Defence supports reservists in balancing service with personal and professional life by providing flexible ways to contribute. Defence offers adaptable work patterns, varied locations and opportunities to take on part-time or continuous full-time duties.

Flexible work

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) Total Workforce System (TWS) allows flexibility in the way reservists serve. Reservists may be able to serve flexibly in relation to their hours of work per day, and location of work, to support their personal circumstances.

Reservists can transfer between part-time and continuous full-time service. It is also possible to transfer to the Permanent Forces if there is a capability requirement for their role.

For more information, visit the below webpages.

Role opportunities

Defence offers a wide range of diverse roles across many different disciplines all over Australia. There are roles for all skill levels, backgrounds and interests.

Reservists are able to contact their Service career management agency (information available on intranet) or access ForceNet to understand and view available roles.

ForceNet allows reservists to access authoritative information from ADF leaders, stay connected with their communities and view and apply for reserves roles.

For more information, visit the below webpages.

Protection

Reserve service is protected by law.

The employer of a reservist must release them to undertake periods of ADF service, including military training. Reservists cannot be made to take any form of paid or unpaid leave to take up their service.

Reservists cannot be discriminated against, disadvantaged, hindered, prevented or dismissed in their civilian employment for rendering ADF service, including training.

This is mandated under the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001,which also includes employment, partnership, education, financial liability and bankruptcy protection for reservists in relation to their rendering of Defence service.

For more information, visit the below webpages.

ADF reserves and employer support

ADF Reserves and Employer Support works to strengthen the relationship between reservists and their civilian employers. The aim is to help employers understand the value reservists bring and the support available to them.

The program focuses on raising awareness of:

  • the contribution reservists make while away from their civilian job
  • the skills and experience reservists bring back to their workplaces
  • opportunities for employers to see ADF training firsthand
  • recognition options for supportive employers
  • support available to employers when a reservist is away on service, including the Employer Support Payment Scheme.

For more information, visit the ADF Reserves and Employer Support webpage.