Operation ANODE Conditions of Service

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

2. References • PACMAN Version 2 OCS Vol Chap 17 • DSC COS for ADF message DTG 260531Z Nov 10 • DSC COS for APS Employees message DTG 292151Z NOV 10 • 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 a Nature of Service (NOS) for operations. The relevant Conditions of Service (COS) package for an operation is then authorised by the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel. • Op ANODE has been declared non-warlike service WEF 24 Jul 03.

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 12 months or when circumstances change. • NOS is reviewed when there is a change: • in circumstance; • the task, or role of deployed force; • or at a minimum of every 12 months. • 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 ANODE, and • be within the specified area. • Eligibility for some COS depend on the expected length of deployment and operational requirements.

7. OPERATION ANODE The specified area comprises the total land areas, territorial waters and superjacent airspace boundaries of the Solomon Islands. ADF contribution to the Government of Australian's Strengthened Assistance Framework in support of the Solomon Islands Government.

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 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 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 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 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.

14. Allowances Deployment Allowance (DA) currently paid at $54.96 pd (WEF 10 Nov 11) • Tax exempt • payable when 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. Working 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 ( Cont’d) • The rate of DA is arrived at by combining rates associated with Operational and Environmental threats as assessed by DIO • Threat Assessments • initial assessment completed on commencement of operation • routine review at minimum six month intervals • Threat levels can/do move up and down • COS are reviewed when the threat assessment changes.

16. Allowances ( Cont’d) • 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 • 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 ( Cont’d) • Other allowances where applicable: • Separation Allowance • Hard lying Allowance (on the ship) • 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.

18. Allowances ( Cont’d) 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.

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 LY will count for the max Field Leave that can be credited – 10 days pa. • ERL is not granted for non-warlike deployments.

20. Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance (ROCTFA): The purpose of ROCTFA 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 • TA is not payable while on ROCTFA

21. ROCTFA • ROCTFA designated destination for OP ANODE: • 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. • These provisions can not be off set for other locations.

22. Other Information • 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 an 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

23. Other Information • Meals and Accommodation provided at Commonwealth expense in specified area; or • If meals are not provided – TA (including incidentals) can be paid • 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 (Cont’d) • 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. • Medals • ASM – clasp ‘Solomon Islands’ 30 day aggregate qualifying period

25. Defence APS Employees Allowances • Operational Support Allowance sum of: • Hardship rate: • $50.34 pd for Solomon Islands • Arduous Duties rate: • $100.65 pd for weekdays • $204.97 pd for weekends and public holidays • Refer to Defgram 5/2006 for payment of allowance details

26. Defence APS Employees Leave and Travel • APS employees receive additional annual leave for duty in operational areas. • Accrues at 1 day for every 10 days of service to a maximum of 10 days. Refer to PACMAN 17.10.9 for detailed information. • Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance (ROCTFA). • APS employees may be entitle to ROCTFA in accordance with PACMAN. Refer to Slide 18 or PACMAN Part 9 Div 6

27. Defence APS Employees Taxation • Tax liabilities for the duration of operational support remains an individuals responsibility. • Dependent on the nature of the operation being supported, an individuals status and location, persons may or may not be eligible for tax relief after spending 91 days or more in the area of operational support. • The Medicare levy remains payable. • The Australian Taxation Office should be consulted for further advice.

28. Defence APS Employees Taxation (cont’d) • Before electing to cease income tax withholding, persons are strongly encouraged to seek independent financial and/or taxation advice. • If income tax withholdings are ceased for the period of operational support but persons do not render 91 days continuous foreign service or, due to personal status or particular location are excluded from tax relief, individuals will incur a significant tax liability at the end of the financial year. Note: 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.

29. 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 operational area and reimbursements capped at $1932.

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

31. Where can I find the Conditions of Service for Operation ANODE? • 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

32. Any Questions?