UNCLASSIFIED

 

DEFENCE SERVICE CONDITIONS MESSAGE

ORIG No:  DSC PERS 039/09

DTG:  040219Z SEP 09

 

SUBJ: ADF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE (COS) – opERATION RIVERBANK

A.                DEFENCE service conditions message pers 022/09 of 150551z jun 09

B.                PACMAN version two – chapter 17

C.               DEFENCE DETERMINATION 2009/39 DATED 15 Jun 09

D.               defence determination 2009/55 dated 3 sep 09

SITUATION

1.                 MINDEF HAS DECLARED SERVICE BY ADF PERS ON OP RIVERBANK AS WARLIKE EFFECTIVE ON AND FROM 21JUL08. this msg represents a consolidation of previous msg into a single current op riverbank cos msg and replaces ref a.

op RIVERBANK specified area

2.                 THE OP RIVERBANK SPECIFIED AREA comprises IRAQ.

MISSION

3.      TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF THE COS FOR OP RIVERBANK.  THIS MSG IS TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH REFERENCE b.

ELIGIBILITY

4.         TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FOL COS, ADF PERS MUST:

a.         BE ASSIGNED for duty TO OP RIVERBANK, AND

B.                 BE WITHIN THE OP RIVERBANK SPECIFIED AREA.

5.         ADF PERS WHO ENTER THE SPECIFIED AREA BUT ARE NOT ASSIGNED for duty TO OP RIVERBANK ARE NOT ENTITLED TO OP RIVERBANK WARLIKE COS.

DEPLOYMENTS FOR LESS THAN SIX MONTHS

6.         PRE-DEPLOYMENT

A.                  PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE/TRAVEL. deployments of less than six months do not attract pre-deployment leave and traveL entitlements. SOME PROVISION EXISTS FOR SPECIAL CASES, SEE PACMAN V2-17.4.7

7.         ON DEPLOYMENT

A.         REPATRIATION AND COMPENSATION.  SVC ON OP RIVERBANK is COVERED UNDER the military REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION ACT. 

B.         TAXATION.  ADF MEMBERS ON WARLIKE SERVICE ARE EXEMPT FROM TAX ON ADF SALARY AND ALLOWANCES EARNED AS A RESULT OF THEIR SERVICE INSIDE THE SPECIFIED AREA.  AS SUCH TREASURY HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO INCLUDE OP RIVERBANK ON THE LIST OF OPERATIONS TO WHICH SECTION 23AD OF THE INCOME TAX ASSESSMENT ACT 1936 (EXEMPTION) applies.

C.        HOME LOAN. adf members rendering warlike service are entitled to enhanced provisions under the defence HOME OWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE SCHEME.

D.        THE ALLOWANCE.  IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DECLARATION OF WARLIKE SERVICE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN ALLOWANCE (ICA) HAS BEEN APPROVED AT THE RATE OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS (AUD150) FOR EACH DAY OR PART DAY OF SERVICE IN IRAQ. THE ALLOWANCE IS ALSO PAYABLE FOR leave ACCRUED INSIDE the SPECIFIED AREA. SERVICE OUTSIDE IRAQ ATTRACTS PEACETIME COS, WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE ICA OR DEPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE. 

E.                 OTHER ALLOWANCES.  OTHER SALARY RELATED ALLOWANCES INCLUDING SEPARATION, special forces DISABILITY, flying and field allowances ARE PAYABLE IAW NORMAL POLICY (that is, payable if the prescribed conditions for payment are met).

F.         MEALs AND ACCN.  MEMBERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN MEALS AND WHO ARE NOT IN RECEIPT OF UN MISSION SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE (MSA) MAY QUALIFY FOR THE PAYMENT OF TRAVELLING COSTS (INCLUDING INCIDENTALS) IAW NORMAL POLICY. FOR PERS WHO RECEIVE MSA FROM THE UN TO COVER THE COSTS OF ACCN, FOOD AND MISC EXPENSES THERE IS NO ENTITLEMENT TO ADDITIONAL PAYMENT FOR THESE SAME COSTS UNDER PACMAN CH13 PART 3, EXCEPT WHERE MSA DOES NOT COVER ACTUAL COSTS IN WHICH CASE A CLAIM MAY BE MADE IAW PACMAN ARTICLE 13.3.12. MEMBERS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR CHARGES FOR MEALS AND ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED IN THE OP RIVERBANK SPECIFIED AREA.

G.        OTHER ALLOWANCES RELATING TO LONG AND SHORT-TERM non-operational DUTY OVERSEAS ARE NOT PAYABLE.

H.        WAR SERVICE LEAVE.   WAR SERVICE LEAVE WILL ACCRUE AT THE RATE OF 18 DAYS PER ANNUM PRO RATED TO A DAILY RATE FOR EACH DAY OF SERVICE IN THE SPECIFIED AREA.  ON COMPLETION OF DEPLOYMENT, WAR SERVICE LEAVE SHOULD BE THE FIRST LEAVE TAKEN.

I.          OTHER LEAVE.  FIELD LEAVE MAY BE GRANTED IAW PACMAN V2 where prescribed conditions for accrual are met.  AS PERS DEPLOYED ON WARLIKE OPERATIONS ARE IN RECEIPT OF ICA AND WSL, ERL IS NOT TO BE GRANTED FOR THE SAME PERIOD.

J.         RELIEF OUT OF COUNTRY TRAVEL FARES ASSISTANCE (ROCTFA).  DEPLOYMENTS OF LESS THAN SIX MONTHS DO NOT ATTRACT ROCTFA.

K.        cOMMUNICATIONS. access to telephone and mail services is not a COS.  PERS may be provided the opportunity to telephone australia. the frequency and duration of these calls is to be set by hqjoc.

DEPLOYMENTS FOR SIX MONTHS or more

8.         THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS APPLY TO PERS DEPLOYING FOR SIX MONTHS OR MORE.  (note, removals or travel assistance for extended family sPt must result from a need that extends for the duration, or at least a significant portion, of the members absence on deployment.  THERE MAY BE CASES WHERE CIRCUMSTANCES ARISE WHICH COULD NOT HAVE BEEN FORESEEN BY THE FAMILY AND REQUIRE FAMILY SPT.  THESE SITUATIONS WOULD BE LIMITED TO COMPELLING CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS THE ILLNESS OF DEPENDANTS OR SIMILAR).

PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE

9.         PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE UP TO SEVEN DAYS INCLUDING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS MAY BE GRANTED BY UNIT COMD DEPENDING ON THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.   PERS MAY BE GRANTED FREE TRAVEL WITHIN AUSTRALIA TO their HOME LOC WHEN PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE IS GRANTED.  IF A RECREATION LEAVE FREE TRAVEL ENTITLEMENT EXISTS THIS IS TO BE USED IN LIEU.  AS AN ALT, SPOUSES, CHILDREN, PARENTs, SIBLINGS OR ANY OTHER PERSON(S) NOMINATED BY THE MEMBER MAY BE APPROVED TO BE CONVEYED AT PUBLIC EXPENSE TO THE MEMBERS LOC PROVIDING THE COST DOES NOT EXCEED THAT WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPENDED IF PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE AND PRE-EMBARKATION LEAVE TRAVEL HAD BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE MEMBER.

REMOVALS FOR MWD

10. REMOVALS FOR MWD. THE FOL OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE (NORMALLY tHERE MUST BE A REMAINING DEPLOYMENT TENURE OF SIX MONTHS AT THE TIME THE REMOVAL IS EFFECTED):

A. LEAVE DEPENDANTS IN CURRENT POSTING LOC AND REMAIN IN EXISTING SVC 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 SPT 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 SPT IS AVAILABLE AND RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING REMOVAL ENTITLEMENTS:

(1). RELOCATION OF DEPENDANTS.  WHERE A REMOVAL ENTITLEMENT EXISTS THEN, ONCE DURING THE DEPLOYMENT, THE MEMBER MAY RELOCATE DEPENDENT(S) AND THEIR PERSONAL EFFECTS AND ONE MOTOR VEHICLE TO A LOC WHERE EXTENDED FAMILY SPT IS AVAILABLE AND CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A HOME IN POSTING LOC.    NO HOUSING ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE IN THE NEW LOC.  AN OFFSET OF THIS ENTITLEMENT IS AVAILABLE WHERE UP TO TWO EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS may travel to the posting loc.  cost of offset is limited to the amount of NORMAL DEPT liability for travel by two extended family members from their home to thE loc where the members dependants live. 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 SPT LOC, 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 ACCN ON RETURN TO THE OLD POSTING LOC.

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 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTs 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 LOC BY THE ENTITLED MEANS.

F. DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCE.  FOR OPTIONS 10.B.1 AND 10.B.2, REMOVAL TO AND FROM FAMILY SPT LOC IS TO COUNT AS ONE COMPLETE REMOVAL FOR DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCE PURPOSES.

G. STORAGE COSTS OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR LOSS ON SALE Of ONE VEHICLE AND ONE TOWABLE ITEM.

H. TEMPORARY ACCN ALLOWANCE.

I. RA FOR DEPENDANTS RESIDING IN ACCN AT THE ELECTED DESTINATION DURING THE PERIOD OF DEPLOYMENT, AND ANY OTHER NORMAL REMOVAL ALLOWANCE WITHIN AUSTRALIA AS APPLICABLE.

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 SPT AND STORAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLE AND A TOWABLE ITEM.

12. REMOVAL/TRAVEL PROVISIONS ARE LIMITED TO TRAVEL WITHIN AUSTRALIA.  if THE REQUIREMENT FOR EXTENDED FAMILY SPT 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 loc of posting from which a flight departs to the overseas loc.

ACCN / REMOVAL ASSISTANCE FOR MWOD and mwd(u)

13.  MWOD AND MWD(U) ARE REQ TO ELECT TO EITHER:

A.  VACATE THEIR LIVING IN ACCN (LIA) OR RENTAL ALLOWANCE (ra) ACCN FOR THE PERIOD OF THEIR DEPLOYMENT, OR

B.  RETAIN THEIR LIA OR RA ACCN FOR THE PERIOD OF THEIR DEPLOYMENT.

14.  members WHO ELECT TO RETAIN THEIR lia or ra ACCN while deployed are not REQ TO CONTINUE TO PAY THEIR NORMAL RENT CONTRIBUTION.

15.  MEMBERS WHO occupy lia MAY STILL BE REQ TO VACATE THEIR ACCN FOR OPERATIONAL REASONS.

16.  MEMBERS WHO ELECT TO RETAIN THEIR ACCN MUST PROVIDE NOTICE IN WRITING (deployment housing retention form) AS FOL:

A.  LIA – TO CO OR OC WITH A COPY TO RELEVANT ACCN admin CELL and pay admin cell. OR

B.  RA ACCN - TO LOCAL DHA HOUSING MANAGEMENT CENTRE.  DHA MUST ALSO BE NOTIFIED IF THE MEMBER ARRANGES FOR A HOUSE-SITTER TO LIVE IN THEIR RA ACCN OR IF THE MEMBER SUB-LETS THE RA ACCN WHILE THEY ARE ABSENT ON DEPLOYMENT.  MEMBERS WHO ELECT TO SUB-LET THEIR RA ACCN WILL HAVE THEIR RA REDUCED BY THE VALUE OF THE SUB-LEASE.

17.  MEMBERS WHO ELECT TO RETAIN THEIR LIA OR RA ACCN WHEN DEPLOYED SHOULD CHECK WITH THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY TO ENSURE THEY HAVE ADEQUATE COVER DURING THEIR ABSENCE.  THEY SHOULD ALSO CHECK WITH THEIR LANDLORDS WHETHER THERE IS ANY CLAUSE IN THEIR TENANCY AGREEMENT WHICH MAY LIMIT THE PERIOD FOR WHICH THE PREMISES MAY BE LEFT UNOCCUPIED.

18.  MEMBERS WHO ELECT TO VACATE THEIR LIA OR RA ACCN ARE ENTITLED TO:

A.  REMOVAL TO STORE OF FURNITURE AND EFFECTS. 

B.  REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS RESULTING FROM EARLY TERMINATION OF LEASE.  AND

C.  STORAGE OR LOSS ON SALE OF ONE VEH AND ONE TOWABLE ITEM.  STORAGE OF MOTOR VEH AND TOWABLE ITEM SHOULD BE ARRANGED ON BASE WHEREVER PRACTICAble.  WHERE THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, STORAGE MAY BE ARRANGED AT PUBLIC EXPENSE at A dha approved storage facility.

19.  MEMBERS VEH MAY BE REMOVED TO AN ELECTED DESTINATION FOR STORAGE (iE. PARENTS LOCALITY).  IF THIS OCCURS, THE MEMBER MAY BE REIMBURSED THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REMOVING a VEH TO AND FROM THE ELECTED DESTINATION.  THE LIMITATION OF COSTS IS UP TO THE VALUE OF THE STORAGE OF THE VEH in a DHA approved facility FOR THE DURATION OF THE DEPLOYMENT.

20.  APPLICATIONS FOR CWEALTH FUNDED REMOVALS AND STORAGE MUST BE SUBMITTED TO DHA FOR CONSIDERATION.

21.  DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCE.  REMOVAL TO AND FROM STORE IS TO COUNT AS ONE COMPLETE REMOVAL FOR DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCE PURPOSES.

RELIEF OUT OF COUNTRY TRAVEL FARES ASSISTANCE (roctfa)          

22.       FOR DEPLOYMENTS OF SIX MONTHS OR LONGER, ROCTFA MAY BE APPROVED SUBJECT TO OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS AND PROVIDED THE MEMBER PLANS TO BE OUTSIDE OF THE SPECIFIED AREA FOR AT LEAST SEVEN (7) CONSECUTIVE DAYS.  ONE ROCTFA ENTITLEMENT MAY BE APPROVED WHERE DEPLOYMENT IS SIX MONTHS BUT LESS THAN NINE MONTHS, two roctfa where the deployment is nine months but less than twelve months and three roctfa where the deployment is twelve months but less than fifteen MONTHS. REFER TO PACMAN V2-17.7.22 FOR PERIODS EXCEEDING FIFTEEN MONTHS.

23.  THE ROCTFA DESTINATION For MWD who wish to return to AUSTRALIA IS limited to the previous posting loc or alt the loc to which the family has been moved at public expense.  For MWOD who wish to rTA the destination is limited to the previous posTing loc or alt the reported locality of the nOK for recreation leave free travel purposes. There is no offset for this entitlement EXCEPT where the period of deployment is twelve months OR MORE.  PERS DEPLOYED FOR TWELVE MONTHS OR MORE MAY APPLY TO COMBINE TWO TRIPS TO AUSTRALIA THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO AND USE AS AN OFFSET AS DESCRIBED IN PACMAN V2-17.7.22-5.   

24.  For PERS who do not wish to rTA the ROCTFA destination is rome.  PERS may offset the cost of return travel to rome against the cost of travel to an alt destination. The alt destination must be suitable as a ROCTFA destination as determined by CO. 

COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS

25.       EXCHANGE PERS. PERS FROM OTHER countries ON EXCHANGE WITH THE ADF AND DEPLOYED TO OP riverbank HAVE NO ENTITLEMENT TO THE ADF DEPLOYMENT PACKAGE.

26.       THIS SIGNAL AND SUBSEQUENT SIGNALS WILL BE POSTED ON THe PSP page at http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/ AND ON THE INTERNET AT HTTP://WWW.DEFENCE.GOV.AU/DPE/.

27.       QUESTIONS.  ALL QUERIES REGARDING cos ENTITLEMENTS ARE TO BE FWD THROUGH THE CHAIN OF COMD.

 

 

 

UNCLASSIFIED