The Hon Stuart Robert MP
17 Sep 15
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The Hon Stuart Robert MP
Assistant Minister for Defence
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15 June 2015
More than 40,000 Australian Defence Force (ADF) family members have joined the National ADF Family Health Program since it was launched in January 2014.
Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, said the program was a key Coalition election commitment and hoped the number of ADF family members signing up for the program would continue to grow.
“As of May 2015 almost 60 per cent of all ADF dependants have signed up for the program and now receive gap-free GP services and up to $400 per dependant for recognised allied health care services,” Mr Robert said.
“I know the strain that ADF family members can experience while their loved one is deployed, away on training or even when the entire family is posted to a remote location.
“Providing free basic health cover to dependants of ADF members has long been a priority of mine and I am happy to say it has been delivered.”
Along with receiving gap-free GP services, families can utilise the $400 per dependant to pay for services such as physiotherapy, podiatry and dentistry services.
A family with a number of dependants may also choose to pool each dependant’s $400 and spend the total on a single health expense.
“The National ADF Family Health Program is another way the Government is supporting ADF members and their families,” Mr Robert said.
More information regarding the National ADF Family Health Program can be found at: www.defence.gov.au/health/shc/DependantHealthcare/
Media contacts:
Richard Briedis (Minister Robert’s Office) 0477 391 174
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999