Will
you be ready to leave?
 |
|
Attend
an ADF Transition Seminar well before discharge to get an
understanding of your entitlements.
|
By
Kelly Jeffs
IN mid-1998 a review of ADF resettlement benefits found that the
Defence Resettlement Training (DRT) scheme did not meet the needs
of the modern ADF workforce and suffered from inequities in the
application of benefits.
On July 1, 2001, the Career Transition Assistance Scheme (CTAS)
replaced the DRT scheme. CTAS provides more flexible benefits
and much wider access to career transition information for all
ADF members.
CTAS is managed on a tri-service basis to ensure all ADF members
are treated equitably. It is a continually evolving policy and
Defence is constantly examining ways to improve the scheme.
On January 30 the first major policy amendments were issued. Some
of the enhancements to CTAS include:
- The
introduction of vocationally-orientated tertiary studies. Defence
identified a need to expand the Career Transition Training (CTT)
guidelines to include studies of a tertiary nature. Study is
limited to the final year of a tertiary course, or to a course
that may be completed (start to finish) within one year. Examples
of vocational courses that might be sponsored include engineering,
accountancy, law and teaching.
- Financial
counselling for members on medical discharges. Members whose
service is terminated for medical reasons may receive professional
financial counselling up to a maximum of $464, in line with
redundancy entitlements.
- Removal
of the five-year limitation for members applying for approved
absence. Members who have completed 0-12 years service at the
time of separation, and who have completed initial training
in a mustering, may apply for five days approved absence. Approved
absence is to provide members with the opportunity to attend
career transition activities, such as job interviews and on-the-job
experience.
-
Automatic preservation of CTAS entitlements. The requirement
to apply for preservation of entitlements has been abolished.
Any unused entitlements under CTAS (excluding approved absence)
are automatically preserved for a period of 12 months from separation.
Members must apply for, and complete, any career transition
activity within this 12-month period.
CTAS
is available to all Permanent and Reserve members who have rendered
full-time service. Benefits are determined by length of qualifying
service. The table at right details the CTAS benefits.
The ADF has an obligation to assist you with your career transition
and Defence is committed to continually reviewing and improving
CTAS.
Effective career transition is a shared responsibility but it
is predominantly up to you to start preparations well before your
intended separation date. In preparation for your transition,
it is strongly recommend that you:
- Attend
an ADF Transition Seminar at least three years from your anticipated
separation date, then again within your final year of service.
- Undertake
training using the Defence Assisted Study Scheme (DI(G) Pers
05-1) before submitting your application to separate.
- Discuss
your post-separation career intentions with your local Resettlement
Officer. Contact details for regional Resettlement Officers
can be found on the CTAS web sites.
- Make
sure you access your CTAS benefits as soon as you have applied
to leave the ADF.
For
more information refer to:
|
Career
Transition Assistance Level
|
Online
Information
|
ADF
Transtition Seminar
|
Approved
Absence for CT Activities
|
CT
Training
|
CT
Management Coaching
|
CV
coaching
|
Financial
counsel
|
|
1
(0-12 years)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
5
days ¹
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
2
(12-18 years)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
10
days
|
Yes
$1100
|
Yes
²
$1100
|
Yes
$227
|
No
|
|
3
(18 plus years)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
23
days
|
Yes
$4400
|
Yes
²
|
Yes
$227
|
No
|
|
3
Medical/
MIER/
Redundant
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
23
days
|
Yes
$4400
|
Yes
$2232
|
Yes
$227
|
Yes
$464
|
Note
(1) To be eligible for approved absence, a member must have
completed initial training in a mustering.
Note (2) Member may only access CTMC or CIT – not both. |
