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

2. References
PACMAN Version 2 Chapter 17
DMCHP ADF COS signal DTG Z OCT 14
DMCHP APS COS signal DTG Z OCT 14
Defence Determination 2014/53 Dated 23 Oct 14
DMCHP Restructure of Deployment Allowance message dated Z OCT 14

3. 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 Assistant Minister for Defence.
Op OKRA - has been declared non-warlike service for the period 1 Jul – 8 Aug 14 across the whole of the specified area and warlike service in Zone A and non-warlike in Zone B from 9 Aug 14 onwards.

4. Specified Areas From 1 Jul to 8 Aug 14 – non-warlike:
Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE and the Persian Gulf.
From 9 Aug 14 onwards:
Zone A – warlike – Iraq
Zone B – non-warlike:
Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, the Persian Gulf, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Montenegro, Poland and Romania.
THIS CONDITIONS OF SERVICE PACK IS FOR MAZUKA ONLY. MEMBERS SHOULD NOT TRY AND EQUATE THESE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE TO OTHER OPERATIONS, OVERSEAS POSTING OR LOCAL DOMESTIC ENTITLEMENTS.
TO BE ELIGIBLE YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
FIRSTLY, SERVING WITHIN THE LAND BOUNDARIES OF EAST BANK OF THE SUEZ CANAL AND THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY BETWEEN EGYPT AND ISRAEL.
SERVE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED OPERATION COMMENCE AND CEASE DATES,
BE PART OF THE DESIGNATED FORCE, AND
SOME CONDITIONS ARE DEPENDANT ON THE LENGTH OF DEPLOYMENT.

5. Warlike Service - Definition
The application of force is authorised to pursue specific military objectives and there is an expectation of casualties.
Types:
Declared war;
Conventional combat operations against an armed adversary; and
Peace enforcement IAW Chap VII of UN Charter.

6. 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.

7. Reviews in circumstance; in the task or role of deployed force;
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.

8. Eligibility To be eligible for the COS package, members must be:
assigned for duty with Operation OKRA, and
be within the Op OKRA specified area.
Eligibility for some COS depend on the expected length of deployment and operational requirements.
THIS CONDITIONS OF SERVICE PACK IS FOR MAZUKA ONLY. MEMBERS SHOULD NOT TRY AND EQUATE THESE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE TO OTHER OPERATIONS, OVERSEAS POSTING OR LOCAL DOMESTIC ENTITLEMENTS.
TO BE ELIGIBLE YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
FIRSTLY, SERVING WITHIN THE LAND BOUNDARIES OF EAST BANK OF THE SUEZ CANAL AND THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY BETWEEN EGYPT AND ISRAEL.
SERVE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED OPERATION COMMENCE AND CEASE DATES,
BE PART OF THE DESIGNATED FORCE, AND
SOME CONDITIONS ARE DEPENDANT ON THE LENGTH OF DEPLOYMENT.

9. 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
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

10. 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.

11. Housing and Removals MWD
normally there must be a remaining deployment tenure of six months at time removal is affected
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.

12. For full list of criteria refer to
Housing and Removals
For full list of criteria refer to
PACMAN Ch 17
COS signal
Toll Transitions
Check Insurance! It remains the members responsibility to ensure continued insurance coverage for home and content during any period of absence.

13. Pre-deployment Leave and Travel
Deployments of less than six months do not normally attract a Pre-deployment Leave benefit:
Some provision exist for special cases; apply via relevant service DGPERS
Deployments of six months or more - Pre-deployment Leave:
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.

14. Before Deployment Members should: Check with Centrelink regarding:
Family Tax Benefits:
Note - 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

15. Deployment Allowance (DA)
Allowances
Deployment Allowance (DA)
Zone A - $150 per day
Zone B - $81.72 per day
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
Operational Factors:
political and military situation
activities and aims of military forces
military hazards
incidence of violent crime
the nature of the deployment
command arrangements
Environmental Factors:
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

16. Allowances
DA is paid:
In recognition of operational and environmental hazards and stress likely to be experienced of 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
Operational Factors:
political and military situation
activities and aims of military forces
military hazards
incidence of violent crime
the nature of the deployment
command arrangements
Environmental Factors:
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

17. Allowances
Other allowances where applicable:
Separation
Special Forces Disability
Flying
Maritime
Field Allowance applications are to be submitted to DGSPT at HQJOC for approval IAW the requirements of PACMAN, providing the stipulated threshold criterion of 'living in the field' has been met.

18. MWOD members DO have this allowance ceased:
Allowances
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
War Service Leave - 18 days pro-rata pa accrued on a daily basis. No qualifying period and only accrued inside specified area.
Non-warlike service ARL – 10 days pro-rata pa accrued on a daily basis. No qualifying period and only accrued inside the specified area.
ARL – combination of Field, Maritime or Flying granted IAW PACMAN, if eligible:
ERL is not granted for deployments

20. Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance
The purpose of Relief Out of Country Travel Fare Assistance 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

21. ROCTFA ROCTFA entitlement is based on duration of deployment:
Less than 6 months = NIL
NB: HQJOC may approve 1 ROCTFA in exceptional circumstances see PACMAN a
6 months but less than 9 months = 1
9 months but less than 12 months = 2
ROCTFA RTA designated destination for OP OKRA:
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 (MWOD), or
to the Defence recognised dependant normal residential loc within Australia (MWD(U)).
there is no offset for the RTA provision.

22. ROCTFA ROCTFA - continued
For members who do not wish to RTA the ROCTFA destination is Rome.
Members may offset the cost of return travel to from Dubai 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.
Class of travel – economy class (all ranks) using the best fare of the day that offers a reasonable standard of safety and security
NB: TA is not payable while on ROCTFA.

23. Taxation
Members who deploy on warlike operations are not required to pay income tax on salary and allowances associated with their deployment.
Section 23AD ITAA:
all ADF salary and allowances earned inside Zone A are exempt from taxation
Taxation exemption continues on RTA for all unused leave accrued while deployed.
ITAA = the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936

24. Taxation
Service in the UAE, Jordan, Cyprus, Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia and Montenegro:
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
Service where section 23AG does not apply in Zone B:
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 concessional rebate

25. Other Information
Meals and Accommodation provided at Commonwealth expense in specified area; or
If meals are not provided – O/S TA (including incidentals) can be paid
Telephone calls & mail service:
NOT a COS, however, members maybe provided the opportunity to telephone Australia:
The frequency and duration of these calls will be set by HQJOC.

26. 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 -
It is essential to keep records and report all incidents. Ensure all paperwork is completed.

27. Other Information
Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme – Warlike service
qualifying period remains unaffected by warlike service
possibility of up to an additional 5 years subsidy
only periods Within Specified Area count as warlike service for the purpose of this scheme
Medals
TBA

28. Defence APS Employees Allowances
Operational Support Allowance (if assigned to undertake operational support duties):
$150 per day – service in Iraq
81.72 per day - all other countries/locations
Refer to DEFGRAM 211/2013 for payment of allowance details

29. Defence APS Employees Leave and Travel
APS employees additional annual leave for duty in operational areas.
Additional 10 days annual leave for duty in an AO, pro rata pa, and
1 day additional annual leave for every 10 days of service paid OSA; to a maximum of 10 days pa.
Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance (ROCTFA).
APS employees are eligible to ROCTFA in accordance with PACMAN Part 9 Div 6

30. Defence APS Employees Taxation
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.
Note: Section 23AG does not apply in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania or the maritime area nor to pers who have Diplomatic Accreditation.

31. 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 war zone and reimbursement capped at $2,244.

32. Foreign Third Country Deployments
Personnel from other nations/forces on exchange with the ADF and deployed on Operation OKRA:
have no eligibility to ADF deployment package
are provided conditions of service from their parent country (other than TA)

33. Where can I find more information?
CoS messages for all operations are published on the DPG web page
Questions are to be directed through your chain of Command in the first instance

34. Any Questions?