Transcript Document

Operation OKRA
Conditions of Service
People Policy and Employment Conditions Branch
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
References
• PACMAN Version 2 Chapter 17
• DMCHP ADF COS signal DTG 300203Z OCT 14
• DMCHP APS COS signal DTG 300352Z OCT 14
• Defence Determination 2014/53 Dated 23 Oct 14
• DMCHP Restructure of Deployment Allowance
message dated 022321Z OCT 14
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
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 Assistant Minister for
Defence.
• Op OKRA - has been declared non-warlike service for the
period 1 Jul – 8 Aug 14 across the whole of the specified area
and warlike service in Zone A and non-warlike in Zone B from
9 Aug 14 onwards.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Specified Areas
From 1 Jul to 8 Aug 14 – non-warlike:
– Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE and the
Persian Gulf.
From 9 Aug 14 onwards:
– Zone A – warlike – Iraq
– Zone B – non-warlike:
• Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, the Persian
Gulf, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary,
Montenegro, Poland and Romania.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
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.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
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.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
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.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Eligibility
•
To be eligible for the COS package, members must be:
– assigned for duty with Operation OKRA, and
– be within the Op OKRA specified area.
• Eligibility for some COS depend on the expected length
of deployment and operational requirements.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
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
– 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
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
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.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Housing and Removals
• MWD
– normally there must be a remaining deployment tenure of six
months at time removal is affected
– 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
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.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Housing and Removals
• For full list of criteria refer to
– PACMAN Ch 17
– COS signal
– Toll Transitions
• Check Insurance! It remains the members responsibility to
ensure continued insurance coverage for home and content
during any period of absence.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Pre-deployment Leave and Travel
• Deployments of less than six months do not normally attract
a Pre-deployment Leave benefit:
– Some provision exist for special cases; apply via relevant
service DGPERS
• 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.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Before Deployment
Members should:
• Check with Centrelink regarding:
– Family Tax Benefits:
• Note - 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
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Allowances
• Deployment Allowance (DA)
– Zone A - $150 per day
– Zone B - $81.72 per day
• DA is:
– Payable from the date of first arrival inside the
specified area
– Ceases the day after you leave the specified area
for the last time (RTA at the end of your
deployment)
– Payable during temp absences related to
operational service ie. Leave, med escort.
– NOT payable for temp absence not related to
operation service – ie. Compassionate leave
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Allowances
•
DA is paid:
– In recognition of operational and environmental hazards and
stress likely to be experienced of the whole of the
deployment period
– Based on threat assessment
– Can change (up or down) at anytime, even during your
deployment
•
DA is not paid:
– For leave accrued on RTA
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Allowances
• Other allowances where applicable:
– Separation
– Special Forces Disability
– Flying
– Maritime
• Field Allowance applications are to be submitted to
DGSPT at HQJOC for approval IAW the
requirements of PACMAN, providing the stipulated
threshold criterion of 'living in the field' has been
met.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Allowances
• 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.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Leave
• War Service Leave - 18 days pro-rata pa accrued on a
daily basis. No qualifying period and only accrued
inside specified area.
• Non-warlike service ARL – 10 days pro-rata pa
accrued on a daily basis. No qualifying period and
only accrued inside the specified area.
• ARL – combination of Field, Maritime or Flying
granted IAW PACMAN, if eligible:
• ERL is not granted for deployments
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance
• 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
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
ROCTFA
•
ROCTFA entitlement is based on duration of deployment:
– Less than 6 months = NIL
NB: HQJOC may approve 1 ROCTFA in exceptional circumstances see
PACMAN 17.9.38.1.a
– 6 months but less than 9 months = 1
– 9 months but less than 12 months = 2
•
ROCTFA RTA designated destination for OP OKRA:
– 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
(MWOD), or
– to the Defence recognised dependant normal residential loc within
Australia (MWD(U)).
•
there is no offset for the RTA provision.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
ROCTFA
• ROCTFA - continued
– For members who do not wish to RTA the ROCTFA
destination is Rome.
• Members may offset the cost of return travel to from Dubai
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 – economy class (all ranks) using the best
fare of the day that offers a reasonable standard of safety
and security
NB: TA is not payable while on ROCTFA.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Taxation
• Members who deploy on warlike operations are not
required to pay income tax on salary and allowances
associated with their deployment.
– Section 23AD ITAA:
• all ADF salary and allowances earned inside Zone A are
exempt from taxation
• Taxation exemption continues on RTA for all unused
leave accrued while deployed.
ITAA = the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Taxation
Service in the UAE, Jordan, Cyprus, Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Estonia and Montenegro:
–
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
Service where section 23AG does not apply in Zone B:
–
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 concessional rebate
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Other Information
• Meals and Accommodation provided at Commonwealth
expense in specified area; or
– If meals are not provided – O/S TA (including incidentals)
can be paid
• Telephone calls & mail service:
– NOT a COS, however, members maybe provided the
opportunity to telephone Australia:
• The frequency and duration of these calls will be set by
HQJOC.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
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 - [email protected]
• It is essential to keep records and report all incidents.
Ensure all paperwork is completed.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Other Information
• Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme –
Warlike service
– 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
– TBA
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Defence APS Employees
Allowances
• Operational Support Allowance (if assigned to
undertake operational support duties):
– $150 per day – service in Iraq
– 81.72 per day - all other countries/locations
– Refer to DEFGRAM 211/2013 for payment of
allowance details
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Defence APS Employees
Leave and Travel
• APS employees additional annual leave for duty in
operational areas.
– Additional 10 days annual leave for duty in an AO, pro rata
pa, and
– 1 day additional annual leave for every 10 days of service
paid OSA; to a maximum of 10 days pa.
• Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance (ROCTFA).
– APS employees are eligible to ROCTFA in accordance with
PACMAN Part 9 Div 6
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Defence APS Employees
Taxation
• Taxation advice regarding an employee's personal
circumstances is not provided by Defence. It is the
responsibility of the individual employee 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: Section 23AG does not apply in Bahrain,
Kuwait, Qatar, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland,
Romania or the maritime area nor to pers who have
Diplomatic Accreditation.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Defence APS Employees
Other Information
• Clothing and equipment
– Block scale of issue now available. See Q Store.
• Compensation
– Covered under the provisions of the Safety Rehabilitation and
Compensation Act for death, injury or illness; except while on
leave outside the AO.
• Life Insurance
– Reimbursement of life insurance premiums for policies taken out
by Defence APS employees for the duration of their operational
support duty in an overseas Area of Operations.
- Limited to policies providing coverage within a war zone and
reimbursement capped at $2,244.
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Foreign Third Country Deployments
• Personnel from other nations/forces on
exchange with the ADF and deployed on
Operation OKRA:
– have no eligibility to ADF deployment package
– are provided conditions of service from their
parent country (other than TA)
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Where can I find more information?
• CoS messages for all operations are
published on the DPG web page
• Questions are to be directed through your
chain of Command in the first instance
Correct as at 1 Jan 15
Any Questions?
Correct as at 1 Jan 15