Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Act 1973

The Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Act 1973 is a compilation of the law as amended and in force on 28 September 2022. The notes at the end of this compilation include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law. Uncommenced amendments are not shown in the text of the compiled law, but can be accessed on the Legislation Register.

The Act provides for a Scheme for Retirement and Death Benefits for Members of the Defence Force. Part I - Preliminary sets out the short title, commencement, and interpretation of the Act. The definition of additional contribution, annual rate of pay, and authority are provided.

The Act includes provisions relating to contributions, retirement benefits, invalidity benefits, and benefits on death of a member of the scheme. Part III - Contributions deals with the payment of contributions by members of the scheme, while Part IV - Retirement Benefits provides for entitlement to retirement pay and commutation of retirement pay.

Part V - Invalidity Benefits includes provisions relating to incapacity due to wilful action and classification in respect of incapacity. The classification system includes Class A, Class B, and Class C invalidity benefits.

The Act also includes provisions relating to benefits on death of a member of the scheme, including spouse's pension and children's pensions. Part VI - Benefits on Death of Member of Scheme provides for the payment of spouse's pension, children's pensions, and other benefits.

Part VII - Candidates at Parliamentary Elections deals with the rights of members who contest elections. The Act includes provisions relating to the review of decisions by the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Authority and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The compilation also includes a schedule listing the retirement pay expressed as a percentage of annual rate of pay, notional retiring age for certain officers, commutation of retirement pay and Class C invalidity pay - expectation of life factor, and other miscellaneous provisions.