Charter

Charter of Defence Families of Australia

Defence Families of Australia (DFA) is the ministerially appointed non statutory, non-corporate advisory body for Defence and Government on matters pertaining to Australian Defence Force (ADF) families.

DFA provides a forum for families to raise matters, and assists families in accessing the Defence information they need. To do this, DFA perform the following tasks:

1. PROVIDE ADVICE TO THE MINISTER AND CDF

Provide advice to the Minister responsible for Defence Personnel, the Chief of the Defence Force and the relevant arms of the Australian Defence Organisation and stakeholders, on matters affecting ADF members and their families, in order to inform policy development and decision-making.

2. INFORM AND COLLABORATE WITH EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

Provide timely information sharing and strengthen relationships with external stakeholders including local and state government, to progress positive family outcomes and to enhance the overall wellbeing of ADF families.

3. PROVIDE A RECOGNISED FORUM FOR DEFENCE FAMILIES

To provide a forum through which ADF members and their families can raise issues affecting them; to assist families in contacting the appropriate persons or bodies on an issue; and to advocate on behalf of ADF families in order to advance outcomes for better collective impact that are beneficial to both the Defence family and the ADF.

4. INFORM DEFENCE FAMILIES

To assist the families of ADF members who seek its help by supporting them to obtain information on the benefits and assistance available to them from Defence, their rights and responsibilities and the Defence policies that affect them. This may include DFA assisting Defence and other relevant stakeholders in their efforts to inform all families of these benefits, assistance, rights and responsibilities, policies, and any changes to them and in a community centric and trauma informed way.