Australian Defence Force (ADF) Firefighter Scheme

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On this page

  1. Background
  2. About the Scheme
  3. Eligibility Criteria
  4. Treatments and Benefits
  5. Health care
  6. List of prescribed conditions (must be diagnosed)
  7. Apply for the scheme
  8. Lodge a claim
  9. Related pages

This page provides information about the ADF Firefighter Scheme.

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Background

The ADF Firefighter Scheme provides health and wellbeing support for Australian Defence Force (ADF) firefighters who participated in fire training at Royal Australian Air Force Base Point Cook between 1 January 1957 and 31 December 1986.

The scheme recognises the risks faced by these ADF firefighters who were potentially exposed to a wide range of hazardous substances during fire suppression training at a time when personal protective equipment was not of the same standard available today. 

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About the Scheme

The scheme makes it easier for eligible participants to claim compensation for 31 specified health conditions, under Presumptive Liability arrangements contained in the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA). 

ADF firefighters who are eligible under the scheme can claim compensation if they are diagnosed with any of those specified conditions, including all cancers, without having to provide evidence that their condition is related to their service.

Other conditions caused by ADF service (beyond the specified 31 conditions) can still be claimed under the broader liability arrangements). All claims will be assessed under the MRCA. 

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Eligibility Criteria

You may eligible if all of the following apply:

  • you were an ADF firefighter, trainee, instructor or other ADF employee
  • you took part in firefighting training at RAAF Base Point Cook Fire Training School
  • your training occurred between 1 January 1957 and 31 December 1986 (inclusive).
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Treatments and Benefits

Eligible ADF firefighters may access any or all of the following benefits under the scheme.

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Health care

Under the scheme, all eligible participants will have access to both:

  • Fully funded screening for colorectal cancer and melanoma, for early detection and prevention
  • individually tailored health and lifestyle advice through the Heart Health Program for 12 months.

The scheme can help you even if you are not sick.

Compensation

If you are diagnosed with any of the 31 specified health conditions listed below, it will be easier for you to claim compensation under the Presumptive Liability arrangements contained in the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).

If you are eligible, and we have previously denied a claim for one of the prescribed conditions, you can re-apply for compensation again under this scheme.

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List of prescribed conditions (must be diagnosed)

The following conditions can be covered under the scheme.

Skin conditions

  1. dysplastic naevus
  2. eczema/dermatitis

Neurological conditions

  1. multiple sclerosis (MS)
  2. Parkinson’s disease
  3. peripheral neuropathy
  4. spinal muscular atrophy
  5. erectile dysfunction
  6. cauda equina syndrome
  7. neurogenic bladder
  8. non-alcoholic toxic encephalopathy
  9. acquired colour vision deficiency

Mental health conditions

  1. depression
  2. sleep disorders with neurogenic basis
  3. bipolar disorder
  4. vertigo
  5. memory loss
  6. anxiety
  7. panic disorders
  8. impaired cognition
  9. agoraphobia with panic disorder

Malignant and myeloproliferative conditions

  1. primary malignant neoplasms
  2. myeloproliferative disorders

Liver conditions

  1. liver disease
  2. pancreatic disease

Gastrointestinal conditions

  1. irritable bowel disorder
  2. ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s disease
  3. diverticular disease
  4. bowel polyps
  5. mixed connective tissue disease

Immunological conditions

  1. systemic lupus erythematosus
  2. sarcoidosis.
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Apply for the scheme

You can apply for the scheme using the application form. Estates, families or representatives may also apply on behalf of scheme participants.

You do not need to be sick to apply. You can still access the cancer screening and healthy lifestyle program under the scheme even if you never claim compensation.

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Lodge a claim

DVA encourages all firefighters and ADF members to lodge claims with the Department for any conditions they believe are related to their service, irrespective of whether or not they qualify under the scheme.

However, there is other support available for ADF firefighters who might not be eligible under the scheme.

Depending on individual service, ADF Firefighters may also have access to:

  • the F-111 Deseal/Reseal scheme for ADF Firefighter service training at RAAF Base Amberley between 1976 and 1994.
  • Presumptive liability arrangements for 20 specified cancers, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
  • Fully funded access to treatment for cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis if you have 3 years’ continuous full-time ADF service between 7 December 1972 and 6 April 1994 or declared warlike or non-warlike service.  
  • Fully funded mental health care treatment for all mental health conditions if you are a current or former member of the ADF, including reservists, with at least one day of continuous full-time service.
  • Health assessments may also be available.  The Defence Asbestos and Hazardous Chemical Exposure Scheme (DAHCES) provides current and former employees of Defence the opportunity to register their exposure if they believe they were exposed to a hazardous chemical during a Defence activity or undertaking.  DAHCES is not a compensation scheme, however, the results of the health assessment may support a compensation claim with DVA.  

Specific information for claims related to ADF Firefighting is available from the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) website, including claiming compensation for conditions which may be related to general activities of ADF Firefighters and chemical exposure.

Please contact us if you have any issues or concerns with lodging a claim as an ADF Firefighter.  If you wish to make a general enquiry about accessing support from us or submitting a claim please complete the short online form or call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).  This will help us connect you to the right team and resolve your enquiry as quickly as possible.
 

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