Section 10 of MRCA provides that it can be determined that a part-time Reservist or Cadet can be considered to have been discharged from the relevant service. A delegate of the relevant Service Chief must advise, in writing, that the Reservist or Cadet is unlikely to be able to perform the duties of a part-time Reservist or Cadet in the future as a result of his or her incapacity. This may also be relevant when a Reserve member has been placed on the 'unalloted list''.
Obtaining this information is particularly important for anyone who has discharged from the permanent ADF and transferred to the Reserves, or is a member of the Reserves (whether active or inactive). Receipt of the Declaration from the relevant Service Chief enables the calculation of the first 45 weeks of incapacity to commence, as the advice confirms that the person is taken to be a former member for the purposes of the MRCA. It should be noted that the advice must specify the date (which cannot be retrospective) the person is taken to have ceased for be a member.
Note:
Where a full-time serving member discharges from the permanent forces, and transfers to the Reserves, they are effectively still a serving member. Accordingly we cannot commence counting any periods of incapacity towards the 45 maximum rate weeks.
When it becomes apparent that a part-time Reservist or Cadet has not been formally discharged (or resigned) from the Reserves or Cadets and is no longer capable of continuing service in the ADF, confirmation should be sought from the relevant Defence career management agency via the single access mechanism (SAM) (as per the list below), that the person is unlikely, as a result of their incapacity, to return to Defence service.
ARMY
Director General Personnel – Army
Department of Defence
R1-5-A038
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Director Officer Career Management – Army
Department of Defence
R8-8-020
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Director Soldier Career Management Agency
GPO Box 393D
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
DIRECTOR ARMY PERSONNEL AGENCY (RESERVES)
Located in each state
RAAF
Director General Personnel – Air Force
Department of Defence
R8-9-019
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Director Personnel (Officers) – Air Force
Department of Defence
R8-7-014
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Director Personnel (Airmen) – Air Force
Department of Defence
R8
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Director of Personnel Reserves
Department of Defence
R8-7-048
Russell Officers
CANBERRA ACT 2600
NAVY
Deputy Chief of Navy
Department of Defence
R1-4-C005
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Commander Navy Systems Command
Department of Defence
CP4-7-037
Campbell Park Offices
Northcott Drive
CAMPBELL ACT 2600
Director General Navy Personnel and Training
Department of Defence
R8-1-016
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Director Naval Officers' Postings
Department of Defence
R8-4-005
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Director Sailors' Career Management
Department of Defence
R8-5-042
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600
CADETS - Commanding Officer of the relevant Cadet Unit