Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations (Amendment)

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1978 No. 240

REGULATIONS UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT 1903, THE NAVAL DEFENCE ACT 1910 AND THE AIR FORCE ACT 1923*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Defence Act 1903, the Naval Defence Act 1910 and the Air Force Act 1923.

Dated this twenty-third day of November 1978.

ZELMAN COWEN

Governor-General

By His Excellency’s Command,

D. J. KILLEN

Minister of State for Defence

AMENDMENTS OF THE DEFENCE FORCE (RESERVES) (FINANCIAL) REGULATIONS†

Interpretation

1. Regulation 2 of the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations is amended by adding at the end thereof the following sub-regulation:

“ (5) Unless the contrary intention appears, a reference in these Regulations, by name, to a rank in an arm of the Defence Force includes a reference to any other rank in that arm that, in accordance with the law governing that arm, corresponds to the first-mentioned rank.”.

Service of a member in a rank

2. Regulation 12 of the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations is amended by adding at the end thereof the following sub-regulation:

“ (14) For the purpose of ascertaining the period of service completed in the rank of Lieutenant by an officer of the Navy who held that rank on 6 January 1978 and was promoted to that rank before that date—

* Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 30 November 1978.

† Statutory Rules 1976 No. 16 as amended by Statutory Rules 1976 Nos. 41, 75, 82, 137, 198 and 264; 1977 Nos. 81, 97, 138, 160, 174 and 280; and 1978 Nos. 5, 51 and 117.

(a) if, on that date, the officer had completed or was deemed to have completed less than 2 years' service in that rank, he shall be deemed to have been promoted to that rank on that day; and

(b) in any other case, the period of service that, apart from this sub-regulation, the officer had completed or was deemed to have completed in that rank on that date shall be reduced by 2 years.”.

Further amendments

3. The Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations are amended as set out in Schedule 1.

Schedule 1

4. Schedule 1 to the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations is repealed and the Schedule set out in Schedule 2 substituted.

Schedule 5

5. Schedule 5 to the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations is repealed and the Schedule set out in Schedule 3 substituted.

Schedule 7

6. Schedule 7 to the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations is repealed and the Schedule set out in Schedule 4 substituted.

Application

7. The Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations as amended by these Regulations apply in relation to service by—

(a) members of the Navy and of the Army—on or after 6 January 1978; and

(b) members of the Air Force—on or after 5 January 1978.

Transitional

8. (1) Notwithstanding regulation 7, the amount payable to a member included in a class of members the description of which is specified in the heading to Schedule 1, 5 or 7 to the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations shall, in respect of reserve service—

(a) in the case of a member of the Navy or the Army— during the period from and including 6 January 1978 to and including 2 March 1978; or

(b) in the case of a member of the Air Force—during the period from and including 5 January 1978 to and including 1 March 1978,

be the amount that would have been payable to the member during that period if the following Schedules had, at the commencement of that period, been substituted for Schedules 1, 5 and 7 to the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations and had remained in force during the whole of that period:

SCHEDULE 1 Regulation 7

OFFICERS OTHER THAN OFFICERS WHO HOLD AN APPOINTMENT SPECIFIED IN THE TABLE IN REGULATION 4 OR ARE OFFICERS DESCRIBED IN SCHEDULES 3 AND 4

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Amount
			$
Acting Sub-Lieutenant ...	Second Lieutenant .......	Pilot Officer ...........	25.10
Sub-Lieutenant—	Lieutenant—	Flying Officer—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	27.12
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	28.83
Lieutenant—	Captain—	Flight Lieutenant—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	31.96
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	34.40
4 years ............	4 years .............	4 years .............	36.84
Lieutenant-Commander—	Major—	Squadron Leader—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	39.28
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	41.28
4 years ............	4 years .............	4 years .............	43.29
Commander—	Lieutenant-Colonel—	Wing Commander—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	45.30
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	48.43
Captain—	Colonel—	Group Captain—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	51.57
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	54.68
	Brigadier .............	...................	65.93
	Major-General .........	...................	77.28

SCHEDULE 5 Regulation 8

MEMBERS OTHER THAN OFFICERS AND MEMBERS
UNDERGOING TRAINING IN A CAPACITY REFERRED TO IN SCHEDULE 7

Part I

Ranks			Amount
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level
Navy	Army	Air Force	1	2	3	4	5	6
			$	$	$	$	$	$
Seaman .....	Private .....	Aircraftman.	17.56	18.43	19.27	20.11	20.95	21.79
Able Seaman .	Lance Corporal	Leading Aircraftman	18.00	18.86	19.69	20.55	21.39	22.23
Leading Seaman	Corporal ...	Corporal ...	18.83	19.67	20.50	21.35	22.20	23.05

Part II

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Amount
			$
Petty Officer—	Sergeant—	Sergeant—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	19.99
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	21.55
4 years ............	4 years .............	4 years .............	23.00
6 years ............	6 years .............	6 years .............	24.64

Part III

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Amount
			$
Artificer, 1st Class—	Staff Sergeant—	Flight Sergeant—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	25.82
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	27.25
Chief Petty Officer—	Warrant Officer, Class 2—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	4 years .............	28.68
2 years ............	2 years .............	6 years .............	30.11
Warrant Officer—	Warrant Officer, Class 1—	Warrant Officer—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	31.54
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	32.96

SCHEDULE 7 Regulation 9

MEMBERS UNDERGOING TRAINING

Item No.	Training capacities	Amount
		$
1	Recruits during basic recruit training ...............................	16.36
2	Members who hold the rant of Private in the Army or an equivalent rank and who have not completed their category training, or their military trade or skill test	17.56
3	Members who are students at an Officer Cadet Training Unit other than a member referred to in item 4	16.88
4	Members who are students at an Officer Cadet Training Unit and who have completed a degree course	18.24

(2) Notwithstanding regulation 7, the amount payable to a member included in a class of members the description of which is specified in the heading to Schedule 1, 5 or 7 to the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations shall, in respect of reserve service—

(a) in the case of a member of the Navy or the Army—during the period from and including 3 March 1978 to and including 8 June 1978; or

(b) in the case of a member of the Air Force—during the period from and including 2 March 1978 to and including 7 June 1978,

SCHEDULE 1 Regulation 7

OFFICERS OTHER THAN OFFICERS WHO HOLD AN APPOINTMENT SPECIFIED IN THE TABLE IN REGULATION 4 OR ARE OFFICERS DESCRIBED IN SCHEDULES 3 AND 4

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Amount
			$
Acting Sub-Lieutenant ...	Second Lieutenant .......	Pilot Officer ...........	25.44
Sub-Lieutenant—	Lieutenant—	Flying Officer—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	27.46
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	29.16
Lieutenant—	Captain—	Flight Lieutenant—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	32.29
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	34.72
4 years ............	4 years .............	4 years .............	37.16
Lieutenant-Commander—	Major—	Squadron Leader—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	39.60
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	41.60
4 years ............	4 years .............	4 years .............	43.60
Commander—	Lieutenant-Colonel—	Wing Commander—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	45.61
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	48.74
Captain—	Colonel—	Group Captain—
Under 2 years .......	Under 2 years .........	Under 2 years .........	51.83
2 years ............	2 years .............	2 years .............	55.00
	Brigadier .............	...................	66.25
	Major-General .........	...................	77.60

SCHEDULE 5 Regulation 8

MEMBERS OTHER THAN OFFICERS AND MEMBERS UNDERGOING TRAINING IN A CAPACITY REFERRED TO IN SCHEDULE 7

Part I

Ranks			Amount
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level
Navy	Army	Air Force	1	2	3	4	5	6
			$	$	$	$	$	$
Seaman .....	Private ......	Aircraftman...	17.82	18.71	19.55	20.41	21.25	22.09
Able Seaman .	Lance Corporal.	Leading Aircraftman	18.28	19.15	19.99	20.85	21.69	22.53
Leading Seaman	Corporal .....	Corporal .....	19.12	19.96	20.81	21.66	22.50	23.35

Part II

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Amount
			$
Petty Officer—	Sergeant—	Sergeant—
Under 2 years ....	Under 2 years ........	Under 2 years .........	20.29
2 years .........	2 years .............	2 years .............	21.84
4 years .........	4 years .............	4 years .............	23.30
6 years .........	6 years .............	6 years .............	24.95

Part III

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Amount
			$
Artificer, 1st Class—	Staff Sergeant—	Flight Sergeant—
Under 2 years ....	Under 2 years ........	Under 2 years .........	26.12
2 years .........	2 years .............	2 years .............	27.55
Chief Petty Officer—	Warrant Officer, Class 2—
Under 2 years ..	Under 2 years ........	4 years .............	28.99
2 years .. ..	2 years .............	6 years .............	30.42
Warrant Officer—	Warrant Officer, Class 1—	Warrant Officer—
Under 2 years ..	Under 2 years ........	Under 2 years .........	31.86
2 years .. ..	2 years .............	2 years .............	33.28

SCHEDULE 7 Regulation 9

MEMBERS UNDERGOING TRAINING

Item	Training capacities	Amount
		$
1	Recruits during basic recruit training .................................	16.61
2	Members who hold the rank of Private in the Army or an equivalent rank and who have not completed their category training, or their military trade or skill test	17.82
3	Members who are students at an Officer Cadet Training Unit other than a member referred to in item 4	17.13
4	Members who are students at an Officer Cadet Training Unit and who have completed a degree course	18.51

(3) In this regulation, “ member ” and “ reserve service ” each has the same respective meaning as in the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations.

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 Regulation 3

Provision amended	Amendment
Sub-regulation 8 (1) ..........	Omit “ or 6 ”.
Sub-regulation 9 (2) ..........	Omit “ , 4, 5 or 6 ", substitute “ or 4 ”.
Sub-regulation 12 (5) .........	Omit “ or Part II of Schedule 6 ”.
Sub-regulation 12 (6) .........	Omit “ or Part II or III of Schedule 6 ”.
Sub-regulation 12 (10) ........	Omit “ or in Part II or III of Schedule 6 ”.
Sub-regulation 12 (11) ........	Omit “ or Part II or III of Schedule 6 ”.
Sub-regulation 16 (1) .........	Omit “ or Part 1 of Schedule 6 ” (twice occurring).
	Omit “ or Part 1 of Schedule 8 ”.
Sub-regulation 16 (2) .........	Omit “ or Part II or III of Schedule 6 ”.
Schedule 2 ................	Omit
Schedule 6 ................	Omit

SCHEDULE 2 Regulation 4

SCHEDULE 1 Regulation 7

OFFICERS OTHER THAN OFFICERS WHO HOLD AN APPOINTMENT SPECIFIED IN THE TABLE IN REGULATION 4 OR ARE OFFICERS DESCRIBED IN SCHEDULES 3 AND 4

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Amount
			$
Acting Sub-Lieutenant .	Second Lieutenant ......	Pilot Officer ..........	25.77
Sub-Lieutenant—	Lieutenant—	Flying Officer—
Under 2 years......	Under 2 years.........	Under 2 years.........	27.82
2 years..........	2 years.............	2 years..............	29.54
Lieutenant—	Captain—	Flight Lieutenant—
Under 2 years ......	Under 2 years ........	Under 2 years .........	32.71
2 years ..........	2 years .............	2 years .............	35.17
4 years ..........	4 years .............	4 years .............	37.64
Lieutenant-Commander—	Major—	Squadron Leader—
Under 2 years ......	Under 2 years ........	Under 2 years .........	40.11
2 years ..........	2 years .............	2 years .............	42.14
4 years ..........	4 years .............	4 years .............	44.17
Commander—	Lieutenant-Colonel—	Wing Commander—
Under 2 years ......	Under 2 years ........	Under 2 years .........	46.20
2 years ..........	2 years .............	2 years .............	49.38
Captain—	Colonel—	Group Captain—
Under 2 years ......	Under 2 years ........	Under 2 years .........	52.56
2 years ..........	2 years .............	2 years .............	55.71
	Brigadier .............	...................	67.11
	Major-General .........	...................	78.61

SCHEDULE 3 Regulation 5

SCHEDULE 5 Regulation 8

MEMBERS OTHER THAN OFFICERS AND MEMBERS UNDERGOING TRAINING IN A CAPACITY REFERRED TO IN SCHEDULE 7

Part I

Ranks			Amount
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level	Pay level
Navy	Army	Air Force	1	2	3	4	5	6
			$	$	$	$	$	$
Seaman.....	Private......	Aircraftman...	18.05	18.95	19.81	20.68	21.53	22.38
Able Seaman .	Lance Corporal.	Leading Aircraftman	18.51	19.39	20.25	21.12	21.97	22.83
Leading Seaman	Corporal.....	Corporal .....	19.36	20.22	21.08	21.94	22.79	23.65

Part II

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Amount
			$
Petty Officer—	Sergeant—	Sergeant—
Under 2 years ......	Under 2 years ........	Under 2 years .........	20.55
2 years ..........	2 years .............	2 years .............	22.13
4 years ..........	4 years .............	4 years .............	23.61
6 years ..........	6 years .............	6 years .............	25.28

Part III

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Navy	Army	Air Force	Amount
			$
Artificer, 1st Class—	Staff Sergeant—	Flight Sergeant—
Under 2 years ......	Under 2 years ........	Under 2 years .........	26.46
2 years ..........	2 years .............	2 years .............	27.91
Chief Petty Officer—	Warrant Officer, Class 2—
Under 2 years ......	Under 2 years ........	4 years .............	29.36
2 years ..........	2 years .............	6 years .............	30.81
Warrant Officer—	Warrant Officer, Class 1 —	Warrant Officer—
Under 2 years ......	Under 2 years ........	Under 2 years .........	32.27
2 years ..........	2 years .............	2 years .............	33.71

SCHEDULE 4 Regulation 6

SCHEDULE 7 Regulation 9

MEMBERS UNDERGOING TRAINING

Item	Training capacities	Amount
		$
1	Recruits during basic recruit training.................................	16.82
2	Members who hold the rank of Private in the Army or an equivalent rank and who have not completed their category training, or their military trade or skill test	18.05
3	Members who are students at an Officer Cadet Training Unit other than a member referred to in item 4	17.36
4	Members who are students at an Officer Cadet Training Unit and who have completed a degree course	18.74

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1978 No. 240, Regulations under the Defence Act 1903, the Naval Defence Act 1910, and the Air Force Act 1923, were enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, on 23 November 1978. These regulations were introduced to address the need for amendments to the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations, particularly concerning the financial entitlements of members of the Australian Defence Force's reserve components. The regulations were designed to align with the evolving needs of the defence force and ensure fair and accurate compensation for reservists based on their rank and length of service. The amendments made by these regulations include modifications to the interpretation of ranks, adjustments to the service period calculations for certain ranks, and the substitution of new schedules for existing ones to reflect updated pay rates. The transitional provisions ensure that the financial impacts of these changes are managed effectively, particularly for those reservists who were serving during the period immediately preceding the implementation of these new regulations. These amendments aim to provide clarity and consistency in the financial entitlements of reservists, reflecting their service and rank accurately.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument amends the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations, which pertain to the financial entitlements of members of the Australian Defence Force, specifically the Navy, Army, and Air Force. These regulations govern the financial benefits for reservists in terms of rank and length of service. The amendments apply to reservists' service on or after 6 January 1978 for Navy and Army members, and on or after 5 January 1978 for Air Force members. The regulations establish specific pay rates based on rank and years of service for officers and other members, and also detail pay rates for members undergoing training. The amendments include adjustments to pay rates and transitional provisions to ensure smooth application of the new rates. The scope of the Act is limited to financial entitlements for reservists and does not extend to other areas such as operational duties or benefits for full-time service personnel.

Key Provisions

These Regulations, made under the Defence Act 1903, the Naval Defence Act 1910 and the Air Force Act 1923, amend the Defence Force (Reserves) (Financial) Regulations. They introduce specific changes to the interpretation of ranks, the calculation of service periods for certain ranks, and the financial entitlements for Defence Force Reserve members. Regulation 2 adds a new sub-regulation (5) to clarify that references to a rank in the Defence Force include equivalent ranks in the same arm. Regulation 12 introduces sub-regulation (14) to adjust the service period for Navy officers who held the rank of Lieutenant before 6 January 1978. The Regulations further amend Schedules 1, 5, and 7 by substituting new pay rates for various ranks and training capacities, effective from specified dates. The Regulations impose obligations on Defence Force Reserve members to accurately report their ranks, service periods, and training status to ensure they receive the correct financial entitlements. Members must comply with the transitional provisions that dictate specific pay rates for certain periods. The Regulations also impose administrative responsibilities on the Defence Force authorities to correctly apply these provisions and ensure that members are compensated appropriately based on their rank and service period. Failure to comply with these Regulations may result in members not receiving the correct financial entitlements, potentially leading to disputes and claims for back pay. While the Regulations do not explicitly outline specific penalties for non-compliance, breaches could lead to legal actions under the general principles of administrative law or contract law, particularly if members suffer financial loss due to incorrect payments. The primary consequence for non-compliance would likely be the need to rectify the financial entitlements retrospectively, ensuring that all members receive the appropriate compensation as stipulated by these Regulations.

Area of Law: Military Law
Instrument: Regulation
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Repeal & Amendment; Transitional Provisions; Pay Rates; Amendments

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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