Information if you're affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
SHOAMP health care scheme
Last updated:
28 January 2020
An overview of the Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel (SHOAMP) health care scheme.
On this page
- Am I eligible for the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme?
- How do I register for the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme?
- Can I get help filling out my SHOAMP Health Care Scheme registration form?
- What services are available under the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme?
- Conditions covered by the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme
- How does the removal of the cut-off date affect me?
- Where can I get further information?
Am I eligible for the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme?
The SHOAMP Health Care Scheme has two participant categories - Group 1 and Group 2.
Group 1 participants:
- Personnel involved in the F-111 deseal/reseal training conducted in Sacramento, USA;
- Personnel, including supervisors, involved in the formal F-111 deseal/reseal programs;
- Personnel involved in the regular burning or disposal of F-111 deseal/reseal products;
- Personnel involved in ad hoc ‘pick and patch’ fuel tank maintenance on F-111 aircraft prior to January 2000;
- Personnel involved in other maintenance or directly related tasks prior to January 2000 where their work required physical entry to an F-111 fuel tank to conduct that maintenance or task;
- Personnel who dismantled and/or disposed of the canvas from the Air Transportable Deseal/Reseal Hangar (the ‘Rag Hangar’);
- Personnel whose primary place of duty was within the deseal/reseal hangars or the Air Transportable Deseal/Reseal Hangar (the ‘Rag Hangar’) at Amberley during one or more of the formal deseal/reseal programs;
- Personnel employed in Engine Test Cell No 1 during the period 1976 – 1986;
- Fuel farm workers and personnel involved in the transport, delivery and handling of F-111 deseal/reseal products including SR51/51A. These workers and personnel must have regularly performed duties of supply and disposal of F-111 deseal/reseal products;
- Personnel immersed in the Warrill Creek Settling Pond at RAAF Base Amberley; and
- Work Experience students at Hawker de Havilland who worked inside the tanks.
Group 2 participants:
- Immediate family members of a SHOAMP Health Care Scheme Group 1 participant; and
- Service persons or civilian employees who are not covered by the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme Group 1 definition, but who were employed at RAAF Base Amberley during the F-111 deseal/reseal programs (the 1st and 2nd deseal/reseal programs 1977-82 and 1991-93; the spray seal program 1996-99; and the wings deseal/reseal program 1985-92).
How do I register for the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme?
Before you can register for the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme, you must first apply for a Tier classification.
After your Tier application is determined, you will receive a letter informing you whether you are eligible for the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme. If you are eligible, a SHOAMP Health Care Scheme registration form will be sent to you. Alternatively, you can print the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme registration form, below:
If you would like a registration form sent to you, please contact the DVA general enquiries:
- Freecall: 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)
- Email: generalenquiries [at] dva.gov.au
Can I get help filling out my SHOAMP Health Care Scheme registration form?
The DVA F-111 team is available to assist both current and former Air Force personnel in their application for Tier classification, the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme and applications for benefits under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) .
Please contact the DVA general enquiries:
- Freecall: 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)
- Email: generalenquiries [at] dva.gov.au
What services are available under the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme?
Group 1 participants can receive the following services under the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme (SHCS):
- medical treatment for a range of conditions while your claim for compensation is being investigated and determined;
- medical treatment for a range of conditions where compensation has been denied. If your compensation claim is rejected, treatment costs may continue to be covered under the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme, unless it has been determined that:
- no medical condition was found during the claims investigations process; or
- your condition does not incapacitate you; or
- you have withdrawn your claim for compensation.
- counselling through Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling;
- participation in Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling coordinated programs, including the Lifestyle Management Course and Heart Health;
- eligibility to participate in the Better Health Program – a cancer screening and disease prevention program; and
- approved travel to attend medical consultations and counselling sessions and healthy lifestyle programs through Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling.
Group 1 participants can receive coverage of medical treatment costs for a range of conditions if you have first lodged a compensation claim for those conditions.
Group 2 participants can receive counselling through the Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling.
If you are a Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 or Group 1 participant, you can receive health care treatment costs under the SHCS for specified conditions, if you have lodged a claim for compensation for these conditions. Group 2 participants are entitled to counselling services only.
For those with Tier status and/or who are Group 1 participants, health care costs are covered under the SHCS until your claim is approved. Thereafter, your health care is provided under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) or the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) (whichever Act your claim is accepted under). If your claim is rejected, you may continue to be entitled to health care under the SHCS indefinitely.
Conditions covered by the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme
Treatment
If you are a Group 1 participant, the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme covers the cost of medical treatment for the above specified conditions. Group 2 participants are only eligible for counselling services.
To receive coverage for treatment costs for a condition, Group 1 participants must first lodge a compensation claim for that condition. To lodge a claim, please contact the relevant authority for the appropriate form:
- The Department of Veterans’ Affairs: 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372), Form D2020 - Claim for Rehabilitation and Compensation;
- WorkCover Queensland: 1300 362 128, or
- Comcare: 1300 366 979.
Coverage of treatment costs through the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme will be provided while your claim for compensation is being investigated and determined.
If your compensation claim is accepted, treatment will then be provided by the relevant statutory compensation authority (eg DVA, WorkCover Queensland or Comcare).
If your compensation claim is rejected, treatment costs may continue to be covered under the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme, unless it has been determined by DVA that:
- no medical condition was found during the claims investigations process; or
- that your condition does not incapacitate you; or
- you have withdrawn your claim for compensation.
Health Programs through Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling
Group 1 participants have access to health programs provided by Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling. This includes the F-111 Lifestyle Management Program and Heart Health.
Read more information on these programs and Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling more generally.
Counselling services
SHOAMP Health Care Scheme Group 1 and Group 2 participants have access to general counselling provided by the Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling, who will also arrange genetic counselling if required.
Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling can be contacted in any state, on 1800 011 046.
To arrange counselling, you should call the nearest Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling office.
How does the removal of the cut-off date affect me?
As part of the Government Response to the Parliamentary Inquiry report on F-111 workers and their families, changes were made to the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme. A prior cut-off date (of 20 September 2005) was removed, and the Scheme reinstated.
Registrations for Group 1 and Group 2 participant status were re-opened.
The SHOAMP Health Care Scheme covers medical expenses (for specified conditions) where compensation claims were submitted after the September 05 cut-off date. Likewise, the Scheme is available to eligible persons who submit new compensation claims.
Reopening registrations
If you would like to register for the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme, please complete a registration form
Any SHOAMP Health Care Scheme registrations that were received after the cut-off date of 20 September 2005, from Group 1 participants will be reconsidered by DVA and affected individuals were informed, in writing, of the determination.
Reimbursement of treatment costs incurred since cut-off
If you are already a Group 1 participant, and you submitted a claim for compensation after the cut-off date of 20 September 2005, you may be entitled to reimbursement of medical expenses incurred (for specific conditions) while your claim was being investigated and determined.
Please contact the DVA general enquiries:
- Freecall: 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)
- Email: generalenquiries [at] dva.gov.au
for more information on how you can receive reimbursement of medical expenses incurred since the cut-off date.
Where can I get further information?
If you require further information on the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme or would like to provide feedback, you can contact DVA general enquiries:
- Freecall: 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)
- Email: generalenquiries [at] dva.gov.au