In each of the conflicts in which Australia has been involved, certain civilians who served with and provided support for the defence force [2] have been deemed to be members of the defence force who served on a continuous full-time [2] basis. This is done to extend repatriation benefits to these civilians. Such determinations are made under s5R [3] of the VEA.
The persons listed below are to be treated as full-time members of the defence force during WW2:
In 1991, the Government formally recognised the contribution made by non-uniformed ATSI personnel who assisted the Australian Defence Force [2] in Northern Australia during World War 2. Recognition included the payment of “back pay”, the award of medals by Defence and the extension of Repatriation benefits under the Veterans' Entitlements Act. On 30 March 1992, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs signed a Determination extending eligibility for Repatriation benefits to those concerned by deeming them to be members of the Defence Force who served on a continuous full-time basis.
For a listing of the names of those deemed to be members, see [glossary:Ministerial Determinations:] in the Legislation Library
The following persons who served in an operational area [2] described in Item 1 of Schedule 2 are considered to be full-time members of the defence force:
The following persons who served in an operational area described in Item 2 of Schedule 2 are considered to be full-time members of the defence force:
The following persons who served in an operational area described in Item 3 of Schedule 2 are considered to be full-time members of the defence force:
The following persons who served in an operational area described in Items 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Schedule 2 are considered to be full-time members of the defence force:
The Australian Defence Force includes:
Continuous full-time service in relation to a member of the Defence Force means that a person must have served on a continuous full-time basis, as opposed to a part-time basis.
A period of continuous full-time service is required by a member of the Defence Force if they are to be considered as having eligible war service, operational service or defence service and access to the benefits associated with those forms of service.
Camoufleurs are employees of the Department of Home Security, attached to the RAAF during World War 2. Their job was to disguise aeroplanes and other equipment to avoid their detection by the enemy.
Official war correspondents were employed by the Department of Information. They were attached to various units to report on the war.
The Australian Defence Force includes:
An operational area is an area specified in Column 1 for the period specified in Column 2 of Schedule 2 of the VEA [4] to which a unit or individual have been allotted or deemed allotted for duty.
Links
[1] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16713%23comment-form
[2] https://clik.dva.gov.au/%23
[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/service-eligibility-assistant-updates/all-determinations-order-date-signed-oldest-most-recent/determinations-under-vea
[4] http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/C2004A03268