A RECENT decision by the DFRT will see soldiers involved in High Altitude Parachute Operations (HAPO) receive an allowance to recognise the hazardous nature of the activity.

The tribunal reserved their judgement on the HAPO allowance pending further submissions when they handed down their decision on Paratrooper Allowance earlier this year.

Case Officer Leut-Cmdr Ian Davies said HAPO was very different to other sorts of jumping and there were certain disabilities associated with it.

"Going on oxygen and jumping out of an aeroplane at 25,000 feet either on a static line or free-falling to 5000 feet before pulling the chute places a lot of stress on the individual," he said.

The determination is that a paratrooper who completes a HAPO descent will receive an allowance of $220 for each jump.

A paratrooper who does not complete a HAPO descent but is required to use supplementary oxygen in the course of the HAPO or is responsible for the management of the oxygen distribution console will receive $110.

As with other salary-related allowances, these amounts are taxable.

"At the moment the HAPO allowance only covers those people that are undertaking a HAPO jump that are not in receipt of Special Action Forces Allowance."

"We are about to start a review of Special Action Forces Allowance and the applicability of HAPO jumps to SASR will be at the forefront of our agenda."

By Cpl Jonathan Garland