The Chief of the Defence Force is the rehabilitation authority for all serving members, including Permanent Force members, Reservists on continuous full-time service (CFTS) and Reservists not on CFTS which includes part-time, inactive and standby Reservists. This applies to ADF members regardless of whether they are covered under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) or the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA).
For further information about specific service categories and service options, refer to the ADF Total Workforce Model [2].
There are two separate Australian Defence Force (ADF) rehabilitation programs, the ADF Rehabilitation Program and the Rehabilitation for Reservists Program. These programs have been developed to assist ADF members to return to a state of service readiness as soon as is practicable after injury or illness, through the provision of occupational rehabilitation services. For detailed information about these programs, refer to section 4.1.1 [3] of this guide.
ADF Rehabilitation Program (ADRFP) | Rehabilitation for Reservists Program (R4R) |
Provides rehabilitation services to:
irrespective of whether a member's injury or illness is related to work. | Provides rehabilitation services and early intervention treatment to:
for service related injuries only. |
Members of the Cadets, including Cadet Instructors, Officers of Cadets and School Cadets, are provided with treatment and rehabilitation coverage under the MRCA for periods of instruction, training, performance of duty, and travel to and from places of approved activity. They are not eligible for treatment or rehabilitation assistance through the ADF rehabilitation programs.
The principles of the ADF Rehabilitation Programs are:
The key components of ADFRP and R4R Programs are:
The three goals of ADF rehabilitation are, in priority order:
Fit for duty in the pre-condition work environment. This relates to deployability as well as day-to-day tasking. It means that, as a result of a Rehabilitation Program, it is likely that the member will return to their pre-condition level of physical and mental fitness and duties.
Fit for alternative duty in another ADF occupation as MEC* 4 J41 (implies MEC 1 or 2 in new trade/category/muster/corps or service). As a result of a Rehabilitation Program, it is likely the member will be able to remain in the ADF and return to work with different duties and/or in a different location and/or in a different Service.
The member is unable to perform any duties within the ADF as a result of the injury or illness. The member will be transitioned out of the ADF for medical reasons (i.e. MEC* 4 or 5 and therefore medical discharge).
Rehabilitation goals may change during the Rehabilitation Program process depending on the member's condition or circumstances.
*Refer to section 4.1.3 [5] for further information about the Medical Employment Classification (MEC) system.
The ADF may undertake a rehabilitation assessment in any of the following circumstances:
The table below provides broad definitions of the five categories within the Medical Employment Classification (MEC) system.
The MEC is determined according to each member's primary military occupation. The assessment takes into account the environment in which the person is expected to perform when deployed, as well as any additional tasks which a member could be expected to perform as part of their general military duties. The MEC is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that it is appropriate for the person's current circumstances.
The categories according to the Defence Instructions General (DIG) Pers 16-15
Category | Definition |
---|---|
MEC 1 | Fully Employable and Deployable Sub-classifications J11 — Fully Employable and Deployable J12 — Fully Employable and Deployable with an Identified Requirement for Limited Materiel Re-supply |
MEC 2 | Employable and Deployable with Restrictions Sub-classifications - Joint J21 Restricted Deployment – Defined Limitations J22 Restricted Deployment – Defined Limitations and/or Required Materiel Support J23 — Restricted Deployment – Defined Limitations and/or Required Materiel Support and/or access top Health Support up to Medical Officer Support – reviewed at Unit Medical Employment Classification review (UMECR) at least every two years J29 — Limited Deployment – MECRB assigned only – Defined Limitations and/or Required Material Support and Defined Access to Role 2E Health Service
Sub-classifications – Maritime M24 — Maritime Environment – Defined Limitations and/or Required Materiel support and/or access to Health Support – minimum of Advanced Medical Assistant or Nursing Officer support M25 — Maritime Environment – Defined limitations and/or Required Materiel Support and/or Access to Health Support – minimum of Clinical Manager M26 — Maritime Environment – Defined Limitations and/or Required Materiel Support and/or Access to Health Support – minimum Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant or Medical Officer Support (Fleet Medical endorsed only)
Sub-classifications - Land L27 — Land Environment – Restricted Deployment – MECRB assigned only capable of performing limited offensive and full combat defence duties L28 — Land Environment – Limited Deployment – MECRB assigned only – capable of performing combat defensive duties only |
MEC 3 | Rehabilitation Sub-classifications J31 — Rehabilitation – defined period up to 12 months J32 — Extended Rehabilitation – MECRB assigned only – defined period up to 24 months J33 — Pregnancy – defined period of up to 24 months J34 — Temporarily non-effective – defined period between 28 days and four months |
MEC 4 | Employment Transition Sub-classifications J40 — Holding temporary – Confirmation and allocation of suitable MEC classification pending MECRB determination J41 — Alternate Employment – MECRB assigned only J42 — Employment at Service Discretion – MECRB assigned only – duration up to five years at any one time J43 — Extended Transition – MECRB assigned only – Duration up to three years to support transition from the ADF J44 — Extended Non-effective – MECRB assigned only – Not fit for work for a defined period between four and 12 months |
MEC 5 | Separation Sub-classifications J51 — Not Employable on Medical Grounds – Medically unfit and not employable other than within applicable restrictions in the period leading up to termination J52 — Not Employable on Medical Grounds – Non-effective and unable to be employed in the period leading up to termination |
The following diagram illustrates the ADFRP Rehabilitation Case Management Pathway for serving members. Note: the diagram has been made available below as an image and in plain text.
Main Heading: ADFRP Rehabilitation Case Management Pathway
Starting point: Injury or Disease Occurs
PATHWAY 1: Member seeks treatment from ADF treating Medical Officer (MO) or displays behaviours which indicate treatment may be required
Step 1 (a): Rehabilitation Assessment triggered by or when a:
Step 1 (b): Rehabilitation assessment is undertaken:
Step 1 (c): Rehabilitation Program developed and implemented around one of three possible goals
Step 1 (d): Rehabilitation Program Closed
PATHWAY 2: Member Submits Compensation Claim to DVA, following MO/CO recommendations
Step 2 (a): Needs Assessment undertaken by MRCC Delegate - ADFRP provided with notification of identified rehabilitation needs
Step 2 (b): Member’s claim determined by MRCC Delegate - Member and ADF Health Services provided with notification of decision
Step 2 (c): Pathway may then lead to either of the previous steps 1 (a) or 1 (c)
PATHWAY 3: Member seeks treatment independently of the ADF health system
Links
[1] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21276%23comment-form
[2] http://www.defence.gov.au/ADF-TotalWorkforceModel/ServiceSpectrum.asp
[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/4-adf-rehabilitation-programs/41-overview-adf-rehabilitation-programs/411-adf-rehabilitation-framework
[4] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21265%23comment-form
[5] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/4-adf-rehabilitation-programs/41-overview-adf-rehabilitation-programs/413-adf-medical-employment-classification-system
[6] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21266%23comment-form
[7] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/4-adf-rehabilitation-programs/42-interaction-between-adf-rehabilitation-programs-and-dva/421-rehabilitation-referrals-adf-rehabilitation-programs
[8] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21275%23comment-form