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Commonwealth legislation
This law creates a financial-assistance scheme for employers and self‑employed reservists who lose civilian income when Defence Force members are called to service. It provides core support payments (with caps and duration limits), extended payments for service‑related injury or death, and extra relief for substantial business losses. Eligible employers and members must meet trading, employment‑length, and wage conditions; the Chief of the Defence Force decides claims (reviewable by the Administrative Review Tribunal). It helps share the cost of reservist absences.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Defence (Employer Support Payment Scheme) Determination 2023.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
| This instrument is the Defence (Employer Support Payment Scheme) Determination 2023. |
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| This instrument is made under section 58B of the Defence Act 1903. |
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| Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms. |
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| The purpose of this Determination is to establish a scheme for providing financial assistance to businesses that employ members of the Reserves who have been absent from their civilian workplace on defence service. |
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<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:468pt; margin-left:5.65pt; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="width:40.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain" style="text-align:center"><span></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:406.15pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>This Determination applies to the following persons:</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:40.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">a.</span></p></td><td style="width:377.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>An employer of a member of the Reserves who has been absent from the civilian workplace on defence service.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:40.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">b.</span></p></td><td style="width:377.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>A self-employed member of the Reserves who has been absent from their business on defence service.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
| If an approved form is specified in relation to any application or request, the applicant or person making the request must complete and submit the approved form in accordance with any instructions on it. |
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<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:468pt; margin-left:5.65pt; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="width:40.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain" style="text-align:center"><span>1.</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:406.15pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="background-color:#ffffff">This Determination makes reference to rules in other instruments including the following:</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:40.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">a.</span></p></td><td style="width:377.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>Acts of Parliament.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:40.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">b.</span></p></td><td style="width:377.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>Provisions of legislative instruments covered by subsection 14(3) of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Legislation Act 2003.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:40.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">c.</span></p></td><td style="width:377.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>Determinations of the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal made under section 58H of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Defence Act 1903.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:40.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">d.</span></p></td><td style="width:377.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>Determinations made under section 58B of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Defence Act 1903.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:40.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain" style="text-align:center"><span>2.</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:406.15pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="background-color:#ffffff">All of the following apply to instruments listed in subsection 1:</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:40.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">a.</span></p></td><td style="width:377.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>If a date is specified — the reference is to the rules that were in force on that date.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:40.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">b.</span></p></td><td style="width:377.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>If no date is specified — the reference is to the rules that are in force from time to time.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
| This Part defines general terms used throughout this Determination. |
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<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:466.85pt; margin-left:7pt; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext" style="text-align:center"><span></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:406.35pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>The following definitions apply to this Determination.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext" style="text-align:center"><span></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:406.35pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Additional support payment</span><span> means an amount payable under Part 5.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext" style="text-align:center"><span></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:406.35pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Applicant</span><span>, means an employer applicant or a member applicant as relevant to an application.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext" style="text-align:center"><span></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:406.35pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Application</span><span> means any of the following:</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext" style="text-align:center"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext"><span>a.</span></p></td><td style="width:378pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="background-color:#ffffff">An application for a support payment.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext" style="text-align:center"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext"><span>b.</span></p></td><td style="width:378pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="background-color:#ffffff">An application for an extended support payment.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext" style="text-align:center"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext"><span>c.</span></p></td><td style="width:378pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="background-color:#ffffff">An application for an additional support payment.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:406.35pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Approved form</span><span> m</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff">eans a form approved by the Deputy Head Reserve and Cadet Support Division by notifiable instrument.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:406.35pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Assessment period</span><span> means a 12 month period nominated by the member applicant that meets one of the following:</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext" style="text-align:center"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext"><span>a.</span></p></td><td style="width:378pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>The period ends 3 months or less before the member commences defence service relating to the claim period.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext" style="text-align:center"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:17.55pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext"><span>b.</span></p></td><td style="width:378pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span>The period ends on a day more than 3 months before the member commences defence service relating to the claim period that the CDF considers reasonable.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:10pt; line-height:normal; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:406.35pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Average weekly wage</span><span> means, for the 12 months commencing on 1 July in the year before an application is made, the amount estimated by the Australian Statistician as the average weekly full-time adult ordinary time earnings for all employees in Australia in November of the preceding year, as published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:38.9pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Sectiontext" style="text-align:center"><span></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:406.35pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="BlockText-Plain"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.