Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument (No. 14) 2025

Overview

The Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument (No. 14) 2025, enacted in 2025, addresses the need to provide financial assistance to specific members of the Defence Force during the COVID-19 pandemic. This instrument was created under the authority of section 4.12.4 of the Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service, by Michael Ian McCulloch, Director Drafting and Engagement of the Department of Defence. The primary objective of this legislation is to offer the Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance to eligible Defence Force members from 16 July 2025, ensuring support for those directly affected by the pandemic. The instrument, which comes into effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislation, specifically targets members assigned certain PMKeyS numbers, as detailed in Schedule 1.

Scope and Application

The Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument (No. 14) 2025 applies to members of the Australian Defence Force who are assigned specific PMKeyS numbers outlined in Schedule 1 of the instrument. This notifiable instrument establishes the conditions under which the Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance is payable, effective from 16 July 2025, once the instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation. The allowance pertains to members assigned particular PMKeyS numbers, thereby determining the eligibility for this allowance. The instrument is made under section 4.12.4 of Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service, and its application is limited to the class of members specified, thereby providing clarity on who qualifies for the allowance. The instrument’s scope is confined to the Defence Force, with no broader application to other industries or entities outside of the Defence Force.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Defence Determination, Conditions of service (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance) Commencement Instrument (No. 14) 2025, are sections 2 to 4, which detail the commencement, authority, and payment of the Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance. Section 2 specifies that the instrument commences upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislation. Section 3 indicates that the instrument is made under section 4.12.4 of Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service. Section 4 then stipulates that the Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance is payable from 16 July 2025 to members who fall within the class specified in Schedule 1 of the instrument. The obligations and requirements imposed by the Act include the timely registration of the instrument on the Federal Register of Legislation, ensuring that it commences on the specified date. The Defence Determination must be adhered to, and the payment of the Operation COVID-19 ASSIST Allowance must be made to the eligible members as outlined in the instrument. The members who are entitled to this allowance are those who are assigned specific PMKeyS numbers listed in Schedule 1, which includes the number 82121708652942. There are no explicit provisions regarding offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach in the text provided. However, failure to comply with the Defence Determination and the conditions set out in the instrument could potentially result in legal consequences under the Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service. The specifics of such consequences would be determined by the relevant authorities and would depend on the nature and severity of the breach.