Volunteering for Defence Families of Australia
DFA relies on the generosity of Defence spouses to offer their time to support the Defence community through DFA. Volunteering for DFA is a valuable and rewarding experience and makes a huge difference to improving the conditions of our unique lifestyle and our Defence community in turn.
Mobility means that DFA has a regular turnover of volunteers as families post in and out of locations. Living the lifestyle, spouses are well placed to represent other families from all over Australia.
We welcome applications from all spouses in our Defence community, and encourage you to volunteer to gain invaluable experience in this Ministerially appointed role, which brings you to Canberra twice a year for training & the DFA National Conference where you have an opportunity to represent your family.
Read more about the origins of DFA by clicking here
Positions Currently Vacant
National Delegate for Victoria and Tasmania
National Delegate for ACT and Southern NSW
National Delegate for Western Australia
National Delegates act as official representatives and spokespersons for Defence Families of Australia. They are appointed by the Minister for Defence Personnel for a two year term. There are three positions coming vacant at the end of 2010 and DFA welcomes Defence partners to apply.
If you would like to consider becoming a National Delegate please read the description below along with the selection criteria and duty statement for this unique role.
In addition to these duties, the National Delegate for the ACT and Southern NSW also acts as the Deputy Convenor and attends meetings when the National Convenor is unable to attend so they must reside in the Canberra area.
If you are still interested in applying after reviewing the National Delegate duty statement please address the selection criteria, attach an updated resume and email them to National Covenor Julie Blackburn at convenor@dfa.org.au.
National Delegates (ND)
National Delegates are selected by the Convenor and members of the National Executive, and appointed by the Minister responsible for Defence Personnel. We have nine National Delegates in regions across Australia.
Read about the partners who currently volunteer on Our Executive
National Delegates are partners of current full time serving members of the Australian Defence Force; have prior involvement with the DFA and/or knowledge, empathy and understanding of Defence families. Delegates liaise with local DFA members, Base Commanders, Managers and staff of DHA, DCO, Toll Transitions and Defence.
National Delegates develop and maintain excellent working relationships with Regional Managers of DHA, DCO, Defence support services, Toll Transitions, Commanding Officers/Units in each region. They attend consortium or stakeholder meetings at least once a quarter.
They also hold regional meetings before and after the DFA Annual Conference, prepare submissions on current issues as required; and provide feedback to the Convenor on local and national issues.
Senior Representatives (SR)
DFA tries to have a Senior Representatives on all bases in Australia. Senior Representatives are partners of current full time serving members of the Australian Defence Force. They are selected by the National Delegate and the National Convenor.
Senior representatives are in regular contact with DFA Family Network Members. They provide feedback to the National Delegate and Convenor on local issues and concerns that families have raised ensuring confidentiality and privacy of individual families. They advise families on the processes for making formal complaints, keep families informed of DFA activities, refer families to the appropriate person within the Defence organisation and attend regional meetings with the National Delegate. Senior Representatives in Very Remote Localities may also need to attend an annual workshop in Darwin to specifically discuss very remote localities and their effect on families.
For more information on becoming a Senior Representative see the Selection Criteria and Duties from our Operating Guidelines.
Click here to download DFA Senior Representative Duties 07 PDF
Project work
There may be some scope to help DFA using your specific skills. This could involve developing and implementing short projects which could help DFA or families on a particular issue or program. For example if you have a strong background in education and policy, you may offer to volunteer your input in the preparation of a DFA submission on consistency to a national curriculum. You may be a professional trainer and could offer to volunteer to train other DFA volunteers in certain skills.
DFA Family Network Members
When you register on our website you automatically become a DFA Family Network Member. Members can contribute to policy discussion relating to families at any time by leaving feedback on our website or by discussing issues with your National Delegate or our National Convenor. By becoming a Family Network Member and leaving your feedback DFA is better able to represent the diverse and challenges facing a modern Australian Defence Force Family. Register now or Contact Us
If you are interested in volunteering for DFA in your area, please contact your local National Delegate or email convenor@dfa.org.au