Defence Regulation 2016

In force

Administered by

Department of Defence

This item is authorised by the following title:

Defence Act 1903

Latest version

View as made version

F2024C01048 C07

14 October 2024 - 12 December 2025

Table of contents

Part 1—Preliminary
- 1 Name
- 3 Authority
- 5 Objects of this regulation
- 6 Definitions
Part 2—Service chiefs
- 7 Appointment as service chief
- 8 Acting appointments
- 9 Resignation
- 10 Termination of appointment as service chief
- 11 Remuneration and allowances
Part 3—Service in the Defence Force
- Division 1—Appointment and enlistment
  - 12 Appointment and enlistment
- Division 2—Promotion and reduction in rank
- 13 Promotion
- 14 Reduction in rank
- Division 3—Transfers
- 15 Transfer between arms of the Defence Force
- 16 Transfer from Permanent Forces to Reserves
- 17 Voluntary transfer from Reserves to Permanent Forces
- Division 4—Changing periods of service
- 18 Voluntary change
- 19 Time of war or defence emergency
- 20 Defence Force discipline
- Division 5—End of service or period of service
- 21 Becoming member of Reserves after service in Permanent Forces
- 22 End of service in the Reserves—5 year rule
- 23 Retirement age
- 24 Early termination of service
- 25 Service obligation debts
- 26 Change of reason for end of service
- Division 6—Service in the Reserves
- 27 Service in the Reserves
- Division 7—Suspension from duty
- 28 Suspension from duty
- Division 8—Forfeiture of pay—absent without leave
- 29 Forfeiture of pay—absent without leave
- Division 9—Notice to members
- 30 Notice to members
Part 4—Honorary ranks
- 31 Honorary officer ranks
- 32 Honorary enlisted ranks
Part 5—Privileges after end of service
- 33 Title after end of service
- 34 Wearing of uniform after end of service
Part 6—Defence honours and awards
- 35 Defence honours
- 36 Defence awards
- 37 Disclosure of information about honours and awards
Part 6A—Stop sexual harassment directions
- 37A Object of this Part
- 37B Authorised application officers
- 37C Application for authorised application officer to deal with a sexual harassment dispute
- 37D Dealing with an application
- 37E Interim directions
- 37F Stop sexual harassment directions
- 37G Review by Chief of the Defence Force or Secretary
- 37H Withdrawing application or request
Part 7—Redress of grievances
- 38 Object of this Part
- 39 Chief of the Defence Force may authorise person to receive complaints
- 40 Making a complaint
- 41 Manner of making complaint
- 42 Action to consider complaint or redress grievance
- 43 Referral to Inspector General ADF
- 44 Inspector General ADF to consider complaint
- 45 Action by Inspector General ADF
- 46 Inspector General ADF may decide not to consider complaint
- 47 Withdrawing complaint
- 48 Victimisation
Part 8—Medical and dental treatment
- 49 Provision of medical and dental treatment
- 50 Recovery of the costs of treatment in certain circumstances
Part 9—Oaths and affirmations etc. for members serving overseas
- 51 Oaths and affirmations etc. for members outside Australia
- 52 Meaning of competent officer
Part 10—Certification of deaths
- 53 Minister may issue death certificates
- 54 Cancellation and correction of death certificates
- 55 Dealing with property
- 56 No civil or criminal liability for reliance on certificate or cancellation
Part 11—Defence areas
- Division 1—Application of Part
  - 57 Application
- Division 2—Defence areas
- Division 3—Compensation
  - 67 Compensation for loss or damage
  - 68 Compensation for acquisition of property
Part 11A—Defence aviation areas
- Division 1—General
  - 68A Application
  - 68B Interpretation
- Division 2—Requirements in relation to defence aviation areas
- Division 3—Monitoring
- 68P Provisions subject to monitoring under the Regulatory Powers Act
- 68Q Information subject to monitoring under the Regulatory Powers Act
- Division 4—Compensation
- 68R Compensation for diminution of land value, loss or damage
- 68S Compensation for acquisition of property
- Division 5—Review of decisions
- 68T Review by Administrative Review Tribunal
Part 12—Aid to civilian authorities
- 69 Aid to civilian authorities
Part 13—Visiting Forces
- 70 Countries to which provisions of Part IXA of the Act apply
- 71 Form of warrant
- 72 Sentences imposed by service tribunals of other countries
- 73 Evidence of facts by certificate
Part 14—Prohibited words and letters
- 74 Prohibited words
- 75 Prohibited letters
- 76 Use of prohibited words or letters
- 77 Consent to use prohibited words or letters
- 78 Review by Administrative Review Tribunal
- 79 Treatment of partnerships
- 80 Treatment of unincorporated associations and bodies
Part 15—War graves
- 81 War graves
Part 15A—Australian Defence Force Cadets
- 81A Laws relating to equipment
Part 16—Delegations
- 82 Delegation of Minister’s powers
- 83 Delegation of Secretary’s powers
- 84 Delegation of Chief of the Defence Force’s powers
Part 17—Transitional provisions
- Division 1—General
- Division 2—Amendments made by Defence Amendment (Defence Aviation Areas) Regulations 2018
Schedule 1—Oath and affirmation
- 1 Form of oath
- 2 Form of affirmation
- 3 Persons before whom oath or affirmation may be taken or made
Schedule 2—Form of warrant
- Endnotes

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Defence Regulation 2016

Scheduled Maintenance - Friday 2 January 2026 from 7pm AEST

Defence Regulation 2016

Legislation text