DEFENCE SERVICE CONDITIONS MESSAGE
PERS DSC 09/05
DTG: 040250Z FEB 05
SUBJ: CONDITIONS OF SERVICE (COS) – OP OSIER
A.
ADF
PAY AND CONDITIONS MANUAL – OVERSEAS CONDITIONS OF SERVICE VOLUME.
MISSION
1. TO
RE-RELEASE AND UPDATE THE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR OP OSIER.
2. THIS
MESSAGE IS TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REFERENCE.
ELIGIBILITY
3. TO BE
ELIGIBLE FOR CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, ADF PERS MUST:
A. BE ASSIGNED
TO OP OSIER, AND
B.
BE WITHIN THE
OP OSIER SPECIFIED AREA.
OP OSIER SPECIFIED AREA
4. THE OP
OSIER SPECIFIED AREA
COMPRISES THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA,
CROATIA, SLOVENIA AND SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO.
DEPLOYMENTS FOR LESS
THAN SIX MONTHS
5. PRE-DEPLOYMENT:
A. PRE-EMBARKATION
LEAVE/TRAVEL. DEPLOYMENTS OF LESS THAN SIX MONTHS DURATION DO NOT ATTRACT A
PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE ENTITLEMENT.
6. ON DEPLOYMENT:
A.
REHABILITATION
AND COMPENSATION. SVC ON OP OSIER WILL BE COVERED UNDER THE MILITARY
REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION ACT (MRCA).
B.
MEMBERS
DEPLOYED ON OP OSIER MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTION FROM AUSTRALIAN INCOME TAX
UNDER SECTION 23AG OF THE ITAA. SECTION 23AG IS A GENERAL PROVISION THAT
EXEMPTS CERTAIN FOREIGN EARNINGS WHERE YOU HAVE ENGAGED IN FOREIGN SERVICE FOR
A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN 91 DAYS. IN THE ABSENCE OF QUALIFYING FOR
A SECTION 23AG EXEMPTION, MEMBERS MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM THE OVERSEAS DEFENCE
FORCES REBATE. THIS EQUATES TO AUD 338 PLUS 50 PERCENT OF ANY OTHER ENTITLED
REBATES PER ANNUM ON A PRO RATA BASIS. FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THE
DTMO WEBSITE AT http://www.defence.gov.au/cfo/ (ALL LOWER CASE).
C.
DEPLOYMENT
ALLOWANCE. IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE DECLARATION OF NON-WARLIKE SERVICE, DEPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE
HAS BEEN APPROVED AT THE RATE OF DOLLARS FIFTY NINE CENTS TWENTY (AUD 59.20)
PER DAY. DEPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE IS PAID FOR EACH DAY OR PART DAY OF SERVICE IN
THE OP OSIER SPECIFIED AREA DEFINED AT PARA
4. THE ALLOWANCE IS PAYABLE FOR LEAVE ACCRUED INSIDE THE OP OSIER SPECIFIED
AREA PLUS AN ADDITIONAL TWO DAYS WORTH OF ALLOWANCES FOR EACH FIVE DAYS OF
LEAVE ACCRUED. THIS IS TO COMPENSATION FOR WEEKENDS
WHEN TAKING THE LEAVE. DEPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE IS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX.
D.
OTHER
ALLOWANCES. OTHER SALARY RELATED ALLOWANCES, INCLUDING SEPARATION ALLOWANCE,
ARE PAYABLE IAW NORMAL POLICY.
E.
MEALS
AND ACCOMMODATION. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT MEALS AND ACCOMMODATION WILL BE
PROVIDED AT COMMONWEALTH EXPENSE. MEMBERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE THEIR
OWN MEALS MAY QUALIFY FOR THE PAYMENT OF TA (INCLUDING INCIDENTALS) IAW NORMAL
POLICY. MEMBERS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR CHARGES FOR MEALS AND ACCOMMODATION
PROVIDED IN THE OP OSIER SPECIFIED AREA. ACCOMMODATION CONTRIBUTIONS
FOR MWODS LIVING IN OR LIVING OUT WHO RETAIN ACCOMMODATION IN AUSTRALIA WILL BE
WAIVED IAW NORMAL PROVISIONS.
F.
OTHER
ALLOWANCES RELATING TO LONG AND SHORT-TERM DUTY OVERSEAS ARE NOT PAYABLE.
G.
ADDITIONAL
RECREATION LEAVE (ARL). IN ADDITION TO BASIC RECREATION LEAVE PERSONNEL ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR ARL AT A RATE OF TEN DAYS PER YEAR ON A PRO RATA BASIS FOR SERVICE
INSIDE THE SPECIFIED AREA.
H.
OTHER
LEAVE. FIELD LEAVE, FLYING LEAVE OR SEAGOING LEAVE MAY BE GRANTED IAW PACMAN.
PRIOR SERVICE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN ASSESSING THE AMOUNT OF LEAVE
A MEMBER MAY ACCRUE IN THE OP OSIER SPECIFIED AREA. AS MEMBERS DEPLOYED ON
NON-WARLIKE OPERATIONS ARE IN RECEIPT OF DEPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE AND ARL, ERL IS
NOT TO BE GRANTED FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
I.
RELIEF
OUT OF COUNTRY TRAVEL FARES ASSISTANCE (ROCTFA). DEPLOYMENTS OF LESS THAN SIX
MONTHS DO NOT ATTRACT ROCTFA.
J.
COMMUNICATIONS.
ACCESS TO TELEPHONE AND MAIL SERVICES IS NOT A CONDITION OF SERVICE. MEMBERS
MAY BE PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELEPHONE AUSTRALIA. THE FREQUENCY AND
DURATION OF THESE CALLS IS TO BE SET BY HQAST.
K.
HONOURS
AND AWARDS. MEMBERS
ASSIGNED TO OP OSIER WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE AWARD OF THE ASM FOR 30 DAYS OF
ELIGIBLE SERVICE.
DEPLOYMENTS FOR SIX
MONTHS OR MORE
7.
THE
FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS APPLY TO PERSONNEL DEPLOYING FOR SIX MONTHS OR
MORE.
8.
PRE-EMBARKATION
LEAVE/TRAVEL AND DISEMBARKATION TRAVEL. PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE AND TRAVEL AND
DISEMBARKATION TRAVEL MAY BE GRANTED BY UNIT COMMANDERS DEPENDING ON THE
OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL ADF POLICY.
9. REMOVALS
FOR MWD. THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE (THERE MUST BE A REMAINING
DEPLOYMENT TENURE OF SIX MONTHS AT THE TIME THE REMOVAL IS EFFECTED):
A. LEAVE
DEPENDANTS IN CURRENT POSTING LOCATION AND REMAIN IN EXISTING SERVICE RESIDENCE
OR CONTINUE TO RECEIVE RA, AS APPLICABLE,
B.
WHERE
THE DHA LOCAL HMC MANAGER IS SATISFIED (AND IF NECESSARY IN CONSULTATION WITH
THE UNIT OC/CO) THERE IS A COMPELLING NEED FOR SUPPORT TO THE MEMBERS
DEPENDANT(S) FROM EXTENDED FAMILY, THE MEMBER IS ELIGIBLE FOR REMOVAL OF
DEPENDANT(S) TO AN ELECTED DESTINATION WITHIN AUSTRALIA WHERE FAMILY SUPPORT IS
AVAILABLE AND RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING REMOVAL ENTITLEMENTS:
(1). FAMILY
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE. WHERE A REMOVAL ENTITLEMENT EXISTS THEN, ONCE DURING THE
DEPLOYMENT, THE MEMBER MAY RELOCATE DEPENDENT(S) AND THEIR PERSONAL EFFECTS TO
A LOCALITY WHERE EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE AND CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A HOME IN
POSTING LOCALITY. NO HOUSING ASSISTANCE IS
AVAILABLE IN THE NEW LOCALITY, OR
(2). LIMITED
REMOVAL OF THE DEPENDANTS PERSONAL EFFECTS (EXCLUDING FURNITURE) AND ONE MOTOR
VEHICLE TO AN ELECTED DESTINATION. STORAGE OF FURNITURE AND EFFECTS IN A DHA
APPROVED STORAGE FACILITY AT POSTING LOCALITY. ON RETURN FROM DEPLOYMENT, A
SUBSEQUENT REMOVAL OF THESE EFFECTS FROM THE ELECTED DESTINATION AND STORAGE
FACILITY TO THE MEMBERS RESIDENCE, OR
(3). WHERE
SUITABLE HOUSING IS NOT AVAILABLE IN FAMILY SUPPORT LOCALITY, FULL REMOVAL TO
AN ELECTED DESTINATION AND ON RETURN FROM DEPLOYMENT, A SUBSEQUENT REMOVAL FROM
THE ELECTED DESTINATION TO THE MEMBERS POSTING LOCALITY.
(4). IN CASES
WHERE THE MEMBER IS APPROVED TO UNDERTAKE A REMOVAL, EITHER TO STORE OR TO THE
ELECTED DESTINATION, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE MEMBER WILL BE ALLOCATED
THE SAME ACCOMMODATION ON RETURN TO THE OLD POSTING LOCALITY.
C. ALL COSTS
FOR REMOVAL, STORAGE AND INSURANCE OF STORED ITEMS (IN A DHA APPROVED STORAGE
FACILITY) WILL BE MET AT PUBLIC EXPENSE FOR THE DURATION OF THE DEPLOYMENT,
D. SUBJECT TO
THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENT PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT, TRAVEL FOR THE DEPENDANTS AND
THE MEMBER TO THE ELECTED DESTINATION IN AUSTRALIA AND RETURN TRAVEL FOR THE
MEMBER BACK TO THE CONCENTRATION AREA BY THE ENTITLED MEANS,
E. ON RETURN
FROM THE DEPLOYMENT, THE MEMBER MAY RECEIVE TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FROM THE POINT OF
ENTRY BACK INTO AUSTRALIA TO THE ELECTED DESTINATION AND SUBSEQUENT TRAVEL FOR
THE MEMBER AND DEPENDANTS TO THE MEMBERS POSTING LOCALITY BY THE ENTITLED
MEANS,
F. DISTURBANCE
ALLOWANCE. FOR OPTIONS 9.B.1 AND 9.B.2, REMOVAL TO AND FROM FAMILY SUPPORT LOCALITY IS TO COUNT AS
ONE COMPLETE REMOVAL FOR DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCE PURPOSES,
G. STORAGE
COSTS OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOSS ON SALE ON ONE VEHICLE AND ONE TOWABLE ITEM,
H. TEMPORARY
ACCOMMODATION ALLOWANCE,
I. RA FOR
DEPENDANTS RESIDING IN ACCOMMODATION AT THE ELECTED DESTINATION DURING THE
PERIOD OF DEPLOYMENT, AND ANY OTHER NORMAL REMOVAL ALLOWANCE WITHIN AUSTRALIA
AS APPLICABLE.
10. REMOVALS OR
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FOR EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT MUST RESULT FROM A NEED THAT
EXTENDS FOR THE DURATION, OR AT LEAST A SIGNIFICANT PORTION, OF THE MEMBERS
ABSENCE ON DEPLOYMENT.
11 FOR SINGLE
PARENT MWD WHO DEPLOY OR WHERE BOTH PARENTS ARE ADF MEMBERS AND ARE DEPLOYED AT
THE SAME TIME, A REMOVAL OF FURNITURE AND/OR EFFECTS TO STORAGE WILL BE
APPROVED, IF REQUIRED. THIS INCLUDES TRAVEL OF CHILDREN TO AN APPROPRIATE
LOCALITY WITHIN AUSTRALIA FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT AND
STORAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND TOWABLE ITEMS.
12. REMOVAL/TRAVEL
PROVISIONS ARE LIMITED TO TRAVEL WITHIN AUSTRALIA. IF THE REQUIREMENT FOR
EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT IS RECOGNISED AND A MEMBER OR DEPENDANT REQUESTS TRAVEL
TO AN OVERSEAS DESTINATION, ASSISTANCE IS LIMITED TO THE COST OF TRAVEL BY THE
ENTITLED MEANS TO AND FROM THE INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL IN AUSTRALIA NEAREST THE
MEMBERS LOCALITY OF POSTING FROM WHICH A FLIGHT DEPARTS TO THE OVERSEAS
LOCALITY.
13. REMOVALS FOR
MWOD:
a.
FOR
THE MEMBER LIVING IN – REMOVAL OF PERSONAL EFFECTS FROM THE LIVING-IN
ACCOMMODATION TO A DHA APPROVED STORE.
b.
FOR
MEMBERS LIVING OUT - REMOVAL OF FURNITURE AND EFFECTS TO A DHA APPROVED
STORE. DEFENCE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TERMINATION OF LEASE COSTS RESULTING
FROM EARLY TERMINATION OF LEASES.
c.
STORAGE
OR LOSS ON SALE OF A VEHICLE AND A TOWABLE ITEM MAY BE PAYABLE. STORAGE OF
MOTOR VEHICLES AND TOWABLE ITEMS SHOULD BE ARRANGED ON BASE WHEREVER
PRACTICAL. WHERE THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, STORAGE MAY BE ARRANGED AT PUBLIC
EXPENSE AT A DHA APPROVED STORAGE FACILITY.
d.
MEMBERS
VEHICLE MAY BE REMOVED TO AN ELECTED DESTINATION FOR STORAGE (EG. PARENTS
LOCALITY). IF THIS OCCURS, THE MEMBER MAY BE REIMBURSED THE COSTS ASSOCIATED
WITH REMOVING A VEHICLE TO AND FROM THE ELECTED DESTINATION. THE LIMITATION OF
COSTS IS UP TO THE VALUE OF THE STORAGE OF THE VEHICLE IN A DHA APPROVED
FACILITY FOR THE DURATION OF THE DEPLOYMENT.
e.
DISTURBANCE
ALLOWANCE. REMOVAL TO AND FROM STORE IS TO COUNT AS ONE COMPLETE REMOVAL FOR
DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCE PURPOSES.
14. RELIEF OUT OF COUNTRY TRAVEL FARES
ASSISTANCE (ROCTFA). FOR DEPLOYMENTS OF SIX MONTHS OR LONGER, ROCTFA MAY BE
APPROVED SUBJECT TO OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS AND IS PROVIDED IN CONJUNCTION WITH
THE TAKING OF AT LEAST FIVE DAYS RECREATION LEAVE. ONE ROCTFA ENTITLEMENT MAY
BE APPROVED FOR EACH SIX MONTHS OF DEPLOYMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, A 12 MONTH
DEPLOYMENT WOULD ATTRACT TWO ROCTFA ENTITLEMENTS.
A.
THE ROCTFA DESTINATION
FOR MWD WHO WISH TO RETURN TO AUSTRALIA IS LIMITED TO THE PREVIOUS POSTING
LOCALITY OR ALTERNATIVELY THE LOCATION TO WHICH THE FAMILY HAS BEEN MOVED AT
PUBLIC EXPENSE. FOR MWOD WHO WISH TO RETURN TO AUSTRALIA THE DESTINATION IS
LIMITED TO THE PREVIOUS POSTING LOCATION OR ALTERNATIVELY THE REPORTED LOCALITY
OF THE NEXT OF KIN FOR RECREATION LEAVE FREE TRAVEL PURPOSES. THERE IS NO
OFFSET FOR THIS ENTITLEMENT.
B.
FOR MEMBERS
WHO DO NOT WISH TO RETURN TO AUSTRALIA THE ROCTFA DESTINATION IS ROME. MEMBERS
MAY OFFSET THE COST OF RETURN TRAVEL TO ROME AGAINST THE COST OF TRAVEL TO AN
ALTERNATIVE DESTINATION. THE ALTERNATIVE DESTINATION MUST BE SUITABLE AS A
ROCTFA DESTINATION AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMANDING OFFICER.
THIRD
COUNTRY DEPLOYMENTS
15. STRATEGIC OPERATIONS DIVISION WILL ISSUE APPROVAL FOR TCD TO HADS/DA.
16. FOR DEPLOYMENTS OF AN EXPECTED TENURE OF LESS THAN SIX MONTHS NO REMOVAL
OR TRAVEL ASSISTANCE IS TO BE PROVIDED.
17. FOR DEPLOYMENTS OF AN EXPECTED DURATION OF SIX MONTHS OR GREATER:
A. ROCTFA.
SUBJECT TO THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENT OF THE HOST FORCE THE ROCTFA PROVISIONS
AT PARA 14 AND 15 MAY BE UTILISED. UTILISATION OF HOST COUNTRIES SERVICE AIR
AVAILABILITY TO TRAVEL TO UK WITH HOST UNIT MAY BE USED IN LIEU OF ROCTFA
ENTITLEMENT. IF THIS OPTION IS TAKEN, HADS(L) ARE TO ARRANGE MESS
ACCOMMODATION IN LONDON IN LINE WITH PAST ARRANGEMENTS.
B. ACCOMPANIED
MEMBERS. IF A MEMBER LEAVES THE POSTING LOCALITY ON DUTY AND THEIR SPOUSE
REMAINS AT THE POST, THE MEMBER REMAINS ENTITLED TO THE ACCOMPANIED RATE OF OLA
C.
UNACCOMPANIED
MEMBERS. IF AN UNACCOMPANIED MEMBER LEAVES THE LOCALITY OF POSTING ON DUTY THEY
REMAIN ENTITLED TO THE UNACCOMPANIED RATE OF OLA FOR TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS AFTER
WHICH THEIR ENTITLEMENT IS FOR COLA ONLY.
D.
REMOVAL/TRAVEL
ENTITLEMENT. WHEN THE DEPLOYMENT IS OF AN EXPECTED DURATION OF SIX MONTHS OR
GREATER AND WHERE THERE IS AN EXPECTED TENURE OF AT LEAST SIX MONTHS IN COUNTRY
OF POSTING AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT FINISHES, MEMBERS MAY APPLY FOR A REMOVAL
ENTITLEMENT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF PACMAN CHAPTER FOUR. ENTITLEMENT IS BASED
ON THE NEED FOR EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT. THE EXPECTED PERIOD OF RESIDENCE IN
AUSTRALIA IS TO BE FOR AT LEAST THE MAJOR PART OF THE MEMBERS DEPLOYMENT.
REMOVAL OF HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS AND VEHICLES TO STORE AND STORAGE WILL BE MET AT
COMMONWEALTH EXPENSE. FAMILIES MAY BE PROVIDED WITH TRAVEL TO AN ELECTED
DESTINATION IN AUSTRALIA AND RETURN UPON THE RETURN OF THE MEMBER TO THE
POSTING LOCALITY. THE DURATION REQUIREMENTS AT PARA 10 APPLY.
E.
ACCOMMODATION
CONTRIBUTION. WHERE A MEMBERS FAMILY HAS RETURNED TO AUSTRALIA, THE MEMBER HAS
AN ENTITLEMENT TO ACCOMMODATION ASSISTANCE FOR DEPENDANT(S) AT ELECTED
DESTINATION. MEMBER WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION FOR ACCOMMODATION
AT ELECTED DESTINATION. RUC WOULD NOT BE PAYABLE IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.
F.
MEMBER
RETAINS ACCOMMODATION AT OVERSEAS POSTING LOCATION. NO ENTITLEMENT TO
ACCOMMODATION ASSISTANCE FOR DEPENDANT(S) AT ELECTED DESTINATION. MEMBER
CONTINUES TO PAY RUC FOR ACCOMMODATION AT OVERSEAS POST.
18. RECORDING OF
PERSONNEL DETAILS. OVERSEAS POST ADMIN STAFF ARE REMINDED OF THE REQUIREMENT
FOR TCD TO BE APPROVED BEFORE ANY DEPLOYMENT INTO AN OPERATIONAL AREA IS
UNDERTAKEN. DETAILS OF NAME, RANK, EMP ID NUMBER, DATE(S) IN AND DATE(S) OUT
OF THE SPECIFIED AREA
OF PERS APPROVED TO UNDERTAKE TCD ARE TO BE FORWARDED
TO HQJOC, SOD, DEFPAY MELBOURNE AND DEFENCE SERVICE CONDITIONS AT THE END OF
EACH DEPLOYMENT.
COORDINATING
INSTRUCTIONS
19. EXCHANGE
PERSONNEL. PERS FROM OTHER FORCES ON EXCHANGE WITH THE ADF AND DEPLOYED
TO OP OSIER HAVE NO ENTITLEMENT TO THE ADF DEPLOYMENT PACKAGE.
21. QUESTIONS.
ALL QUERIES REGARDING CONDITIONS OF SERVICE ENTITLEMENTS ARE TO BE FORWARDED
THROUGH THE NORMAL CHAIN OF COMMAND.