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Preparing for Separation

 

Health

 

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1800 IMSICK

 

1800 IMSICK is a toll free after-hours nationwide telephone service available for all permanent Australian Defence Force members within Australia. The service is intended to assist ADF member's obtain health care when they become ill or injured away from the work place.

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All-hours Support Line (ASL)


The All-hours Support Line (ASL) is a confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The ASL is designed as a triage line, which simply means that it is there to help you access ADF or civilian mental health services more easily. Services that you can access include psychology, medical, social work, and chaplain services.

To access this service, call 1800 628 036 within Australia, or if calling from overseas, call  + 61 2 9425 3878

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Area Health Services

 

Your servicing Area Health Facility will play a key role in your separation from the Permanent Force.

Whether you are a Permanent Force member, ADF Gap Year member or a Reserve member completing a period of Continuous Full Time Service, you will be required to undertake a medical assessment prior to ceasing full time service.

The ADF Transition Centre will be able to advise you about the timeframe in which you need to complete this assessment.

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DVA On Base Advisory Service (OBAS)


ADF activity associated with a high number of deployments has resulted in Defence and the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) reconsidering their approaches to supporting wounded, injured or ill ADF members. As a result, Defence, in collaboration with DVA, undertook a review and have initiated a Support to Wounded, Injured or Ill Program (SWIIP) that has developed a whole of life framework for the care of wounded, injured or ill ADF members.

A key new initiative for DVA arising from SWIIP is the introduction of a national DVA on Base Advisory Service (OBAS). This service was introduced nationally from 1 October 2011. This has resulted in skilled DVA staff visiting ADF bases regularly and routinely to provide information and advice on DVA services and benefits to all ADF members, not just those medically separating. The service will be co-located with the Area Health Centres around Australia wherever possible. The OBAS service includes providing assistance to those who are wounded, injured or ill to lodge claims for compensation, preferably as close as possible to the time of injury.

As a result DVA's role in providing Transition Management Service (TMS) to those ADF members who are medically separating ceased on 30 September 2011. Defence has provided a comprehensive transition program (Transition Support Services) since 2008, which includes support for those members medically separating. Therefore, Defence will be providing transition support, and DVA will be providing compensation support through OBAS, which will remove duplication of service


The ADF Transition Centre can advise you further about the range of services provided by OBAS.

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Medicare


Once you cease being a member of the Permanent Force, you are no longer entitled to healthcare provided by Defence.

You should make an application to receive your own Medicare card so that you are provided with healthcare under the Medicare system.

Your local Medicare office can assist you.

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Veterans and Veterans' Families Counselling Service (VVCS)


Veterans and Veterans’ Families Counselling Service (VVCS) provides individual and group counselling and support programs to ADF veterans/peacekeepers and their families in friendly and confidential settings across Australia.

VVCS staff are professionally qualified psychologists or social workers with experience in working with veterans/peacekeepers and their families.

Your local ADF Transition Centre can provide you with further information about VVCS and the services they offer.

You can also access further information from www.dva.gov.au/health/vvcs

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Mental Health Support


Mental health is not solely related to diagnosable mental disorders, but encompasses a broad range of lifestyle, mental wellbeing and job performance factors.

There are a number of organisations that can assist members and their families in dealing with mental health concerns.  Within Defence, members can utilise the All-hours Support Line (ASL) which is a confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

To access this service, call 1800 628 036 within Australia, or if calling from overseas, call  + 61 2 9425 3878.

Alternatively, there are other organisations such as those listed below that can offer support and assistance. Refer to the A-Z Contact List to view contact details for the following:

 

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Health Support Groups


The following are some of the wide range of health support organisations that are available Australia wide to assist ADF members. Refer to the A-Z Contact List to view contact details for the following:

 

 

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