Assistant Minister for Defence - Announcement of overseas conditions of service for ADF personnel

The Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, today announced conditions of service for ADF personnel serving in Iraq and other Middle East countries.

These conditions of service are based on the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Deployment Allowance framework. Under this framework, the threat level of an operation is the sole metric used to determine the rate of the allowance.

“Personnel currently deployed to Iraq on Operation OKRA will receive a tax-exempt allowance of $150 a day,” Mr Robert said. 

“Owing to the reduced threat levels outside of Iraq, personnel deployed in these locations on Operation OKRA will receive an allowance of $80.51 a day.”

No changes have been made to the tax exemption status of personnel; however it does vary depending on the individual's deployed location. 

Mr Robert said the threat level was determined by a Defence Intelligence Organisation assessment.

“Defence regularly reviews the operational situation and allowance rates, which are adjusted up or down if the threat level changes,” Mr Robert said.

“The Defence Intelligence Organisation assesses likely risks, adversary intentions and capabilities, local environmental conditions and hazards and health risks, within the context of the approved mission profile.”

From 1 January 2015, Australia's military contribution in Afghanistan will be conducted under Operation HIGHROAD.

“ADF members who are deployed on Operation HIGHROAD will also receive the same tax-exempt rate of Deployment Allowance of $150 a day,” Mr Robert said.

The Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal's consideration of the ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement 2014 (WRA) has no bearing on the determination of the level of operational allowances.

“Unfortunately, some recent media reports have incorrectly confused the WRA with conditions of service allowances,” Mr Robert said.

“Rates of allowances for overseas deployments have been governed under the terms and conditions of a 1993 Cabinet-agreed framework on conditions of service.

“This framework has been applied by successive governments since that time.

“It is important to note that while overseas allowances can go up and down, they are adjusted in accordance with an objective assessment of threats in the area ADF members are deployed to. They are not subject to any savings measures as suggested by confused media reporting.”

Media contacts:

Richard Briedis (Minister Robert’s Office) (02) 6277 7730 or 0477 391 174

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999