From the jubilant buzz of anticipation to the palpable sense of relief, if you’re a Defence family, you know the difference between a ‘good’ posting… and one that makes you question your life choices.

For Defence families, a dream posting is not merely a change of scenery; it represents a unique opportunity to significantly enhance their quality of life.

But here’s the clincher…. What makes a good posting – and when it happens – is a different experience for every family.

Whether it’s proximity to reputable schools, a supportive community network, an exciting new job opportunity, or the allure of new adventures awaiting, when families receive a posting that aligns with their desires and needs at the time, it can make all the difference.

Here’s a tongue-in-cheek checklist to determine whether you’ve hit the posting jackpot…or drawn the short straw.

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1. The Defence Housing Lotto

Defence housing can be a real mixed bag. Some are of the standard-issue, no-frills variety, while others come with surprise perks that make you feel like you’ve won the lottery. If you’ve landed a house with stone benchtops, a generous walk-in pantry, a spare room or two, a spacious backyard, or – dare we dream – a pool, then you’re in rare company.

Enjoy it while you can, because the next posting could bring you right back to playing Tetris with your furniture and knowing exactly where your neighbour’s toilet is because it’s a mirror of your house.

2. You’re Given a Second Chance

There’s something magical about returning to a previous posting and finding all your favourite spots still on point.

If your favourite coffee shops or cafes, hairdresser, and go-to op shops are still as good as you remember, you’re living the dream. Bonus points if you still have good mates, or a good friendship group, still in the same location!

3. The Little Life Admin Wins

A truly great posting comes with some unexpected perks. If you actually know someone who can witness legal forms, you’ve hit a milestone.

If you can list a real friend as an emergency child care or school contact, you’re thriving.

And if you’re in a location long enough to have someone verify your passport photo? That’s elite level posting success. chef’s kiss!

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Military life often means frequent relocations, and it’s not uncommon for some boxes to remain untouched, waiting for the next move.

But when you’ve fully settled in – finding a place for everything, hanging up pictures, and finally feeling at home – it is a rare and satisfying achievement. It means you’ve had enough time to put down roots, enjoy the community, and truly make the house your own before packing up and starting the process all over again.

4. You Make It Through a Whole Posting Without a Weather-Related Crisis

Some postings come with their own built-in ‘fun’ like cyclones, floods, or bushfires. If you’ve found yourself in a place where your emergency kit stays packed away the whole time, take a moment to appreciate that luxury.

5. Your Fur and Plant Babies Get to Come Too

A true win in the posting lottery is when you can bring your pets and precious plants along without breaking biosecurity rules. Most Australians know there are rules about what can and can’t be brought back into the country, but fewer realise similar restrictions exist for moving between states.

Certain plants, including fruit trees and vegetables, but also household potted plants, may be restricted, and some pet animals require permits. If your furry friend and your thriving monstera collection can make the move with minimal red tape, you’ve definitely landed on your feet.

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6. Your Commute is Under an Hour

A good posting means you can get to work without feeling like you need to pack a suitcase. If your drive is short enough that you don’t finish an entire podcast episode, that’s a win. If you can bike or even walk – well, now you’re just showing off.

In the military, time apart is often the norm, with deployments, training, and sometimes even living separately making it difficult to be there for special moments.

So, when a posting allows you to be home, lighting candles on a cake, giving real hugs instead of virtual ones, and making memories together, it’s something truly special. It’s a rare gift that reminds you just how much these moments matter.

7. You Can Get Door-To-Door Food Delivery

A true sign of a quality posting: you don’t have to eat at the same takeaway joint every Friday night. If you’ve got choices beyond the one fish and chip shop or a sketchy pizza place, you’re living the dream.

Extra points if you live in a place that offers door-to-door food delivery services and the like – we hope your time will come soon, remote and regional friends!

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8. You’ve Got Free babysitters Family Nearby

Another telltale sign of a really good posting? Having family close by – also known as having free babysitters on standby. Defence parents who luck out with a posting near willing and able grandparents, aunties, uncles, or friends that feel like family, know the joy of a spontaneous date night, a kid-free grocery run, or even just the luxury of drinking a hot coffee without someone yelling “Mum!” every five seconds.

No need to fork out a small fortune for a babysitter or trade favours with another Defence family in the same boat. If you can drop the kids off at Nana’s for the weekend without needing to file a movement plan, you’re officially living the Defence family life dream!

In a life filled with constant moves, finding a community that truly embraces you is priceless.

When your non-military friends start hoping you’ll stick around a little longer – making plans for future gatherings, school terms, or even just another year of friendship – you know you’ve found somewhere special.

It means you’ve built real connections, ones that make saying goodbye that much harder when the next posting order eventually arrives.

9. It’s a Back-to-Back

Some of us like the adventure of being in a new location. But for the lucky families who have the option of back-to-back postings, there can be some BIG perks. For one, you can ensure continuity of care for any health concerns, the kids can maintain education and friendships and you don’t have to try to find a new job or convince your boss to let you go remote. Yes, please!

If you’ve managed to stay put long enough to feel like a local, consider yourself one of the lucky ones.

10. Your Kids Start and Finish School in the One Location

For Defence families, scoring a posting where the kids can actually start and finish school in the same location is like hitting the jackpot – it’s the unicorn of military family life. It means no scrambling to decipher yet another state’s curriculum, no awkward ‘new kid’ introductions every other year, and no tearful goodbyes to best mates left behind.

Instead, these lucky few get to experience school stability, where friendships last longer than a posting cycle and teachers actually remember your kid’s name past Term 2. If your child graduates high school in the same town where they started kindergarten, congratulations – you’re as rare as they come.

11. When You Get to Catch Up with People You’ve Only Ever Met Online

Another surefire sign of a top-tier posting? Finally getting to meet those Defence mates you’ve only ever known through Facebook groups, online chats, or the occasional late-night rant about removals. Defence communities are often built online first, with friendships forming over shared experiences, advice on posting hacks, and mutual sympathy for the chaos of military life.

When a posting actually puts you in the same town as these legends, it’s like an IRL reunion of people who totally get it – no explanations needed. Bonus points if you can finally have that long-promised coffee catch-up without one of you getting posted again before it happens!

12. You’ve Got Lots to Explore

Defence families often find themselves in diverse regions. Each posting presents a chance to engage with different communities, broaden horizons, and create lasting memories. A good posting means you’ve got things to do on weekends. The excitement of new adventures can invigorate family life, fostering closeness and shared experiences that strengthen family bonds.

If you have a picturesque beach, amazing bushwalk, or even a halfway decent shopping centre within a reasonable distance, you’re on to a winner.

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Embrace the Adventure

While not all postings are created equal, any posting is a good posting if you’re able to view it as an adventure. While military life brings its challenges, embracing each move with a positive mindset can help Defence families thrive.

Social Connectivity has been proven as an important part of a person’s overall wellbeing. No matter where the posting wheel lands, you can make the most of it by engaging in local events, joining clubs, or volunteering to foster connections and a sense of belonging.

Remember there are support services available to your family, including through the local Defence Member and Family Support area offices, Defence-funded community groups, and Ex-Service Organisations who also support families of current serving members.

Taking the opportunity to explore the area, whether it’s through hiking, visiting historical sites, or discovering local favourites, can enrich the experience and create lasting memories. By staying open to new opportunities and building strong community ties, each posting becomes more than just a location—it’s a chapter filled with growth, connection, and adventure.

So, how does your posting stack up? Are you living the Defence family dream, or are you just waiting for your next set of orders? Either way, at least we all get to do this adventure together!

*Thanks to the wonderful Defence families who contributed to this blog.

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