It's the benefits you receive in the Navy that make all the difference and you won't find their equal in a civilian workplace.
Our Defence Force personnel have to move around more than most other people. That's why we provide various forms of housing assistance to support them. Most assistance is a subsidy, which means you only have to pay a partial contribution towards the overall cost.
If you are in training or you have a specific role that requires your presence on base you might ‘live in'. This could be in Mess type accommodation, or on a shore establishment, where your rooms will be comfortable and private. You may be required to pay a small contribution, unless you are a submariner, a recruit, or a member with dependents.

Dental You will qualify for any specialist treatment deemed necessary for your ongoing health.
As an employee of the Navy you are entitled to free medical and dental treatment. Our Doctors, Dentists and Nurses are trained to the highest standards of medical care and work in state-of-the-art facilities. It's not only urgent medical care you will receive, you will also qualify for any special treatment deemed necessary for your ongoing health.
There's lots of leave in the Navy. You're entitled to a basic leave amount of four weeks per year. This increases to six if you are posted to a sea going vessel. If you spend time carrying out official duties overnight or on weekends you may also receive five extra days recreational leave. After ten years service you're entitled to three months long service leave on top of your standard 20 days per year recreation leave.
The Navy provides 52 weeks maternity leave to female members who become pregnant. For women who have served 12 months or more, the first 14 weeks of this leave is at full pay. The rest will normally be unpaid maternity leave.
This can apply when a relative is seriously ill or passes away. There are many other types of leave such as parental leave and leave without pay, which you may qualify for during your time in the Navy.
One of the great benefits of a career in the Navy is all of the opportunities to travel, during your career you will get to see more of the country than most others would in a lifetime. You could be deployed overseas or within Australia and there are also opportunities to study abroad.
If you are not required to live on base, or you have dependents and there is no suitable Service residence available, you can rent a home on the private rental market and receive rent allowance. How much you pay depends on your rank, the number of bedrooms in the house or apartment and whether or not you are sharing. A rent ceiling is set, meaning you can choose to rent at any amount, but the Navy's contribution will not exceed a certain point. If there is live-in accommodation available which you choose not to use, you may receive a lower rate of assistance.
This is very similar to the arrangement with private rental accommodation, except that Service Accommodationn is approved by the Defence Housing Authority. If you have a spouse or dependants, or if you are single and the accommodationisn't being used, you may be able to receive assistance to live here. Again, the amount depends on your rank, the number of bedrooms and whether or not you are sharing. A recent ceiling is also set here.

Many of us feel that the great Australian dream of purchasing a home is slipping away. However, as a member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) we might be able to help you purchase your own home, at competitive market rates. As of July 1st 2008, the ADF is proposing to introduce the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS). This would be a new scheme to enable members who have completed a minimum of four years continuous full-time service, or eight years efficient Reserve service, to qualify for a subsidised home loan. The longer a member serves in the ADF, the greater the proposed subsidy on the Home Loan by the Australian Government. Full details of the new Home Loan assistance scheme will be announced on the 1st July 2008, as it is now subject to Government approval.
In addition to the subsidised DHOAS, eligible Defence members may currently also be entitled to a one-off taxable payment of $15,462, under the Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS). This amount is payable to eligible members to cover home purchasing costs like legal expenses. Combine the payment of HPAS and the State Government's First Home Owner Grant to eligible members and the great Australian dream of purchasing a home is suddenly much closer.
Our members are required to contribute 5% of their salary to the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme, but the Navy funds these contributions so they can earn interest. This interest accumulates in a seperate account to that of your own payments. Any fees associated with your contributions are met by the Navy. The Navy's contribution ranges between 18% p.a. and 28% p.a. of your salary, averaged out over your last three years of service.
We have quite a few different types of travel entitlements, like Recreation Leave Travel and Reunion Travel which allow you to arrange visits home and with your family and friends.
The Navy will do everything it can to get you home to your family when a loved one falls critically ill or you experience some kind of personal crisis. Even when you are out at sea we will do our best to handle everything for you, from booking flights, to arranging a lift from the airport right to your front door.