Pay & Benefits
- Can I get housing assistance?
- Do I have to pay for meals and accommodation while at initial military training and initial employment training?
- Do I have to pay for medical and dental treatment?
- Do I pay tax?
- How much will I be paid in the ADF?
- What sort of pay would I get as a Part Time member? Is it true that it is tax-free?
- What superannuation scheme do ADF members contribute to?
Can I get housing assistance?
Married members, members in ADF recognised interdependent relationships and certain single members with dependants (who have been recognised as dependants by the ADF), who are posted to localities where they do not own a suitable home, and in which they intend to maintain a family home, are entitled to accommodation assistance. This assistance may be either the provision of a Married Quarter or payment of a Rental Allowance, if no Married Quarter is available and the member is required to obtain accommodation from the private rental market. To qualify for a Married Quarter, the period of posting must normally be for at least 12 months. If you are posted for a period of less than 12 months, you may receive Temporary Accommodation Allowance or you may be allocated a Married Quarter on a temporary basis if one is available. Some Married Quarters are located on base, but most are located in the civilian community.
Do I have to pay for meals and accommodation while at initial military training and initial employment training?
Initial Military (Recruit or Officer) Training
a. Trainees who are single are not required to pay for accommodation, but are required to pay a contribution of $62.25 per week for meals and $11.00 per week for utilities. Reservists are exempt from these charges.
b. Trainees who are married or in a service-recognised interdependent relationship, who have been categorised Members with Dependants Unaccompanied (MWD(U)), are not required to pay for accommodation, meals or utilities. MWD(U) may be required to pay a contribution for their dependants' housing if they are receiving Defence housing assistance.
a. Single trainees are required to pay a contribution for accommodation, which varies from $36.95 to $66.34 per week depending on sharing arrangements, a contribution of $62.25 per week for meals and $11.00 per week for utilities.
b. Trainees who are married or in a service-recognised interdependent relationship, who have been categorised Members with Dependants Unaccompanied (MWD(U)), are not required to pay for accommodation, meals or utilities. MWD(U) may be required to pay a contribution for their dependants' housing if they are receiving Defence housing assistance.
Do I have to pay for medical and dental treatment?
The ADF provides, free of cost to you, such medical and dental treatment to assist you to remain in good health. Certain procedures, for example, cosmetic surgery and IVF are not normally provided at Defence expense.
Do I pay tax?
Full-time Defence personnel are required to pay income tax. Part-time personnel (Reservists) do not pay income tax for their Defence wage.
How much will I be paid in the ADF?
Pay rates vary depending on the job you take. For details on the current salary and allowances paid to Australian Defence Force personnel, please refer to the ADF document. Part Time pay is tax-free and varies for each job and avenue of entry. Wages paid for Part-Time positions are available on each job's information page.
What sort of pay would I get as a Part Time member? Is it true that it is tax-free?
Part Time pay for each avenue of entry and job varies. Wages paid are available on each job's information page. Yes, Part Time pay is tax-free.
What superannuation scheme do ADF members contribute to?
All members of the Permanent (full time) Forces automatically become members of the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS) on entry. Contributions are normally set at 5 per cent of salary. The MSBS provides a range of members' benefits, spouse benefits and invalidity benefits.