If you’re a current or past member of the Australia Defence Force (ADF) and need military legal assistance we’re here to help you get the outcome you need.
Experiencing sexual or physical abuse can be extremely traumatic and isolating, even for years after it happened. We understand the courage it takes to come forward and speak up and are here to help you move forward with your life.
Our passionate team have served within the Australian Defence Force and understand first-hand what it takes to come forward and make a claim. We are ready to listen and provide you with the support you need, every step of the way.
Defence Abuse Response Taskforce (DART) Scheme Revised
Update: Deadline to access Defence Reparation Scheme has been extended
The Australian Government has extended the Defence Reparation Scheme by a further 12 months until 30 June 2022.To seek a reparation payment, you need to contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman by 30 June 2022 and either:
If you have not yet made a reparation claim and want to find out more or discuss your eligibility to make a claim, contact us using the ‘enquire now’ button below.
The government opened a window for historic abuse survivors to apply for reparation payments and other support through the Defence Force Ombudsman.
This is an expanded complaint window with the Defence Force Ombudsman’s Office that allows for abuse survivors who missed out on the DART scheme, to still have access to reparation and other means of support.
In order to qualify for the DFO scheme, you must:
- Have suffered serious abuse such as sexual abuse, serious physical abuse and/or serious bullying and harassment; and
- The serious abuse must have occurred by a serving member or a person employed or contracted by Defence; and
- Contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman by 30 June 2022 to submit a report of the abuse. (Alternatively, you can provide a written notification by 30 June 2022 of your intention to submit a report, and have your final report lodged by 30 June 2023)
The DFO will accept reports of abuse if the abuse is reasonably likely to have occurred. If the report is accepted by the DFO there are various outcomes available to the applicant including, reparation, counselling and a direct restorative engagement meeting.
Shine Lawyers' Abuse Law department has assisted over 100 survivors in their DART applications and have the expertise in providing applicants with the best chance at receiving reparation for the abuse suffered while serving within the Defence Force.
Contact our expert Abuse Law team online or via phone on 13 11 99 today to assist you with your application to the DFO. Let’s right wrong.
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Australian Defence Force legal process
Everyone’s situation is unique, because no two Australian Defence Force compensation claims are the same, however the below is a good representation of the claims process works with Shine Lawyers and how to access compensation following your injuries.
How Australian Defence Force compensation gets calculated
Depending on the nature of your Australian Defence Force claim, in most instances a monetary value is placed on the gap between your predicted life path before the accident or injury, and your actual life path since the injury.
