Member's Guide to ADF Pay and Conditions in Australia – see Disclaimer – check PACMAN for full details
4.3 Field allowance
Field allowance is paid to members to who work and live ‘in the field’. This means being in an environment with living and working conditions that are like active military campaigning. The allowance will not be payable unless this test is met.
An example of where you may be in the field is where you work, eat and sleep in an outdoor, open air, natural environment. There is no access to facilities and services. You might prepare meals from rations carried with you. Conditions might include dirt, water, dust or mud.
Examples of where you are not in the field include where you are ‘sleeping rough’ in an established urban or military setting. A member who is in the field during the daytime but who goes to a purpose-built structure to sleep is also not in the field.
Field allowance is paid at one of two levels. The top level is paid to compensate you if you are suffering extreme levels of difficulties and hardships associated with service in the field. The lower level corresponds to intermediate levels of difficulties and hardships.
Who is not paid it?
You will not be paid field allowance if you are paid some other allowances.
· Seagoing allowance.
· Some elements of special forces disability allowance.
· Some elements of specialist operations allowance.
· Travelling allowance.
Application to Reservists: Yes.
References: ADF Pay and Conditions Manual, Chapter 4 Part 3 Division 4
A chart of current rates is also available under 'Your pay and allowances' on the Defence Pay and Conditions websites at:
Defweb: http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/
Internet: http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac
Form: AD297 – Authority for Payment of Field Allowance