Australian Government, Department of Defence

The Directorate of Strategic Personnel Planning and Research (DSPPR) wishes to thank all ADF members who participated in the Home Ownership Human Resource Decision Support System (HRDSS) research project, which was instrumental in developing the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS).

Many personnel contributed the time and effort to attend focus groups and complete surveys. DSPPR also appreciates the support from the Service Personnel agencies and ADF units. These contributions were crucial in obtaining successful outcomes for the research, and ensuring valuable inputs into policy development.

DSPPR conducted the HRDSS project in 2006 to measure the effect of different home ownership policies on the service intentions of ADF personnel.

On May 8, the Treasurer announced the DHOAS as part of the 2007-08 budget.

The Home Ownership HRDSS project results were used by policy-makers in the Personnel Executive to inform the development of the DHOAS, which comes into effect from July 1, 2008. The DHOAS will provide ADF members with home ownership assistance reflective of the contemporary housing and home finance markets, with flexibility to maintain relativity with both markets.

DSPPR supports Defence by conducting wide-ranging research into personnel issues affecting ADF and APS personnel. DSPPR research includes the Defence Attitude Survey, the Defence Census, the ADF Exit Survey and Occupational Analysis projects. All DSPPR research is available for use by Defence Senior Leadership, and throughout the Department, to inform policy and decision-making.

Defence personnel may obtain a copy of the HRDSS Home Ownership report from the DSPPR intranet site at http://aurora.cbr.defence.gov.au/DSPPR/Sections/spp/2007%20files/hrdss.htm

For more information on the DHOAS, visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/pac or www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac

BRIG John Cox
Director-General Workforce Planning
Canberra