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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.
Since 1 July 2023, the ESPS operates under a new legislative instrument and significant changes have come into effect. These changes include, but are not limited to:
The annual two week Qualifying Period (QP) has been abolished, and
Reasonable limits for ESPS support payments have been set.
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 defence service starting on or after 1 July 2023.
The former Chief of Defence Capability Employer Support Payment Approval (dated 3 April 2020) remains in effect for defence service starting before 1 July 2023.
For further information about what’s changed, including eligibility requirements for defence service that commenced prior to 1 July 2023, please click here.
For applicants that employ members in full-time work (38 hours/week), ESPS support payments are paid the average weekly wage:
The FY 2022-23 average weekly wage is $1,748.40.
The FY 2023-24 average weekly wage is $1,807.70.
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, ESPS support payment rates are:
For FY 2022-23, please click here
For FY 2023-24, 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.
Submit Application
Find Out More
Brochure | The Employer Support Payment Scheme