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Awards and Recognition

Employer Support Awards

Important update: To ensure Defence’s practices are consistent with the current government guidance in relation to COVID-19 precautions, all Employer Engagement activities have been postponed until we can ensure that they can be undertaken with minimal risk to ourselves and our participants.

Please continue to engage with us through our website and our team by calling 1800 defence.  

Recognising the supportive civilian employers of our reserve capability is a priority to Defence. Our Employer Support Awards will continue to be celebrated, although due to the COVID-19 precautions all award ceremonies will be held virtually.

Please continue to nominate your supportive employers at the provided link below under: Nominate your employer.

What are they?

The Employer Support Awards acknowledge the support provided to Reservists by their civilian employers.

The awards program doesn't provide any financial or commercial gain to the employers but does provide formal recognition of their support for Reservists.

How are employers nominated?

If you're a serving Reservist, you can nominate your employer for recognition in your State / Territory.

What types of awards are available?

Recognition of Support Certificates

Recognition of Support Certificates will be presented to employers who are nominated by their Reservist employees as being supportive of their serving as a member of the Reserve.

State / Territory Employer Support Awards

State / Territory Employer Support Awards are presented to employers, who have provided continued and significant support to their Reservist employee(s).

Where will the awards be held

The awards will be held across the country in the following locations:

  • Queensland;
  • Tasmania;
  • Northern Territory and Kimberley;
  • New South Wales;
  • Australian Capital Territory and South East NSW;
  • Victoria;
  • Western Australia.

 

Nominate your employer

  1. Fill out the form,
  2. Email to ryd.drs@defence.gov.au and
  3. We'll contact you to discuss.

 

Reserve Awards

 

Prince of Wales Award

Important update: To ensure Defence is compliant with the current government guidance on COVID-19. All 2020 POWA recipients have been asked to postpone any training or international courses until 2021.  Defence will contact current POWA recipients in the coming weeks.

The Prince of Wales Award (POWA) Scheme rewards selected ADF Reservists for their dedication and commitment to Reserve service, as well as recognising the support their employer gives them as an ADF Reservist.

The POWA Scheme allows eligible Reservists to undertake a training or development activity related to their civilian occupation or profession. Defence will provide support to the value of up to $8000 for each POWA recipient.

Applications for the POWA Scheme are called for annually in a DEFGRAM. Further information on the nomination process and policy may be found in Forms & Publications > Awards section of this website.

Training & development types

The activity undertaken is not prescriptive, and may comprise:

  • a training course in Australia or overseas;
  • attendance at a national or international conference or symposium; or
  • an attachment or placement with a civilian employer.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:

  • be a Navy, Army, or Air Force Reservist (SERCATs 3-5);
  • hold substantive rank of Corporal (E) to Major (E);
  • be a serving member, with at least three years of effective Reserve service; and
  • be declared ‘efficient’ in the financial year of application.

Where do I obtain more information?

Tasman Scheme

Important update: To ensure Defence is compliant with the current government guidance on COVID-19, the Tasman Scheme is on hold until further notice.

The Tasman Scheme allows selected ADF Reservists to undertake a secondment with the NZDF for two weeks. The Scheme is a reciprocal arrangement, where members of the NZDF Reserves are also seconded to ADF units.

Commanding Officers may nominate individuals to participate in the Tasman Scheme.

Applications for the Tasman Scheme are called for annually in a DEFGRAM. Further information on the nomination process and policy may be found in the Forms & Publications > Awards section of this website.

Scheme advantages

The Scheme rewards excellence and commitment among Reserve Junior NCOs and Junior Officers.

It also means Australia and New Zealand Reservists can work together when needed, because they've learnt similar skills and have experienced similar training.

Who can be nominated?

You can be nominated for the Tasman Scheme if you satisfy a number of criteria, including:

  • are an Army, Navy or Air Force Reservist (SERCATs 3-5, depending on your service)
  • hold substantive rank of Lieutenant (E), Corporal (E), Lance Corporal (E) or Private Proficient (E);
  • be a serving member, with at least three consecutive years of effective Reserve service including the period prior to nomination.

Where do I obtain more information?

 

 

 

 

 

Last update: Wednesday, 1 April 2020

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