Waking up from the removals nightmare

So you’ve had your posting order and relocation pack for a month or two.

Still lying around at work, is it? Been too busy? Not keen on your posting location and your partner even less? Well, it’s time to act. The peak posting season is rapidly approaching and if you are to have a stress-free relocation and enjoy your annual leave then there are a few things you need to attend to.

Everyone acknowledges that DHA performed below expectation last year and they have made a number of improvements to the relocation system this year including:

• the introduction of regional case managers,
• improvements to the relocations computer system,
• a greater capacity telephone system.

So who does what?

When you receive your posting order so does DHA. Within 21 days a relocation pack will be sent to you at your unit address if your posting involves a move. You’ll also be contacted by your local DHA Housing Management Centre (HMC) to make sure you’ve received your pack.

Your pack will contain an application for removal (AFR), entitlements and allowances booklet and a Toll Transitions Easy Move kit. Read everything and fill in the AFR and inventory, then send it all to your local HMC. Do not delay in submitting your AFR and inventory. Don’t forget items you may have in store and want at your new location.

Unit commanders can assist this process in a number of ways:

• early advice to your soldiers as to when they can be released to start their removals,
• making computers available so that soldiers can access online assistance including, the Homefind service, and
• contacting your local HMC to provide a relocations presentation to unit members and spouses.

DHA will assign you a case manager once your AFR is received. Your case manager is your single point of contact for all matters concerning your relocation.

• receipt of your AFR, assigning a case manager at your old and new location.
• If you are eligible for a service residence, providing you access to Homefind, an online service where you can look for accommodation in your new location. The HMC will also assist in locating live-in accommodation and private rentals for RA.
• Arranging a face-to-face consultation about your move.
• Conducting a pre-vacation inspection of your current service residence and advising of any maintenance or potential tenant charges.
• Approving your inventory and sending it to Toll Transitions.
• Providing

DHA is responsible for:

• On rea movement plan to confirm your travel, temporary accommodation, removal and allowances.

Note your entitlements on relocation are determined by Defence and not DHA.

Toll Transitions is responsible for:

• Providing you with their easymove home kit.
• Confirm receipt of your AFR and inventory.
• Contacting you to confirm carton kit requirements. From August 1 2002 new carton kits have been developed to better meet your requirements.
• Selecting your removalist and advising you of their details. You should contact the removalist to arrange a pre-removal survey.
• Confirming your pre-pack, uplift and delivery dates.

What’s new this year?

• Revised carton kits.
• Door to door vehicle removals except for some remote locations.
• Valet unpack service which you can arrange with Toll Transitions at your expense (free to families who are registered with the Defence Special Needs Support Group).

Two days hire of a rental car in Darwin for those having their vehicle transported to Darwin. Defence meets the cost of the rental and you pay for fuel.

The spring edition of Defence Family Matters, is a special relocation edition with all of the above information and more, handy hints, contact phone numbers and web sites for DHA and Toll.

The spring edition of Defence Housing from DHA also has information on relocations and housing.

For further queries, contact DHA’s customer service line on 1800 249 711.

• Next edition, uplift and delivery.

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