3.11.3.40 Defence Force Reserves

Overview

Defence Force reservists receiving unemployment payments can perform reserve training, reserve service or, on some occasions, continuous full-time service. Depending on what type of service a reservist is undertaking, however, it may affect their entitlement to payment. In most cases there will be some effect on their mutual obligation requirements AND, in some cases, the income test. There are also situations that can mean that the job seeker is no longer regarded as unemployed and therefore their payments will be cancelled.

Defence Force Reserve training

All recipients of income support undertaking a training camp in the Defence Force Reserves are taken to satisfy their mutual obligation requirements, and are not required to meet additional requirements, such as job search. A training camp is a programmed camp or a related training activity, and can include:

• induction and employment training courses for new recruits
• a compulsory annual camp, which can last between 2 and 4 weeks, AND
• training courses, subsequent continuation or on-the-job training, and other recognised training activities.

Attendance at a programmed training camp or recognised training activity is usually verified by the equivalent of a signed training notice or signal notice. Where a training notice is not issued a reservist must produce authorised documentary evidence of the training activity. If the activity cannot be verified as training, it should be regarded as service and the rules below apply.

Note: Different documentation will be provided by each of the services.

Job seekers who are attending an Armed Forces Reserves training camp overseas may be granted an approved overseas absence exemption for the length of their camp.

Defence Force Reserve service

A reservist who undertakes Reserve service may continue to receive payment depending on the hours of service. Reserve service is where a reservist receives tax-free salary paid on a daily rate.

Reserve service of less than 35 hours per week

Reservists who undertake Reserve service of less than 35 hours per week are able to maintain qualification for payment. Reservists who are undertaking service MUST notify Services Australia, their employment services provider and/or the digital services contact centre so that they can have this activity included in their Job Plan. Those doing between 20 and 35 hours per week will need to meet other requirements in their Job Plan, including job search requirements (3.11.1).

Reserve service of 35 or more hours per week

Reservists who undertake Reserve service of 35 hours or more per week are able to maintain qualification for payment for a maximum of 12 weeks during any 12-month period. After 12 weeks, whether service is continuous or cumulative, payment will be cancelled as the reservist will be considered employed.

This activity MUST be included in the reservist's Job Plan.

Note: Reserve service of 35 or more hours per week should only be suitable as an activity to satisfy requirements for those reservists who have been on payment for 3 months or more. This is to avoid the possibility of reservists leaving paid work to attend full-time Reserve service and claim payment in order to take advantage of this policy.

Principal carer parents & Defence Force Reserve training

Principal carer parents engaged in Defence Force Reserve training of at least 30 hours a fortnight in accordance with their Job Plan are taken to satisfy their requirements and are not required to look for additional work. Principal carer parents engaged in continuous full-time service may be considered to be employed.

Income test

Under the provisions of SSAct section 8(8)(w), income from Reserve service is exempt from the income test. However, income earned from Reserve service during 'continuous full-time service' (1.1.C.335) is not exempt and is assessable under the income test.

Continuous full-time service

A reservist undertaking continuous full-time service is considered employed and therefore loses eligibility to JSP or YA. Income earned during continuous full-time service is assessable under the income test.