Absent from Home Overview

Spending time apart from a serving member due to deployments or training, is one of the characteristics of the Defence lifestyle. Defence offers a range of services and initiatives to help members and their families effectively deal with these periods of separation, and to understand some of the feelings they may experience at these times. 

Members need to know that their families are well cared for and that life at home is running smoothly while they are away. The best way to achieve this is by planning ahead about family requirements during periods of separation.

The member’s own Unit, the Defence Community Organisation, ADF Chaplains and the National Welfare Coordination Centre (NWCC) all have a role to play in supporting families to meet the challenges of deployment.

Family Care Plan

The completion of a Member and Family Care Plan (PDF, 14k) and a National Welfare and Coordination Centre Family Registration form (PDF, 26k); will also assist in planning for deployment.

Defence Community Organisation DCO launched a new booklet in February 2012 on Deployment Support. You can download one here. To request regular telephone contact or recieve email newsletters or gain specific information, such as answering questions about children or mental health, call the DCO Helpline 24 hours 7 days a week on 1800 624 608 or email DefenceFamilyHelpline@defence.gov.au for a response within 24 hours.