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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 2023-24 average weekly wage is $1,807.70.
The FY 2024-25 average weekly wage is $1,888.80.
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 2023-24, please click here
For FY 2024-25, 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