Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, Dr Mike Kelly, has announced that employers of Defence Reservists who claim financial assistance through the Employer Support Payment Scheme will now receive more money.
Employer Support Payments (ESPs) rose on 1 July from $1123.30 to $1183.10 for every week full time reservists are away from their civilian jobs, once the qualifying period of two weeks and other eligibility criteria are satisfied.
“The scheme was introduced to provide financial assistance to both employers and self employed reservists,” Dr Kelly said.
“The weekly payment helps offset the costs associated with the absence of reservist employees who are performing Defence service.”
For reservists in part time employment, a pro rata amount of the applicable Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) is calculated based on their weekly working hours.
ESP support is also available to self employed reservists, whose business provides their main source of income.
For an employer to qualify for ESP payments, their reservist employees must perform Defence service for five or more consecutive days after completing the qualifying period.
Employers can download claim forms at www.defence.gov.au/reserves.
Defence Reserves Support specialists are available on 1800 803 485 or esp@defence.gov.au to help resolve any queries about the claims process.
