By WO2 Mick Rainsford
The Defence Community Organisation (DCO) is committed to supporting Defence families, members and commanders.

Numerous support policies are in place to assist Defence families in a time of crisis. These policies are a critical tool in a time of crisis and they provide a significant contribution to the overall capability of the ADF.

One of the support policies that members may not be aware of is the Australians Dangerously Ill Scheme (AUSDIL Scheme).

The AUSDIL Scheme provides both administrative and financial assistance to enable the Primary Emergency Contact or nominated person to visit a member of the Defence Force who is hospitalised through serious injury or illness.

An approved AUSDIL application provides a return economy airfare to and from the location of the hospital and reasonable and economical accommodation close to the hospital at Commonwealth expense. Meals and a daily long distance phone call may also be included.

Commanding officers are responsible for notifiable casualties and they can request approval for a visit to be made with advice from a medical authority that the visit will substantially benefit the member. AUSDIL requests may be made in the text of a NOTICAS message or by signal. The approving authority is the Director of Military Support in DCO Headquarters.

The benefits of such a scheme assist the immediate family in a time of crisis and their presence at the hospital can quite often have a beneficial effect on the member's medical or psychological wellbeing. Welfare officers are encouraged to note the existence of the provisions in DI(G) PERS 11-1 and apply for the benefit when unit members are seriously ill or injured.

• For further information on the AUSDIL Scheme contact the Defence Community Organisation Headquarters, Maj Lindsay Bancroft on (02) 6266 8428, fax (02) 6266 8411, e-mail lindsay.bancroft@defence.gov.au

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