Better Reserve pay

CHANGES to the Employer Support Payment (ESP) Scheme for Air Force Reservists are expected to lead to improved governance standards for the scheme.

These changes follow a series of reviews of the system by the Australian National Audit Office. These have recommended centralisation of the ESP approval process within each Service.

DGRES-AF has supported recommendations from OC Combat Reserve Wing that payments to self-employed Reservists be delegated to the Staff Officer Financial Governance (SOFG), Combat Reserve Wing.

Reserve Squadron COs will retain their ESP delegation to approve employer payments, which are more straightforward.

These changes will provide additional guidance and oversight of the more complex self employed Reservists payment claims. The changes also recognise and refine the delegations and roles of Reserve Squadron COs in providing ongoing advice to their personnel.

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