Correct as at 22 Apr 15

Operation MAZURKA - Conditions of ServiceOperation MAZURKA - Conditions of Service

People Policy and Employment Conditions Branch

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

References

• PACMAN Version 2 OCS Vol Chap 17

• DSC Conditions of Service message PERS 52/10 DTG 062300Z DEC 10

• HQJOC message 4206/SO2 PERSOPS DTG 150409Z SEP 08 – Leave outside the AO and DA

• DMCHP Restructure of Deployment Allowance message dated 022321Z OCT 14

• DMCHP message – Review of DA dated 100406Z APR 15

Correct as at 22 Apr 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 Minister for Defence Science and Personnel

• Op MAZURKA has been declared non-warlike service WEF 20 Oct 92.

• The COS package was re-released on 7 Dec 10 by DSC.

Correct as at 22 Apr 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 22 Apr 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 22 Apr 15

Eligibility

• To be eligible for the COS package, members must be:

– assigned for duty with Op MAZURKA, and– be within the specified area

• Eligibility for some COS depend on the expected length of deployment and operational requirements.

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

The specified area comprises Egypt between the east bank of the Suez Canal and the international boundary between Egypt and Israel signed in Washington on 26 March 1979, and an adjoining area extending five kilometres into Israel.

Operation Mazurka

Multi National Force and Observers

Correct as at 22 Apr 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; 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

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

• 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.

Housing and Removals

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

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.

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

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.

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

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:– 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 22 Apr 15

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.

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

Allowances

• Deployment Allowance (DA)– $127.45 pd

• 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 22 Apr 15

Allowances

• DA is paid:

– In recognition of operational and environmental hazards and stress likely to be experienced over 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 22 Apr 15

Allowances

• Operational factors considered are:

– political and military situation– activities and aims of military forces– military hazards– incidence of violent crime– the nature of the deployment– command arrangements

Allowances

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

Allowances

• Environmental factors considered are:

– 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

Allowances

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

Allowances• Other allowances where applicable:

– Separation Allowance– Special Forces Disability Allowance– Flying Allowance– Hard lying Allowance– Field Allowance

NB. 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.

Allowances

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

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

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.

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance (ROCTFA):

• The purpose of ROCTFA is to assist personnel to have time away from the arduous conditions of the 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 22 Apr 15

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

• Special provisions apply for deployments of 12 months or more. See PACMAN 17.9.38

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

ROCTFA

• ROCTFA designated destination for Op MAZURKA:

– 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.

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

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.

• Travel by economy class on the cheapest available airline that offers a reasonable standard of safety and security.

NB: TA is not payable while on ROCTFA.

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

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

Taxation

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

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.

Correct as at 22 Apr 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 - mrcs@dva.gov.au

• It is essential to keep records and report all incidents. Ensure all paperwork is completed.

• Medals

– ASM – clasp ‘Sinai’ – 30 day aggregate qualifying period

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

EXCHANGE PERSONNEL

• Personnel from other forces on exchange with the ADF and deployed on Operation MAZURKA:

– have NIL entitlement to ADF deployment packages– are provided conditions of service from their parent country

Other Information

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

Where can I find the conditions of service for Op MAZURKA?

• 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

Other Information

Correct as at 22 Apr 15

Any Questions?