Media Room: Media Releases

DEFENCE ATTITUDE SURVEY FINDINGS

The Department of Defence today released a summary of the latest Defence Attitude Survey findings. The 2007 Summary of Results reflects the views and opinions of a 30 per cent sample of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and Defence civilian employees surveyed late last year.

The voluntary survey gives Defence personnel an opportunity to comment candidly on a range of employment-related matters that includes leadership, conditions of service and remuneration, career intentions, wellbeing and family issues. Survey findings highlight perceptions of the positive aspects of working in Defence, as well as areas that may require more attention.

A key factor in conducting the Defence Attitude Survey annually is to assess emerging trends in opinions from one year to the next. The 2007 survey findings broadly improve upon those of previous years or are generally consistent with the 2006 results.

Confidence with, and satisfaction in, immediate supervisors remains very positive, as does pride in service, while confidence in senior Defence leadership has increased noticeably since 2001 (Navy by 17 per cent, Army by 23 per cent, Air Force by 32 per cent and civilians by 19 per cent). 

The 2007 survey also shows a marked improvement in knowledge of mental health issues as well as members’ assessments of their own mental health. Since 1999, the data also shows an increasing proportion of personnel who believe that unacceptable behaviour is well managed.

Another benefit of trend data is that it helps to identify areas that may require further development, and evaluate the effects of policy and program implementation.

Satisfaction with current salaries has improved since the 2006 survey, but more work is needed in this area. The proportion of ADF personnel indicating they are adequately recognised and rewarded for their work by awards, honours and medals has increased (Navy by 11 per cent, Army by 19 per cent and Air Force by 21 per cent), but requires further attention, as does perceptions about work-life balance and individual performance appraisals.

Defence has a number of recruitment and retention initiatives underway for ADF members and is currently reforming its strategic human resources framework to attract, develop, engage, retain and transition its people. These long-term programs may take some time before they are reflected favourably in future survey findings.

Defence also offers its people a range of financial and non-financial benefits as part of their remuneration package and recognises that a ‘total rewards’ approach is required to communicate the salary, benefits, career opportunities and family support available.

This approach will enhance Defence’s position in the employment marketplace and give its people a better understanding of their total benefits package.

The survey results are used as a reference along with other information such as demographic data obtained from the four-yearly Defence Census. This assists Defence in the development of personnel policies and programs to support its military and civilian workforce.

The 2007 Defence Attitude Survey Summary of Results is available for download at:
http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dpe_site/publications/2007_Defence_Attitude_Survey_Summary_of_Results.pdf

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664