15.5.1 Simplified outline of this Part
This Part provides the health costs that may be covered by Defence for a person approved to live with a member on a long-term posting overseas. This Part sets out who can receive health costs during an overseas posting (see section 15.5.3). A person who is in the posting location on using a reunion travel benefit may be eligible for specific health costs in limited circumstances (see section 15.5.3 and 15.5.5). The Part also provides how costs can be claimed (see Division 2).
Health costs include costs for medical goods and services (see Division 4), hospital costs (see Division 5), dental treatment (see Division 7), pharmaceutical products (see Division 8), vaccinations and anti-malaria drugs (see section 15.5.23), mental health services (see section 15.5.24) and ambulance and other medical transport (see section 15.5.25). If the person is not eligible for a health cost under Part 5 of Chapter 15, they may be able to claim the cost as an ancillary service (see Division 10).
If a person is pregnant they must seek approval to be eligible for childbirth costs in the posting location (see Division 6). There are various factors that the CDF will consider when deciding whether childbirth costs will be covered in the posting location (see section 15.5.17).
If costs associated with childbirth are not approved in the posting location the pregnant person is eligible for travel benefits to and from Australia (see section 15.5.38). The member and their children may also be eligible for travel benefits to return to Australia to support the birth (see sections 15.5.39 and 15.5.40). The pregnant person will not receive reimbursement under Part 5 of Chapter 15 for any childbirth costs incurred in Australia or a third county.
A person may be eligible for travel costs to another location to receive emergency or non-emergency health care (see Division 11). Travel costs may also be available for a chaperone to accompany the person (see section 15.5.31), or for a child to accompany the person (see section 15.5.30). Travel costs may be approved for a location within the posting country, or another overseas location, including Australia.
Health costs under this Part are applicable to APS employees who are travelling and working overseas on a long-term posting under subclause F6.1 of the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024.
Health costs may also apply to the dependants of APS employees and ADF members, if they are a person under this Part.
ADF members continue to receive health care while on a long-term posting overseas in accordance with the Defence Health Manual.
APS employees and ADF members can discuss questions about overseas health costs with their administrative team at the posting location.
15.5.2 Definitions
‘Specialist services’ are services provided by a specialist doctor, such as a psychiatrist or orthopaedic surgeon.
Services provided by an allied health provider, such as a psychologist or physiotherapist, are not considered a specialist service.
Services provided by an allied health provider are considered an ancillary service under Division 10, unless the person is eligible for the service in Australia under Medicare or another Australian Government funded health program, in which case the cost will be covered as a medical good or service under Division 4.
15.5.3 Person this Part applies to
Defence is not responsible for the management of health care for APS employees or the dependants of ADF members or APS employees. These persons are responsible for coordinating and managing their own health care and referrals while overseas.
APS employees and dependants must be certified as fit to live at the posting location before leaving Australia to be eligible for health benefits under this Part.
15.5.4 Person this Part does not apply to
Health benefits under Part 5 of Chapter 15 are not available for APS employees or ADF members or their dependants for any period the APS employee or ADF member are on leave without pay (LWOP). Once the LWOP has ended, the benefits under this Part will recommence.
15.5.5 Costs not covered by this Part
Persons wishing to participate in adventurous sports and activities, or who wish to undertake private or unofficial travel, are encouraged to purchase appropriate travel insurance. The insurance should cover emergency assistance and medical expenses for any illnesses or injuries sustained as a result of participation in the activity.
If a person is unsure if an illness or injury resulting from participation in an activity will be covered by Defence they should seek guidance before participating in the activity.
Health costs for official travel to and from the posting location are covered under the Defence Travel Outside of Country Policy. This includes reunion travel and travelling to and from the posting location to commence or end the posting.
Travel Insurance
Persons are encouraged to have appropriate travel insurance in place when travelling outside of the posting country for private or unofficial purposes.
The health benefits outlined in Part 5 of Chapter 15 are not available for an illness or injury that has occurred while the person is travelling outside of the posting country.
Travel, such as reunion travel and Assisted Leave Travel (ALT) may be covered by the Defence Travel Outside of Country Policy. Private travel and any periods of annual leave, including for the duration of reunion travel or ALT after arrival in a location outside of the posting country, are not covered by the Defence Travel Outside of Country Policy. Persons are encouraged to ensure they have appropriate travel insurance for this period.
Private health insurance
While there is no Commonwealth requirement for persons on a long-term posting overseas to hold private health insurance, it is recommended that private health coverage is maintained while on posting overseas as it may assist in the event that a person returns to Australia for treatment. Persons should discuss their options with their health fund.
Dependants and APS employees are not eligible for the health costs in Part 5 of Chapter 15 while they are in Australia. Unless they have private health insurance they will only have access to Medicare cover while in Australia.
Exception: A dependant who is also an ADF member receives health cover under the Defence Health Manual while in Australia.