Defence force leave
Defence force leave is unpaid leave given to employees to attend reservist training or to serve with the Australian Defence Force.
Reservists with the Australian Defence Force (ADF)
Reservists are people who have volunteered to participate part-time in the ADF. This participation requires periods of training with the ADF, and when necessary serving in the defence and protection of Australia. This participation is called defence service and requires reservists who are employees to take periods of leave from their employers.
The Defence Reserve Services (Protection) Act 2001 provides specific protection measures for reservists, and places legally binding obligations on employers in the areas of perceived discrimination, hindrance, loss of status and entitlements due to their employees’ defence service.
What is Defence force leave?
Defence force leave is leave given to employees to attend reservist training or to serve with the ADF.
Employers cannot refuse to allow employees to take part in defence service. While the leave is mandatory, there is no obligation on employers to continue to pay employees during their absence. Employers must not hinder in any way employees who request or take leave to carry out their defence service, and employers are required to reemploy reservists after their leave.
Can employees can be asked to use their annual leave or long service leave for defence service?
While employers cannot require their employees to use their annual or long service leave for defence service, reservists can agree to use their paid leave entitlements during their defence force leave.
Assistance for employers
The Employer Support Payment Scheme provides financial assistance to eligible employers to help offset the costs of releasing employees for most categories of defence service.
Further information
For further information visit: www.defence.gov.au/reserves or call the Defence Reserves Support Council on 1800 803 485. More information on the Employer Support Payment Scheme is available by calling the ESP helpline on 1800 001 696.