Defence Member and Family Support

Defence Member and Family Helpline

The all-hours Defence Member and Family Helpline is the first port of call for Defence families seeking support, information or connection with their community.

Available 24/7, 365 days a year, it is staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists, who can provide assessment, emotional support, crisis intervention services, advice or referral, depending on the member or family’s needs.

Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) offers a range of programs and services to help Defence members and their families manage the challenges and opportunities of each stage of military life.

Defence COVID-19 testing ACT

For ADF members and families in the ACT. At the direct request of the ACT Government to assist with the overwhelming demand for COVID testing in the ACT, Defence is offering COVID-19 testing to ADF (including SERCAT 3-7), Defence APS, ASD Staff, and their household members (who are immediate family and aged 12 years and over), at the Defence ACT Health Centre (ACTHC), Duntroon Garrison.

This testing follows the same protocols as ACT government testing and reporting, including the normal requirement to isolate following your test until a negative result is received.

There are four reasons you should be getting tested for COVID-19:

• you have been directed by public health authorities, either in a contact tracing interview, or as a result of an extant public health direction/order
• you have COVID-19 symptoms
• surveillance testing as approved by the Surgeon General ADF
• • certain travellers prior to undertaking essential Defence business, who have been directed to obtain a test.

Defence must prioritise COVID testing so our people should only present for the above reasons.

Testing will be available Monday – Friday, between 8am and 4pm. Please follow the signs to the testing area at ACT Health Centre Duntroon where you will be able to register your attendance. Follow the directions of staff which may include waiting in your vehicle. We appreciate your patience.

For more information regarding COVID testing, please visit the ACT Health website http://www.covid19.act.gov.au/

Defence Family Matters is out now!

The latest issue of Defence Family Matters is out and on its way to mailboxes and offices around the country!

Defence families have dealt with many unexpected challenges this year, but no matter what they’ve been faced with, their resilience and adaptability has shone through.

In our cover story, the Sternberg family share how they managed the difficulties of being posted to opposite ends of the country, unable to visit as planned due to the long lockdown in Victoria.

In our feature story, we hear from Shane about adjusting to health issues and special needs, and how the Defence Special Needs Support Group has been there to support her family. Defence kids Beth and Clark share their perspectives about growing up in a Defence family while Rosy shares how she has adjusted to life as a Defence partner in a new country and a new state.

We also catch up with more of our Defence families around the country at the activities, events and workshops hosted by our regional offices.

View the online version

The WATCH project

Is a member of your family a current-serving ADF member? The WATCH project is now recruiting ADF family members.

Defence and Phoenix Australia invite family members of permanent ADF members to participate in the WATCH research project. This project will assist in finding ways that Defence can better support ADF members experiencing changes in their mental health.

If you choose to participate, you will attend a 1-hour focus group or interview to discuss ways your ADF family member maintains their mental health and wellbeing, and your experiences in supporting this process.

The WATCH Project is a collaboration between Phoenix Australia and the Department of Defence and has been approved by DDVA HREC protocol number 277-20.

For more information and to register your interest in participating: https://www.phoenixaustralia.org/expertise/research/current-treatment-trials/watch-study-family-members/"

We are changing our name

On 1 July 2021, we will change our name from Defence Community Organisation (DCO) to Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS).

The new name reflects our vision, what we do and who we do it for and will strengthen our position within the broader community as a Defence-led service.

While we are changing our name, there will be no changes to any of the services or programs currently offered to ADF members and their families. The local area offices around Australia will remain and there will be no changes to the Defence Member and Family Helpline number 1800 624 608.

Families can expect to see a couple of changes online as factsheets, guides, forms and office email addresses change to the new name. You can also expect to see name changes to social media channels, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, google business listings and on ForceNet.

CDF message to ADF families

Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, has thanked families for their ongoing efforts in supporting the ADF.

Read the letter from General Campbell to ADF families.

Time is running out to get your new Defence Common Access Card (DCAC)

What you need to know

From 1 July 2021 – only new DCACs will be valid for access to Defence sites.

What you need to do

Visit a Defence Pass Office with your ADF member to replace your DCAC – your ADF member can book an appointment through the DCAC Upgrade Portal.
Take your existing DCAC with you when you collect your new DCAC so that it can be returned for deactivation and disposal.
View our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Call 1800 DEFENCE or email yourcustomer.service@defence.gov.au for further support.

ADF partner deploying and not sure what to expect?

Join experienced DMFS ' files experts for our new webinar series “Deployment: embracing the challenge’. The webinars feature a range of tips, strategies and resources to help partners, parents and kids with a member absent from home, who has recently returned from deployment or are going to deploy soon. It’s also a chance to ask questions.

Follow us on social media, or visit our event calendar below for information about session times, dates and how to get tickets. To see the range of deployment support and resources available, see Deployment and time apart.

Good news for ADF partners looking for employment!

With a difficult employment market and increased numbers of people competing for the available jobs, the eligibility criteria for the Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) has been changed to support families during COVID-19. Where previously partners who’ve relocated had to apply within two years of moving to a new posting location, you can now apply for up to $1500 for employment services anytime during the posting cycle!

Get all the details and the application form on the Partner employment page. Advice and assistance is always available from the 24/7 Defence Member and Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 or email memberandfamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au.