Operation PALADIN - Conditions of Service

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

2. References • PACMAN Version 2 OCS Vol Chap 17 • DSC Service Conditions message DTG 080003Z DEC 10 • HQJOC message 4206/SO2 PERSOPS DTG 150409Z SEP 08 – Leave outside the AO and DA

3. Nature of Service Declaration • A Nature of Service (NOS) declaration by the Minister for Defence, in consultation with the Prime Minister, authorises a Conditions of Service (COS) package for each deployment. • Op PALADIN has been declared non-warlike service WEF 21 Apr 03. • The COS package was re-released on 8 Dec 10 by DSC.

4. Non-warlike Service - Definition • Military activities short of warlike operations where there is a risk associated with the assigned task(s) and where the application of force is limited to self defence. • Casualties could occur but are not expected. • Types (not limited to): • Hazardous - mine avoidance/clearance, weapons inspections, service protected evacuations - minimum force; and • Peacekeeping - military personnel without powers of enforcement to help restore peace in an area of former conflict with the consent of all parties.

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 Op PALADIN, and • be within the specified area • Eligibility for some COS depend on the expected length of deployment and operational requirements.

7. OPERATION PALADIN The specified area comprises the total land area, territorial waters and superjacent airspace within the internationally recognised boundaries of Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. ADF contribution to the Untied Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) and United Nations Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories (UNSCO)

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 a number of 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-deployment leave entitlement. • Some provision exists for special cases; apply via relevant service DGPERS area. • Deployments of six months or more - pre-deployment leave: • 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 then this is to be used. • 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: • Note - 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 • Deployment Allowance: • SYRIA - $114.53 pd, and • All other areas $80.51 pd. • Tax exempt • payable inside the specified area • payable for ADF Rec leave 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 the AO, duty outside the specified area, escorting AME, RTA injured, conference/BOI etc • Recognition of operational and environmental hazards • Threat assessment sets basis for rate

15. Allowances • The rate of DA is arrived at by combining rates associated with Operational and Environmental threats as assessed by DIO • Operational assessments take into consideration; • political and military situation • activities and aims of military forces • military hazards • incidence of violent crime • the nature of the deployment • command arrangements

16. Allowances • Environmental assessments give consideration to; • health, including quality & availability of health services; • topography and climate • extent and quality of civil infrastructure • extent of insect, plant and animal hazards • risk of road accidents & traffic conditions • language and social conditions • nature of deployment

17. Allowances • Other allowances where applicable: • Separation Allowance • Special Action Forces Allowance • Flying 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. • District Allowance • MWD members DO NOT have this allowance ceased if the family remain at 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.

18. Allowances • Mission Subsistence Allowance (MSA) 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.

19. Leave • ARL for non-warlike service - up to 10 days pa; and • ARL for Field service if entitled (granted IAW PACMAN). • Be aware prior Field Leave accrued for current leave year will count for the max Field Leave that can be credited – 10 days pa. • ERL is not granted for non-warlike deployments NB: IAW with HQJOC direction members leaving the AO must take ADF leave. Any other form of leave inc. UN/CTO leave is only to be taken in theatre and accounted for as short leave on PMKeys.

20. Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance (ROCTFA): • The purpose of relief out-of-country travel fare assistance is to help the member have time away from the difficulties of a deployment. 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 is intended to assist personnel to have time away from the arduous conditions of the deployment

21. ROCTFA • ROCTFA entitlement is based on length of deployment as follows:- • Less than 6 months = NIL entitlement NB: HQJOC may grant 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

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

23. ROCTFA • For deployment for 12 months or more: • Members may apply to offset the combine value of two trips to Australia that they are entitled to, to assist the member and their dependants to reunite in Australia. • Alternatively the member, either MWD or MWOD, may use the value of the two trips to travel to another country.

24. ROCTFA • For members who do not wish to RTA or who are entitled but do not avail themselves of the previous option to combine two trips, 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. • Travel Class - economy class on the cheapest available airline that offers a reasonable standard of safety and security. NB: TA is not payable while on ROCTFA.

25. Taxation • Non-warlike service • Section 23AG ITAA (qualifying period of 91 continuous days): • ADF pers may be eligible for exemption from Australian income tax under Section 23AG of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936. • Note: Taxation advice regarding a member’s personal circumstances is not provided by Defence. It is the responsibility of the individual to seek advice as necessary regarding the application of Section 23AG (or other provisions) to their personal circumstances and/or the ATO regarding a private ruling. Note: s23AG does not apply in every country. OR • s79B ITAA - Overseas Defence Forces Rebate: • applies where s23AG is not applicable (periods of less than 91 days) • $338 per year on a pro rata basis • plus 50% of any other applicable rebate, ie. Spouse

26. 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.

27. Other Information • Medals • ASM – clasp ‘Middle East’ – 30 day aggregate qualifying period • Telephone calls & mail service: • NOT a COS, however, members MAY BE provided the opportunity to telephone Australia:

28. EXCHANGE PERSONNEL • Personnel from other forces on exchange with the ADF and deployed on Operation PALADIN: • have NIL entitlement to ADF deployment packages • are provided conditions of service from their parent country

29. Where can I find the conditions of service for Op PALADIN? • 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

30. Any Questions?