So, you've decided that now is the right time to start saving for or look at buying a house....yay, go you!

If you're like me, you have so many questions (so many) and need answers STAT about the potential homebuyer grants, and ADF schemes and entitlements you and your military member may be able to apply for.

But…. those answers need to be explained in plain old non-military speak, which is why Defence Bank's Regional Manager for Lending Distribution, Ashley Wills, and I talk you through ALL.THE.THINGS when it comes to saving for and buying a house.

In this episode, Ashley and I talk about;

-First steps once you decide to save for a house

-Personal debts and how they can impact your borrowing power

-Which Home Buyer Grants and ADF schemes, and entitlements you may be eligible for

-DHOAS (Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme) explained

-HPAS (Home Purchase Assistance Scheme) explained

-HPSEA (Home Purchase or Sale Expenses Allowance) explained

-The newly expanded Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme explained

-The First Home Owner Grant and Super Saver Scheme explained

-What is stamp duty, and the available concessions

-How to factor in Interest rates and understand what you can borrow

-Getting preapproval and why organising Power of Attorney is useful for Defence families

For even more information and to check your eligibility for any of the grants, schemes and entitlements discussed in this podcast episode, click through the links below or get in contact with Defence Bank to talk about all of the above in more detail on 1800 033 139 or visit the website www.defencebank.com.au

DHOAS- https://www.dhoas.gov.au/

HPAS- https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/buying-or-selling-home

HPSEA- https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/selling-or-buying-home-using-home-purchase-or-sale-expenses-allowance-hpsea

5% Deposit Scheme- https://www.housingaustralia.gov.au/

First Home Owner Grant- https://www.firsthome.gov.au/

First Home Super Saver Scheme- https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/withdrawing-and-using-your-super/early-access-to-super/first-home-super-saver-scheme

Home Loan Borrowing Power Calculator- https://www.defencebank.com.au/tools-and-advice/calculators/home-loan-borrowing-power-calculator/

Home Loan Repayments Calculator- https://www.defencebank.com.au/tools-and-advice/calculators/home-loan-repayments-calculator/

Stamp Duty Calculator- https://www.defencebank.com.au/tools-and-advice/calculators/stamp-duty-calculator/

On this week's Military Life podcast episode, Defence Partner Nicole, who is currently posted in the USA with her ADF member and two children, comes back on the podcast (for PART TWO) to give us an update and answer more of our overseas posting questions.

Listen in to last week's episode for Part One of my chat with Nicole. If you would like to listen to my first episode with Nicole on the topic of overseas postings, where we discussed preparing for an overseas posting, arriving, and settling in, check out episode 173.

On this week's Military Life podcast episode, Defence Partner Nicole, who is currently posted in the USA with her ADF member and two children, comes back on the podcast to give us an update and answer more of our overseas posting questions.

Stay tuned next week for Part Two of my chat with Nicole. If you would like to listen to my previous episode with Nicole, where we discussed preparing for an overseas posting, arriving, and settling in overseas, check out episode 173.

This week on the Military Life Podcast, Part Two of my chat with Director General of Defence Member and Family Support Libby Cremen.

We talk all things DMFS, including;

-The Partner Employment Assistance Program and the recent changes to PEAP

-The ADF Families Survey and how DMFS uses the data to improve programs & support

-The importance of engaging with a range of Defence families to ensure representation of a diverse community

-The new Defence Families Portal (to be launched soon) that will streamline access to information, support and services

-Changes to the Family Support Funding Program (FSFP) & the support of Defence Community Centres

-Available support when there is a breakdown of a Defence marriage/relationship

-Crisis support when an ADF family member experiences family domestic violence (FDV)

-Why DMFS is focusing on analysing existing defence family data and accepting the challenges faced by families are ongoing and need evolving solutions

If you haven't listened already, check out Part One of my chat with Libby, released last week.

The links below provide more information about DMFS and the available help and support.

Defence Member Family Support website

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families

24 Hour DMFS Helpline

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/crisis-support/helplines

Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP)

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-families/partner-employment-assistance-program

ADF Families Survey

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-families/adf-families-survey

Family Domestic Violence Support

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/crisis-support/family-domestic-violence-support

This week on the Military Life Podcast, Part One of my chat with Director General of Defence Member and Family Support Libby Cremen.

We talk all things DMFS, including;

-Who DMFS are and the support and services they provide for Defence Families

-Connecting with Defence Families early so that they "know us before they need us"

-The 24-hour DMFS helpline and when and why to contact the helpline

-Defence Social Workers, Family Liaison Officers, Education Liaison Officers, and Military Support Officers explained

-The significance of the introduction of the Defence Member and Family Information Guide

-Helping Defence Families to build support networks through DMFS Connection events

-Real examples of how DMFS have recently helped Defence families in need of support

Stay tuned next week for Part Two of my chat with Libby. In the meantime, check out the links below to find out more about DMFS and the available help and support.

Defence Member Family Support website

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families

24 Hour DMFS Helpline

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/crisis-support/helplines

Defence Member and Family Information Guide

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/news-resources/defence-member-family-information-guide

On this week's Military Life Podcast episode and as the Defence Community start to receive news of postings and possible moves, I re-release PART TWO of my chat with Defence Partner and Declutter Expert Tara Tuttle.

Tara knows the challenges of Defence Life and moving and packing and unpacking and all the things!

Tara also knows the challenges Defence Families can face when it comes to organisation, clutter, holding onto things, feeling overwhelmed and how physical and mental clutter are often connected.

In PART TWO, Tara and I talk about;

-Just in case items and how they hold us down

-When excess and clutter prevent us from living the way we want to live

-Setting aside time to declutter and organise and starting small in order to avoid overwhelm

-Taking time to find or create homes for our belongings when we post into a new location

-How that can allow us, mentally, to feel more settled

-How deciding to let go of stuff is just the first step in the process and how having a plan and committing to the whole process is key.

PLEASE NOTE: This podcast episode was recorded a couple of years ago, and while the content is still so relevant, it should be noted that Tara does not currently operate the Life Coach/Decluttering business she mentions in this podcast episode and is no longer recording new episodes of her BeUncluttered Podcast. To listen to past episodes, check it out here Be Uncluttered Podcast | Facebook

On this week's Military Life Podcast episode, and as the Defence Community start to receive news of postings and possible moves, I re-release PART ONE of my chat with Defence Partner and Declutter Expert Tara Tuttle.

Tara knows the challenges of Defence Life and moving and packing and unpacking and all the things!

Tara also knows the challenges Defence Families can face when it comes to organisation, clutter, holding onto things, feeling overwhelmed, and how physical and mental clutter are often connected.

Tara and I talk about;

-The two types of people when it comes to decluttering

-How Defence Life can lead us to be less critical about our belongings

-How saying yes to having LESS physical possessions or mental clutter allows us to make space for what is really important

-All things decluttering and letting go

Next week, in PART TWO of this podcast episode, Tara and I talk about just-in-case items and how they hold us down, when excess and clutter prevent us from living the way we want, setting aside time to declutter and organise, and so much more.

PLEASE NOTE: This podcast episode was recorded a couple of years ago, and while the content is still so relevant, it should be noted that Tara does not currently operate the Life Coach/Decluttering business she mentions in this podcast episode and is no longer recording new episodes of her BeUncluttered Podcast. To listen to past episodes, check it out here

This week on the Military Life Podcast, you've got me, or should I say, I've got you!

I thought I would put together another episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits.

In PART FOUR, I talk all about;

-Remote Postings

-Deployments and ROCL (Relief Out of Country Leave)

-Overseas Postings

-Financial Support

-Relationship Breakdown

-Defence Special Needs Support Group

-DEFGLIS (Defence Gay & Lesbian Info Service)

-DFA (Defence Families Australia)

Below are all the links and resources discussed in this episode of the podcast.

Remote Postings

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/perform-duty-remote-location

Remote Location Leave Travel

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/remote-location-leave-travel-rllt

ADF District Allowance

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/adf-district-allowance

Deployment

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/deployment

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/military-life-cycle/absence-from-home/deployment

Relief Out of Country Leave (ROCL)

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman/chapter-17/part-8/div-3

Overseas Postings

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/military-life-cycle/posting-relocating/overseas-posting

Military Life Podcast Episode- Overseas Postings

Episodes 60, 69, 173 and 174

Financial Support, Services & Education

ADF Financial Services Consumer Centre

https://adfconsumer.gov.au/home-v2/

Emergency Support for Families Scheme

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/crisis-support/emergency-support-schemes/emergency-support-families-scheme

The Navy's Anchorage- Grants and Loans

https://thenavysanchorage.com.au/

Royal Australian Navy- Keeping Watch/Relief Trust Fund

https://www.keepingwatch.org.au/about-us/ran-relief-trust-fund

Army Relief Trust Fund

https://armyrtf.com.au/

RAAF Welfare Trust Fund

https://raafwelfaretrustfund.gov.au/

Bravery Trust

https://braverytrust.org.au/

Wounded Heroes

https://www.woundedheroes.org.au/

Veteran and Families Hubs- RSL Lifecare

https://www.dva.gov.au/what-we-help-with/advocacy-representation-advice/veterans-and-families-hubs

Legacy

https://www.legacy.com.au/get-support/

Rising Sun Charity

https://risingsuncharity.org.au/

Relationship Breakdown

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman/chapter-6/part-5/div-10

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman/chapter-8/part-11

Ex ADF Spouse Support Group

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1G3mEMXNAn/

Defence Special Needs Support Group (DSNSG)

https://www.dsnsg.org.au/

DEFGLIS (Defence Gay Lesbian Information Service)

https://defglis.com.au/

Defence Families Australia

https://militarylife.com.au/defence-partner-info-hub/dfa/

Past DFA Advocacy Maps

https://militarylife.com.au/dfaadvocacymaps/

Helplines/Crisis Support

Defence Member and Family Helpline 1800 624 608

A 24/7 helpline for services and information from Defence Member and Family Support.

1800 IMSICK 1800 467 425

A 24/7 phone service providing nurse triage and health support for members after hours or off-base.

All-hours Support Line 1800 628 036

A confidential 24/7 phone service triaging access to medical, psychology and social work services.

Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office 1800 736 776

A confidential 24/7 phone service for those affected by sexual misconduct at home or work.

Chaplaincy Services 1300 333 362 (ask to speak to the on-call Chaplain in the area)

A 24/7 on-call chaplaincy service for pastoral care, support or advice.

Support outside Defence

The following helplines are not affiliated with Defence. Defence does not endorse or recommend any third party products or services.

1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732

National sexual assault and domestic violence counselling.

Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36

Help for anywhere in the mental health journey.

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Support for kids anytime, any reason.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Crisis support and suicide prevention.

Mens Line Australia 1300 78 99 78

Helping men deal with relationship problems.

Open Arms 1800 011 046

Counselling, group programs and suicide prevention for members, veterans and families.

Safe Zone Support (hosted by Open Arms) 1800 142 072

Free and anonymous counselling line (separate to Open Arms).

SANE Australia 1800 187 263

Helping Australians affected by mental illness.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

Free nationwide phone counselling service.

This week on the Military Life Podcast, you've got me, or should I say, I've got you!

I thought I would put together another episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits.

In PART THREE, I talk all about;

-Partner employment assistance program (PEAP)

-The ADF Family Health Program

-Mental health support via Open Arms and ADF Chaplains

-Help with sourcing childcare for Defence children

-Education Liaison Officers (EDLOs

-Defence School Mentors, the ADF Equip & ADF Aware programs

-The Education Assistance Scheme

-Education assistance for children with additional needs

-The various organisations that provide Defence kid-specific programs and resources

We also hear from a handful of Defence Partners who have previously detailed their spouse journey with us on past episodes.

As you will hear, our experiences are all unique yet have so many common threads that run so deep and connect us.

On the next episode of the Military Life Podcast, we'll talk about remote postings, deployments, overseas postings, where to turn when your family is experiencing financial hardship, the support available when there is a relationship breakdown and so much more.

Below are all the links and resources discussed in this episode of the podcast.

Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP)

https://www.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-07/Partner-Employment-Assistance-Program-Guidelines.pdf

Defence Provider (Busy Group)

https://www.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/BUSYPEAPflyer.pdf

https://www.busyatwork.com.au/adf-transition-support-services/

Soldier On

https://soldieron.org.au/supporting-you/employment/

RSL Queensland

https://rslqld.org/find-help/employment

Veterans' and Families' Hubs

https://www.dva.gov.au/get-support/health-support/work-and-social-life-programs/work-and-social-support/veterans-and-families-hubs

NSW Veterans Employment Program

https://www.vep.veterans.nsw.gov.au/jobseekers/

Veterans SA

https://veteranssa.sa.gov.au/programs-events/

Cowork Coplay

https://coworkcoplay.com.au/

Frontline Labs

https://www.frontlinelabs.org.au/

The Kings Trust Australia

https://www.kingstrust.org.au/enterprise

ADF Family Health Program

https://adffamilyhealth.com/

ADF Family Health Program- Fringe Benefits

https://adffamilyhealth.com/fringe-benefits-tax/

Open Arms

https://www.openarms.gov.au/

Open Arms Programs & Workshops

https://www.openarms.gov.au/get-support/treatment-programs-and-workshops

ADF Chaplains Podcast Episode

https://militarylife.com.au/podcast/#episode117

Help with Childcare

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-children/childcare

Education Liaison Officers (EDLOs)

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-children/changing-schools

Defence School Mentor Program

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-children/defence-school-mentor-program

ADF Equip Program

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-children/adf-equip-program

ADF Aware Program

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-children/adf-aware-program

Education Assistance Scheme

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-children/education-assistance-scheme

Education assistance for Children with Additional Needs

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-families/families-special-needs

Defence Special Needs Support Group

https://www.dsnsg.org.au/

Kookaburra Kids

https://kookaburrakids.org.au/defence-program/

Child and Family Resilience Programs

https://ecdefenceprograms.com/

Someone I love is in Defence

https://www.someoneiloveisindefence.com.au/

This week on the Military Life Podcast, you've got me, or should I say, I've got you!

I thought I would put together another episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits.

On PART TWO, I talk all about two big Defence Life topics;

-Housing options and Defence Housing Australia (DHA)

-TOLL the organisation tasked with moving us to and from our posting locations

We also hear from a handful of Defence Partners who have previously detailed their spouse journey with us on past episodes.

They answer the question- What have you learnt about Defence life?

As you will hear, our experiences are all unique yet have so many common threads that run so deep and connect us.

On the next episode of the Military Life Podcast, we'll talk about the Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP), the ADF Health Program and related benefits, accessing FREE Mental Health support via Open Arms and other avenues, and so much more.

Below are all the links and resources discussed in this episode of the podcast.

DHA General Information and FAQ's

https://www.dha.gov.au/housing

Becoming an Approved Agent

https://www.dha.gov.au/housing/formsold/agent

PACMAN (Pay and Conditions Manual)

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman

Family Categorisations

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/understanding-family-categorisations

Rent Bands

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman/annex-7a

Rent Allowance

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/rent-allowance

Assistance with Utilities Connections and Bonds

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman/chapter-7/part-10/div-3

Interest Free Loans

Army Relief Trust Fund

https://armyrtf.com.au/loans/general-loans/

Royal Australian Navy Relief Trust Fund

https://www.keepingwatch.org.au/about-us/ran-relief-trust-fund

RAAF Welfare Trust Fund

https://raafwelfaretrustfund.gov.au/

Flexible Housing Trial

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/housing/flexible-housing-trial

DRHM (Defence Relocations and Housing Manager) to get in contact, use the email address below and your query will be passed on to your local DRHM

[email protected]

DHA Emergency Maintenance Line

139 342

DHA Maintenance Requests and FAQs

https://www.dha.gov.au/housing/maintenance

Living Apart (URF)

https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman/chapter-1/part-3/division-3#subdivision-3-unaccompanied-resident-family

TOLL

https://tws.defenceuniform.movemaestro.com/