Support

The National Welfare Coordination Centre

The National Welfare Coordination Centre (NWCC) provides a 24-hour point of contact and information service for members and for families of personnel deployed on or in support of operations and on designated exercises. It is staffed by Navy, Army and Air Force personnel who can answer your questions or direct your query to the appropriate agency.

All deploying members are required to complete a Family Registration form (PDF, 26k), which is lodged with the NWCC. With the approval of the member, this information is also made available to the DCO. This form provides the names, addresses and telephone numbers of emergency contacts, and details any family circumstances, which Defence should be aware of, and that might affect the support required by the family during the absence of the member. The completion of a Family Registration Form with approval for advice to the DCO will allow the DCO to contact nominated family members to provide them with support and to invite them to any information or support functions being held in their area.

National Welfare Coordination Centre All Hours Telephone Line: 1800 801 026 Email nwcc.australia@defence.gov.au

DCO Services and Support

DCO provides a number of services to  families while members are away from home. These include:

• Details of any support or information groups being held during the deployment period

• Information on how to contact a member

• How to access local support groups

• Access to sources of emergency financial assistance

• Confidential casework and counselling services

• Case management of members seriously ill, injured or killed

• Information on local support groups

• Compassionate Returns to Australia

Member and Family Care Plan

The Member and Family Care Plan is a working plan for the care of loved ones and personal property during separation. It provides  vital information about personal arrangements the family.

The Member and Family Care Plan should ideally be left with a  family member or other trusted person for use in case of an emergency.

Social Support Activities

In addition to the range of social work, family liaison, education liaison and other support services provided, and in conjunction with Units, DCO may also sponsor or support social gatherings amongst families of deployed members.

Emergency Support to Families Scheme

The Emergency Support for Families Scheme (ESFS) has been developed to provide short term assistance to ADF member’s dependents in an emergency situation where the member is away from home for Service reasons.

Service members can be assured that if an emergency occurs in their absence, their dependents will be supported.

For more information visit the ESFS page on the DCO website.

Defence Community Organisation Contact the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 or email DefenceFamilyHelpline@defence.gov.au. DCO launched a booklet on Deployment Support in February 2012. Download the booklet here.