1. There are a number of ways to be classified as a member with dependants (unaccompanied).

   Classification

   Item	If...	the rules are in...
   1.	the member is posted away from their dependants for six months or more	subsection 2.
   2.	the member is on short-term duty away from their posting location	subsection 3.
   3.	the member and their member spouse are posted apart	subsections 4 and 5.
   4.	there are Service or compassionate reasons that prevent a member from meeting the rules in subsections 2 or 3	subsection 6.
   5.	the dependants move to a personal location for which removal benefits are not provided	subsection 7.

Non-Example: A member has part-time care of a child, for fewer than 90 nights in a year. The child is not taken to be a dependant of the member for conditions of service purposes. The member stays categorised as a member without dependants in any period when the child is in the member's care.

Example: A member with dependants goes to a new location on temporary duty to support a contractor for a four-month contract. The member is automatically categorised as a member with dependants (unaccompanied). At the end of the four months the contract is varied. It will run for four more months. The member is required to stay another four months but is not formally posted to the location. The member is recognised as a member with dependants (unaccompanied) for the extra period. Even though the total period is longer than six months, the two periods are separate periods of duty. The member can be categorised under subsection 3 for both periods.

Example: A member is loan posted from Rockingham, where her family live, to a seagoing ship in Sydney for less than six months. The member is automatically categorised as member with dependants (unaccompanied).

Example: A couple have already been recognised as members with dependants. They are posted apart and are unable to form a common household. The CDF decides that it is reasonable to recognise one of the couple as a member with dependants (unaccompanied).

Example: The member ceases duty for a long period of leave during which the member could reunite with their dependants.

Note: The member could seek to have the decision redressed if the member does not agree.

Example: The member lodges a new form each time their posting location changes, even though their dependants may not move house.

Non-Example: The member is not required to lodge a form when their posting at a location is extended and they do not move house or job.