Address Line 1

Address Line 2

Address Line 3

Date

Dear

I refer to your application for Tier classification as an F-111 deseal/reseal program participant or F-111 fuel tank entry maintenance worker.

Thank you for the evidence you provided to support your application. The details of your service and information you provided have been carefully considered and we find that your duties satisfy the definition for Tier 1 classification.

You have met the definition for Tier 1 classification because (PROVIDE REASONS FOR DECISION eg you meet the requirements of category 1 of Tier 1, being a person who spent at least 30 cumulative working days on the fuselage deseal/reseal or respray programs during the period 1977–1982, 1991–1993 and 1996–2000, whose duties involved working inside F-111 fuel tanks).

With Tier 1 classification, you are now eligible for a $40,000 lump sum payment under the ex?gratia scheme. A DVA staff member will contact you to confirm your bank account details and, once confirmed, the ex gratia payment will be deposited into your nominated bank account (normally within 30 days of this letter).

While the ex-gratia payment is tax free, if you receive DVA or Centrelink pension/s, the ex gratia payment  will be assessed according to Commonwealth Government income and assets tests rules; as such, you will be required to tell DVA or Centrelink what you do with the payment.

Now that you have been granted a Tier 1 classification, you have access to the beneficial provisions of subsection 7(2) of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRCA). This provision allows you to access compensation for any of 31 conditions (which are detailed at the end of this letter), without the need to establish a link to your service. If you have had a claim for compensation for any of these conditions rejected under the SRCA, your claim will be reactivated and a member of the F-111 Compensation Team will contact you shortly.

If you have not previously submitted a claim, and you suffer from any of these conditions, please contact F-111 team on 1800 555 323 to discuss submitting a claim.

Your Tier 1 classification also allows you to access counselling and interim health care treatment for specified conditions through the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme. Additionally, Tier 1 classification provides eligibility to access the Better Health Program, for cancer

screening and disease prevention.  Please call the health care team on 1800 728 007 if you have any questions, or you would like to access these services.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of this reconsideration, and your allocation of Tier 1 classification, you can apply to the Commonwealth Ombudsman on 1300 362 072, to examine your case. The Ombudsman can only consider how the decision was reached - the decision-making process undertaken and the information considered by DVA. The Ombudsman cannot review the decision itself.

We are also obligated to mention to you the Freedom of Information Act 1982, where you can have access to your personal files or any other non-exempt documents, if you have concerns with your case. You may also inspect the manuals, guidelines, rules and instructions which may be used by officers in making decisions relating to members of the public. For further details contact DVA on 1800 555 254 for the Freedom of Information Section.

If you have any other queries or concerns about your new Tier 1 classification and associated ex gratia payment, the F-111 team would be happy to take your call on 1800 555 323. You can also access more information on the website at  f111.dva.gov.au

Yours sincerely

F-111 Tier Classification Team

For and on behalf of

The Hon Warren Snowdon MP

Minister for Veterans' Affairs

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel

The following are the 31 conditions for which compensation can be claimed under the beneficial provisions of subsection 7(2) of the SRCA