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

4.11 ADF district allowance

ADF district allowance is paid to members who work in Australian remote locations. It compensates for isolation, harsh climate and high cost of living.

Eligibility

In order to get the allowance you must be in a remote location. These are listed in Annex 4.4.A of the ADF Pay and Conditions Manual. You may be posted there, posted to a ship based there, or on temporary duty there for at least 21 days.

You are not entitled to district allowance if you get one of these allowances.

· Antarctic allowance.

· A higher rate of Woomera allowance.

Grades

Locations are sorted into five grades, based on how hard the living conditions are. Each grade has three levels of allowance. These are for members with dependants living out, members without dependants living out, and members living in. An income test is applied to dependants.

Absences

If you leave the location temporarily on duty the allowance can be paid for up to 30 days. It will be paid for the whole time if your dependants remain behind.

The allowance is paid during recreation leave, compassionate leave, carer's leave, paid maternity leave, paid parental leave or absence due to sickness. It will only be paid during long service leave if you or a dependant stay in the remote location.

Application to Reservists:  Reservists on continuous full-time service are entitled. Reservists on Reserve service get district allowance if they perform temporary duty in a remote location for more than 21 days in a row.

Reference:

ADF Pay and Conditions Manual, Chapter 4 Part 4 Division 1 and Division 2