. This is a kind of investigation of the decision-making process. The CR web site can give you more information on this process. It is at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/fr/CR/crhome.htm.

If these groups cannot help you and you think you have an entitlement that you are not getting, consider talking to the Office of the Defence Force Ombudsman. There is more information on http://www.comb.gov.au/, or you could phone 1300 362 072. You could also talk to your solicitor to get advice about legal options to review the decision.