Operation HEDGEROW Conditions of Service

1. Operation HEDGEROWConditions of Service People Policy and Employment Conditions Branch

2. References • PACMAN Version 2 OCS Vol Chap 17 • DSC COS message dated 4 Sep 09 • DSC DA message dated 17 Sep 09 • 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 HEDGEROW has been declared Non-warlike service WEF 28 Jul 08.

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 • NOS Branch reviews the NOS: • when there is a change: • in circumstance; or • the task, or role of deployed force; • or at a minimum of every 12-18 months. • Threat assessments conducted by DIO are reviewed every 12 months or when circumstances change. • Directorate of Service Conditions reviews COS in line with the above.

6. ELIGIBILITY To be eligible for the COS package, members must be: • assigned for duty with Operation HEDGEROW • be within the specified area

7. OPERATION HEDGEROW The specified area comprises Sudan. ADF contribution to the Hybrid United Nations and African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)

8. Conditions of Servicebefore deployment • For deployments of six months or more, a range of removal entitlement options exist: • Refer to COS signal, and • Consult with DHA

9. Check Insurance • It remains the members responsibility to ensure continued insurance coverage for home and content during any period of absence.

10. Conditions of Servicebefore deployment • Deployments of less than six months do not normally attract a pre-embarkation Leave entitlement. • Some provision exist for special cases; apply via relevant service DGPERS area. • Deployments of six months or more - Pre-embarkation 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.

11. Conditions of Servicebefore deployment • 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 13 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

12. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • Deployment Allowance (WEF 11 Nov 10): • $115.10 pd in Darfur region • $115.10 pd elsewhere in Sudan • Tax exempt • payable inside the specified area • payable for ADF 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 Sudan, duty outside the specified area (ie. Nairobi), escorting AME, RTA injured, conference/BOI etc • Recognition of operational and environmental hazards • Threat assessment sets basis for rate

13. Threat Assessment considerations:Operational Factors • political and military situation • activities and aims of military forces • military hazards • incidence of violent crime • the nature of the deployment • command arrangements

14. Threat Assessment considerations: Environmental Factors • health, including quality & availability of health services; • topography and climate • extent and quality of civil infrastructure • extent insect, plant and animal hazards • risk of road accidents & traffic conditions • language and social conditions • nature of deployment

15. Threat Assessment • initial assessment completed on commencement of operation • routine review at minimum six month intervals • Threat levels can/do move up and down.

16. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • Other allowances where applicable: • Separation 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.

17. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • Members who are required to purchase their own meals and who are not in receipt of Mission Subsistence Allowance (MSA) may qualify to receive Travelling Costs (including incidentals). • MSA may be paid by the UN: • covers costs of accn, food and misc expenses • no entitlement to O/S TC for same costs • if MSA does not cover actual costs, ‘top up’ TC may become payable. Chap 13 of PACMAN refers.

18. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • District Allowance • MWD pers DO NOT have this allowance ceased if the family remain at posting location. • MWOD pers 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.

19. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • 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.

20. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance (ROCTFA): • 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. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • ROCTFA entitlement is based on length of deployment as follows:- • Less than 6 months = NIL entitlement • 6 months but less than 9 months = 1 ROCTFA • 9 months but less than 12 months = 2 ROCTFA

22. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • ROCTFA designated destination for Op HEDGEROW: • for MWD who wish to RTA the destination is limited to the previous posting locality or alt the location where family has been moved at public expense. • For MWOD who wish to RTA the destination is limited to the previous posting locality or alt the reported locality of NOK for rec leave free travel purposes. • there is no offset for the RTA provision.

23. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • ROCTFA - continued • For members who do not wish to RTA the ROCTFA destination is London. • Members may offset the cost of return travel to London against the cost of travel to an alt destination. • The alt destination must be suitable as a ROCTFA destination as determined by the COMASC. • class of travel is economy airfare. • TA is not payable while on leave.

24. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • Additional leave accrual: • ARL for Non-warlike Service - up to 10 days pa (pro rata). • ARL for Field, Seagoing or Flying service if entitled (granted IAW PACMAN): • 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 or non-warlike deployments • 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. • Medals • ASM – with 30 day aggregate qualifying period

25. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • 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.

26. Conditions of Serviceduring deployment • Taxation: • Section 23AG ITAA Exemption from Australian taxation (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. 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

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

28. Where can I find the Conditions of Service for Operation HEDGEROW? • 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 Deployments

29. Any Questions?