8.6.1 Purpose
8.6.2 Definition
8.6.3 Member this Part applies
to
8.6.4 Special needs assistance
8.6.5 Restrictions on
assistance
8.6.6 Assessment of assistance
on posting
8.6.7 Special needs pre-posting
visits
8.6.8 Assistance at the new
posting location
8.6.9 Assistance with respite,
personal care or therapy services
8.6.10 Assistance with equipment hire
8.6.11 Education assistance for
children with special needs
8.6.12 Special housing needs
8.6.13 Special accommodation during
removal
8.6.14 Allowable travel time
8.6.15 Remote location leave travel
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The purpose of this Part is to provide support during posting to a member who has a dependant with recognised special needs. |
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The following definition applies to this Part. |
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Term |
Definition in this Part |
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Early Intervention Program |
A program run by a government organisation, accredited non-government organisation or accredited private provider that provides assistance to promote the development of preschool aged children with special needs. |
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This Part applies to a member who has a dependant who has been formally recognised as having special needs under clause 1.3.82. See: Chapter 1 Part 3 Division 2 clause 1.3.82, Dependant with special needs |
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A member who has been formally recognised as having a dependant with special needs under clause 1.3.82, and who has been granted a removal as a result of a posting may be eligible for any of the following types of assistance. See: Chapter 1 Part 3 Division 2 clause 1.3.82, Dependant with special needs |
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a. |
A special needs pre-posting visit. See: Clause 8.6.7, Special needs pre-posting visits |
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b. |
Assistance with costs for required services. See: Clause 8.6.9, Assistance with respite, personal care or therapy services |
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c. |
Assistance with the cost of hiring special equipment in the new posting location. See: Clause 8.6.10, Assistance with equipment hire |
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d. |
Assistance with education for children with special needs. See: Clause 8.6.11, Education assistance for children with special needs |
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e. |
Special accommodation requirements at the new posting location. See: Clause 8.6.12, Special housing needs |
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f. |
Special accommodation during removal between the old and new posting locations. See: Clause 8.6.13, Special accommodation during removal |
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1. |
A member, who has been formally recognised as having a dependant with special needs under clause 1.3.82, will not be eligible for assistance under this Part for services that are being provided by other Commonwealth, State or Territory Government departments or Government funded agencies. |
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2. |
Where the spouse or interdependent partner of a member with a dependant with special needs is also a Service member, the family only has one entitlement to assistance under this Part. |
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1. |
An assessment of assistance by the Defence Community Organisation for a member with a dependant with special needs ensures that the member receives the appropriate level of assistance in the new posting location. |
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2. |
When a member has received a posting order and wishes to seek assistance under this Part, they must apply in writing to the Director General Defence Community Organisation for an assessment of assistance using Form AD 355 – Assessment of assistance on posting (set out in Annex 8.6.A), and including the relevant supporting paperwork. See: Annex 8.6.A, Dependants with special needs |
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a. |
When the relevant supporting documentation is less than two years old, no further report is required as a part of the relevant supporting paperwork, unless there has been a change to the original recognised special needs or in the type or level of assistance required. See: Subclause 1.3.82.5, Dependant with special needs. |
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b. |
When the relevant supporting paperwork is older than two years, an updated report from an appropriate specialist provider that includes a management and treatment plan is required as a part of the relevant supporting paperwork. |
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c. |
Where the condition has deteriorated and additional assistance is needed, a specialist medical report is required as a part of the relevant supporting paperwork, to verify the change in condition. |
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3. |
When there has been no change in the requirements for the dependant with special needs, and no change in the future is foreseeable, a report that is older than two years but less than five years old may be accepted by the Director General Defence Community Organisation. |
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4. |
If a member does not qualify for assistance under clause 8.6.3, the Director General Defence Community Organisation may approve reasonable financial assistance when both of the following apply. |
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a. |
The member does not qualify for assistance because of circumstances beyond their reasonable control. |
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b. |
The financial assistance would be consistent with providing assistance for a dependant with special needs under this Part. |
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1. |
A pre-posting visit allows a member to plan and make arrangements for the dependant with special needs at the new posting location when the arrangements cannot be made from the old posting location. |
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2. |
The member must apply in writing using Form AC 834 – Application for special needs pre-posting visit, in Annex 8.6.A, including all relevant supporting documentation. See: Annex 8.6.A, Dependants with special needs |
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3. |
The application must be provided to the member's Commanding Officer at the losing location for a pre-posting visit. |
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4. |
The Commanding Officer must assess the application and make a written recommendation to the Director General Defence Community Organisation. |
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5. |
The Director General Defence Community Organisation may approve the application for a special needs pre-posting visit, having regard to the following. |
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a. |
Evidence of recognition as a member with a dependant with special needs. See: Chapter 1 Part 3 Division 2 clause 1.3.82, Dependant with special needs |
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b. |
Evidence of the requirement for the dependant with special needs to have direct contact with the relevant departments or institutions in the new posting location. |
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c. |
A proposed detailed itinerary for the pre-posting visit. |
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d. |
Any other information to support a pre-posting visit. |
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6. |
Special needs pre-posting visits are separate from, and in addition to, approved house-hunting trips. Relevant information: Chapter 7 Part 1 Division 4, House-hunting trips |
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7. |
When a special needs pre-posting visit has been granted the member, spouse or interdependent partner, and the dependant with special needs are entitled to travel and accommodation at Commonwealth expense at the rates outlined in Annex 9.5.A. See: Annex 9.5.A, Amounts for accommodation, meals and incidentals for travelling allowance and travel card |
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8. |
The Director General Defence Community Organisation may approve additional funding if it is necessary for two people to accompany the dependant with special needs on a pre-posting visit. |
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9. |
Special needs pre-posting visits are to be made using the most economical means of travel. The Director General Defence Community Organisation may grant an alternative means of travel having regards to the needs of the dependant. Example: A member has been granted a special
needs pre-posting visit between Sydney and Brisbane. The most economical
means of travel is by plane. The dependant with special needs is unable to
fly due to medical reasons. The member may be granted the use of a private
vehicle to drive to See: Chapter 9 Part 1 clause 9.1.2, Most economical means of travel |
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All assistance provided under clause 8.6.9 and 8.6.10 at the new posting location is for services and equipment that the dependant with special needs is eligible to receive from Government funded agencies but is on a waiting list for. See: |
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2. |
If a member is receiving, or starts to receive, services from State or Territory Government agencies, support under this Part for those services will no longer be provided. Example: A member is receiving assistance for therapy services for a dependant with special needs in the new posting location while on the waiting list for State funded assistance. The State funded therapy service becomes available to the member's dependant. The member is no longer entitled to assistance for therapy services under this Part. |
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Assistance under clauses 8.6.9 and 8.6.10 may be approved by the Director General Defence Community Organisation. Advice from the State or Territory Government agency will be considered when determining the period of assistance. |
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The Director General Defence Community Organisation may approve an extended period of assistance on written application from the member, when access to assistance provided by the State or Territory agencies takes a longer period. The member needs to provide advice from the relevant State or Territory agency that the dependant with special needs is still on a waiting list. |
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5. |
Assistance that is approved for a member with a dependant with special needs is paid by the following means. |
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Item |
If the services were... |
Defence Community Organisation will... |
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1. |
paid for by the member |
reimburse the cost of the services on presentation of receipts to DCO. |
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2. |
provided and an invoice was issued by the service provider |
pay the service provider on presentation of the invoice. |
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Members with dependants with special needs may be provided with financial support for the following services when State or Territory assistance is not available or has a waiting period. |
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a. |
Respite care. |
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b. |
Personal care. |
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c. |
Therapy services. |
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d. |
Early intervention programs. |
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2. |
The member must apply in writing for the services listed in subclause 1 to the Director General Defence Community Organisation using Form AC 835 – Application for assistance with respite, personal care or therapy services (set out in Annex 8.6.A), including all relevant supporting paperwork. See: Annex 8.6.A, Dependants with special needs |
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3. |
The Director General Defence Community Organisation may approve an application for assistance, having regard to the following. |
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a. |
Evidence of recognition as a member with a dependant with special needs. See: Chapter 1 Part 3 Division 2 clause 1.3.82, Dependant with special needs |
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b. |
Evidence of the placement on a waiting list for therapy and respite services. |
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c. |
Evidence that the assistance applied for was provided in the previous posting location, or that the family was on a waiting list in that location. |
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4. |
Financial assistance is only provided until State or Territory assistance is received by the member. |
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5. |
Respite care at Commonwealth expense will only be provided when no other forms of care are available. Example: A member with a dependant with special needs who is eligible to receive respite care through a State or Territory agency may be placed on a waiting list. They may not be able to be provided with the care under formal or informal arrangements. Then respite care will be provided at Commonwealth expense. |
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1. |
A member with a dependant with special needs may be provided with financial support to allow them to hire equipment in the new posting location when some or all of the following conditions apply. |
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a. |
Specialist equipment that was used at the old posting location was provided by a local Government service or was not transportable. |
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b. |
The dependant was on a waiting list for the equipment at the old posting location. |
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c. |
The dependant is on a waiting list in the new location. |
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2. |
The member must apply in writing to the Director General Defence Community Organisation using Form AC 836 – Application for assistance to hire equipment (set out in Annex 8.6.A), including all relevant supporting paperwork for assistance with financial costs for equipment hire. See: Annex 8.6.A, Dependants with special needs |
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3. |
The Director General Defence Community Organisation may approve the application for financial assistance under this clause, having regard to the following. |
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a. |
Evidence of recognition as a member with family with special needs. See: Chapter 1 Part 3 Division 2 clause 1.3.82, Dependant with special needs |
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b. |
Evidence of an approved application for placement on waiting lists for Government funded services at the new posting location. |
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c. |
Evidence that the type of equipment applied for was provided at the previous posting location, or that the family was on a waiting list in that location. |
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d. |
Evidence that equipment is not transportable or was provided by Government funded services at the previous posting location. |
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Financial assistance is only provided until State or Territory assistance is received by the member. |
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Education assistance for children with special needs is provided under clause 8.4.12. See: Part 4 Division 2 clause 8.4.12, Children with special needs |
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Housing support may be provided to a member with a dependant with special needs at the new posting location if there is a special accommodation requirement. |
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2. |
The support provided is limited to the following. |
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a. |
Consideration of the special needs by Defence Housing Australia when allocating a Service residence. |
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b. |
Modifications that do not significantly alter the structure of the house. Example: Some modifications that may be
provided include: |
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c. |
Housing located close to the dependant's school. |
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d. |
Increased rent ceiling for a rental property required to accommodation the special needs. See: Chapter 7 Part 6 Division 2 paragraph 7.6.12.2.b, CDF may increase rent ceiling |
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The Director of Entitlements may approve any of the following modifications on written application from the member. |
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a. |
Modifications that are similar to those at the member's residence in the previous posting location. |
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b. |
Window mounted air conditioners and heaters that are portable and have been purchased by the member may be installed or removed at Commonwealth expense. Note: Split-system air conditions are not classified as portable. Installation and removal costs of these units will not be assisted by the Commonwealth. See: Chapter 6 Part 6 Division 2 clause 6.6.14, Technical help for dismantling and installing items. |
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Removal of carpets where specialist medical advice based on appropriate allergy testing (for example, skin prick tests), has identified carpet as a trigger for a severe allergic reaction. |
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d. |
Modifications that improve accessibility for the dependant. Example: Ramps, alterations to showers and toilets. |
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4. |
Members who have a dependant with special needs and have received a posting order must contact Defence Housing Australia with their requirements, if they would like them taken into account. |
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5. |
Members who have a dependant with special needs, but have not been posted, may apply in writing to the Director of Entitlements for housing assistance provided under this clause. |
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6. |
When a member has been granted installation and removal at Commonwealth expense of a split system air conditioner purchased before 29 June 2007, the member is entitled to have that system installed and removed at Commonwealth expense until 30 June 2012. |
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1. |
If a member requires special accommodation during a removal for a dependant with special needs, the CDF will approve additional assistance for the special accommodation. Examples: Some of special accommodation
requirements can include the following. |
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Accommodation costs during a removal for a member and their dependants can be found in Annex 9.5.A See: Annex 9.5.A, Amounts for accommodation, meals and incidentals for travelling allowance and travel card |
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Persons who can make the decision under subclause 8.6.13.1 on behalf of the CDF: A person not below WO2/APS 4 who is: - Housing Management Centre (HMC) Manager - Relocations Manager for the Housing Management Centre - Removals Team Leader in the Housing Management Centre - National Relocations Manager - National Operations – Removals Manager |
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A member with a dependant with special needs may be entitled to travel shorter distances each day when travelling. See: Chapter 9 Part 6 Division 1 clause 9.6.7, Definitions, item 2.c |
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A member with a dependant with special needs living in a remote location, who is entitled to remote location leave travel, may be entitled to an alternate means of travel. See: Chapter 9 Part 4 Division 4 subclause 9.4.31.2A, Scheme B – member with dependants |