ADF Reserves and Employer Support

The Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 protects reservists undertaking various forms of Defence service. The Act makes it an offence for an employer to discriminate against, disadvantage, hinder, prevent or dismiss an employee or prospective employee for rendering Defence service (including training). The Act also includes employment, partnership, education, financial liability and bankruptcy protection for reservists in relation to their rendering of Defence service. Civil penalties may also apply for contraventions of the Act. The facilitation of the Act is overseen by the Employer Support and Service Protection team, being part of ADF Reserves and Employer Support within Joint Support Services Division

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.   The Employer Support Payment Scheme (ESPS) provides financial assistance to employers of Reserve members and self-employed Reserve members, when the Reserve member is away from their civilian workplace on eligible periods of continuous Defence service. For applicants that employ members in full-time work (38 hours/week), ESPS support payments are paid the average weekly wage:

The FY 2024-25 average weekly wage is $1,888.80.

The FY 2025-26 average weekly wage is $1,975.80.

For eligible applicants that employ members in part-time work, including regular casual work, ESPS support payments are made at a pro-rata rate Casual work is not eligible for the Scheme. For applicants that employ medical, dental, nursing or allied health officers: The Chief of Defence Force ESPS (Health) Approval 2023 modifies some of the standard eligibility requirements of the legislative instrument and provides for higher level ESPS support payments for eligible applicants. For more information about this, please click here. Higher level ESPS support payment rates are:

For FY 2024-25, please click here

For FY 2025-26, please click here

  ESPS support payments are made to an applicant for the benefit of an applicant and there is no restriction on how an applicant might use the payment. Members are responsible for ensuring their civilian employers are aware of the Scheme.

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Find Out More

Brochure | The Employer Support Payment Scheme

Australian Defence Force (ADF) reservists are highly trained personnel who bring self-discipline, focus, leadership, and world-class training to any workplace or role. Reservists develop skills and experience through formal Defence courses, ongoing training, and on the job as they put their skills into practice. All reservists are trained to:

be highly effective communicators

display initiative

be self-motivated and goal-oriented

manage time and resources effectively

be self-disciplined and self-reliant

operate effectively in a team

manage confidently

be leaders

Reservists may also receive nationally recognised qualifications as part of their training. Available training includes (but is not limited to) qualifications in:

advanced communications using computer, radio and satellite technology

project management

contract management

performance management

workplace health and safety

first aid

driving and operating vehicles and heavy machinery