Breaks in service and rejoining the ADF
A break in service from the ADF may impact on the eligibility and entitlement to DHOAS for both Permanent and Reserve members, depending on the length of your break.
Reservists particularly need to be alert to periods of time where they have not completed effective Reserve service. You may be deemed to be seperated from the ADF which could impact on your eligibility and entitlement for DHOAS. Further details are provided below.
Qualifying period
To be eligible for DHOAS after you rejoin the ADF, during your pre-break service you would need to have completed the required qualifying period of four consecutive years of service for Permanent members or eight consecutive, effective years of service for Reservists (see Eligibility and Entitlement).
If you did not complete this qualifying period before separating from the ADF, even if you re-enlisted within 12 months, you would need to restart your qualifying period of service from the date you rejoined. That is, your DHOAS qualifying period of four consecutive years (Permanent) or eight consecutive, effective years (Reservists) will start from the date that you re-enlisted in the ADF.
If you are in the Permanent Force, you can take leave without pay of up to 12 months without affecting the continuity of your service for the purpose of the DHOAS qualifying period.
Entitlement
If you did complete your qualifying period before separating, your eligibility and entitlement to DHOAS may not be affected, depending on the length of your break in service.
* If you returned as a Permanent member after a break of up to five years, your previous service will count towards DHOAS eligibility and entitlement. This means your total years of service in the ADF will count towards your four year qualifying period of service as well as accrued entitlement to DHOAS.
* If you returned as a Reservist after a break of up to two years, all your previous service will also count towards your qualifying period and accrued entitlement to DHOAS.
* If you returned as a Reservist after a break of two years or more, but less than five years, your previous service will count towards your DHOAS qualifying period and tier level, but not towards your accrued entitlement period. This means you will not have to restart the eight year qualifying period, and all of your effective years of service will count towards your eligible tier level. However, your service prior to the break will not count towards your accrued entitlement period. The period of time that you're entitled to DHOAS will be based on the years of effective service you have completed since rejoining the ADF.
* If you returned to the ADF after a break of five or more years, either as a Permanent or Reserve member, your previous service will not count towards either eligibility or entitlement. You will need to serve the qualifying period again (of four years for a Permanent member or eight years for a Reservist), and then complete enough service to accrue entitlement to the DHOAS. Permanent members can accrue a minimum Service Credit after one month of service and Reservists can gain a minimum Service Credit after one financial year of effective Reserve service.
War Service
Warlike service completed prior to a break of any length will be recognised for the purpose of the DHOAS warlike service bonus, which contributes to your accrued entitlement.
Other Breaks
For breaks in service (after your qualifying period) that are shorter than those listed above, you will pause your accrual of DHOAS entitlement while you're away.
For example, if you take a break of six months, you will not accrue entitlement to DHOAS during that time. It will resume once you return.
If you separate from the ADF and you're currently receiving a DHOAS subsidy, you can continue to receive the subsidy payments until you have depleted your accrued entitlement.
If you take any breaks in service during the qualifying period, you will need to restart your qualifying period from when you reenlisted.
Effective Reserve Service and Separation
Please note: If you are a Reservist and you do not complete effective Reserve service within a financial year you will be deemed to be discharged for the purpose of DHOAS. "Effective" Reserve service is defined as at least 20 days of active Reserve service within a financial year.
For the purpose of DHOAS, this requirement to complete at least 20 days of active service or be deemed to be discharged applies to all Reservists, whether you are in the Standby, High Readiness or any other Reserve-type service.
If you do not complete a year of effective service, this could impact on your DHOAS eligibility and entitlement, and if you haven't completed your qualifying period you may need to restart it. See details above about breaks in service.
If you are in receipt of a DHOAS subsidy and then reapply for a new DHOAS Subsidy Certificate after an extended break in effective Reserve service, you need to be aware that the rejoining provisions may impact on your entitlement. This could result in you dropping to a lower Subsidy Tier level, or shorten the length of your entitlement.
You may need to determine if it is better in your circumstance to continue receiving your current DHOAS subsidy (on your existing eligible DHOAS home loan) than it is to reapply, and possibly impact on your future entitlement.
You are advised to contact DHOAS before making any significant changes to your DHOAS subsidy arrangements.