Operation RIVERBANK - Conditions of Service

1. Operation RIVERBANK - Conditions of Service People Policy and Employment Conditions Branch

2. References • PACMAN Version 2 Chapter 17 • DSC COS message dated 262328Z APR 11 • HQJOC message 4206/SO2 PERSOPS DTG 150409Z SEP 08 – Leave outside the AO and DA

3. Nature of Service Declaration • The Minister for Defence, in consultation with the Prime Minister, declares the Nature of Service (NOS) for operations. The relevant Conditions of Service (COS) package for a deployment is then authorised by the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel • Op RIVERBANK has been declared Warlike service WEF 21 Jul 08.

4. Warlike Service - Definition • The application of force is authorised to pursue specific military objectives and there is an expectation of casualties. • Types: • Declared war; • Conventional combat operations against an armed adversary; and • Peace enforcement IAW Chap VII of UN Charter.

5. Reviews • DIO review threat assessments every twelve months or when circumstances change. • NOS is reviewed when there is a change: • in circumstance; • in the task or role of deployed force; • or at a minimum of every 12 months. • These reviews may result in new NOS declaration by the Minister for Defence. • COS are reviewed when there is a change in threat assessment or NOS.

6. ELIGIBILITY • To be eligible for the COS package, members must be: • assigned for duty with Operation RIVERBANK, and • be within the Op RIVERBANK specified area. NB: Service outside the specified area (Iraq) attracts peacetime cos; ie TA if meals are not provided. • Eligibility for some COS depend on the expected length of deployment and operational requirements.

7. OPERATION RIVERBANK The specified area comprises Iraq ADF contribution to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq

8. Housing and Removals • Housing and removal benefits depend on; • the expected length of your deployment; • the location of your dependants during your deployment, • your categorisation, • posting location on RTA; and • time remaining in losing posting location. • For deployments of less than six months; • There are no removal benefits. • housing benefits; • Remain the same MWD and MWD(U) • Remain the same in the posting location for MWOD with the member not required to make a contribution

9. Housing and Removals • For deployment of more than 6 months a range of assistance is provided to help members manage their absence. • Members living in and Members living out; • May choose to remain in their accommodation or access removal and storage entitlements. • should engage early with the decision maker to ensure they are fully aware of the benefits and options available to them upon deployment.

10. Housing and Removals • MWD • dependants may remain in posting location; or • dependants may be moved to a personal location for family support where there is a compelling need. There are several levels housing and removal options if approved to relocate your dependants for family support. The level of benefit available to the member depends on • the compelling need, • members posting location on return; and • length of time in posting location on return. • Members should engage early with the decision maker to ensure they are fully aware of the benefits available in their circumstances.

11. Housing and Removals • For full list of criteria refer to • PACMAN Ch 17; and • Consult the COS signal, and • Consult with Toll Transitions • Check Insurance! It remains the members responsibility to ensure continued insurance coverage for home and content during any period of absence.

12. Pre-deployment Leave and Travel • Deployments of less than six months do not normally attract a Pre-embarkation Leave benefits. • Some provision exist for special cases; apply via relevant service DGPERS area. • Deployments of six months or more : • approval depends on operational requirements; • up to 7 days (inclusive of weekends and public holidays); • Free Travel: • If entitled – free travel within Australia may be granted to home location • If BRL free travel entitlement exists - this is to be used in lieu, • Alt, family members may be conveyed at public expense to members home location. Costs not to exceed that which would have been expended for the member to travel.

13. Before Deploying Members should: • Check with Centrelink regarding: • Family Tax Benefits NB- A New tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 was amended effective 1 July 2007 to provide portability of Family Tax Benefit Part B beyond 6 weeks while overseas on deployment. • any other benefits that you may be eligible for depending on your family composition and income • Check with Child Support Agency regarding child support payments

14. Allowances • International Campaign Allowance (ICA) $150 pd inside Iraq • payable inside the specified area • payable for ADF Rec leave or WSL accrued in the specified area • subject to change at any time – up or down (based on changes to military and environmental conditions) • NOT payable at any other time; ie. UN leave/CTO outside AO, duty outside the specified area (ie. Kuwait), escorting AME, RTA injured, conference/BOI etc • Recognition of operational and environmental hazards • Based on threat assessment • ICA is paid for all Recreation leave and WSL accrued inside the specified area.

15. Allowances • Other allowances where applicable: • Separation Allowance • Special Forces Disability Allowance • Flying Allowance • Hard lying Allowance • Field Allowance applications are to be submitted to CJOPs for approval IAW the requirements of PACMAN, providing the stipulated threshold criterion of 'living in the field' has been met.

16. Allowances • District Allowance • MWD members DO NOT have this allowance ceased if the family remain at the remote posting location. • MWOD members DO have this allowance ceased: • after 30 days if returning to remote location after deployment, or • on date of deployment if posted out of remote location and not returning after deployment. • Mission Subsistence Allowance (MSA) may be paid by the UN: • covers costs of accommodation, food and misc expenses • no entitlement to O/S TA for same costs • if MSA does not cover actual costs, ‘top up’ TA may become payable. Chap 13 of PACMAN refers.

17. Leave • War Service Leave of 18 days pa accrued on a daily basis. No qualifying period and only accrued inside specified area. • ARL – combination of Field, Seagoing or Flying granted IAW PACMAN if entitled. • Be aware prior Field Leave accrued for current LY will count for the max Field Leave that can be credited – 10 days pa. • ERL is not granted for warlike deployments NB: CDF has directed no leave can be taken inside a warlike AO. IAW with HQJOC direction members leaving the AO other than for duty must take ADF leave.

18. Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance (ROCTFA): ROCTFA is; • subject to operational constraints and provided the member’s leave plan includes being outside of the specified area for at least seven (7) consecutive days • to be taken as near as possible to midway point of deployment • travel on cheapest available airline offering a reasonable standard of safety and security • travel intended to assist personnel to have time away from the arduous conditions of the deployment

19. ROCTFA • ROCTFA entitlement is based on length of deployment as follows: • Less than 6 months = NIL entitlement NB: HQJOC may authorise 1 ROCTFA in exceptional circumstances. • 6 months but less than 9 months = 1 ROCTFA • 9 months but less than 12 months = 2 ROCTFA • 12 months but less than 15 months = 3 ROCTFA

20. ROCTFA • ROCTFA designated destination for Op RIVERBANK: • to the previous posting loc, or • alt the location to which the family has been moved at public expense for the period of deployment, or • alt to the nominated family members normal residential loc within Australia, or • alt to the defence recognised dependant normal residential loc within Australia. • there is no offset for the RTA provision.

21. ROCTFA • For members who do not wish to RTA the ROCTFA destination is Rome. • Members may offset the cost of return travel to Rome against the cost of travel to an alt destination. • The alt destination must be suitable as a ROCTFA destination as determined by the CO. • class of travel is economy airfare and must be on cheapest available airline offering a reasonable standard of safety and security • TA is not payable while on ROCTFA.

22. Taxation • Members who deploy on warlike service are not required to pay tax on salary and allowances associated with their deployment. • Warlike service • Section 23AD ITAA: • Exemption from tax on ADF salary and allowances earned as a result of service inside the specified area (Iraq) may apply. • Taxation exemption continues on RTA for all leave accrued while deployed. ITAA = the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936

23. Other Information • Compensation: • covered under the provisions of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 for death, injury or illness. • covered 24 hr a day • Hotline No 1300 550 461 • E-mail - mrcs@dva.gov.au • It is essential to keep records and report all incidents. Ensure all paperwork is completed. • Telephone calls & mail service: • NOT a COS, however, members MAY BE provided the opportunity to telephone Australia: • The frequency and duration of these calls will be set by HQJOC.

24. Other Information Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme • qualifying period remains unaffected by warlike service • possibility of up to an additional 5 years subsidy • only periods Within Specified Area count as warlike service for the purpose of this scheme Medals - AASM

25. Where can I find the Conditions of Service for Operation RIVERBANK? • CoS messages for all operations are published on the DEFWEB and Internet at: • http://intranet.defence.gov.au/pac/ • http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/ • drill down: • Pay and Conditions – Home Page • Overseas Operations

26. Any Questions?