DFWA says the single-year deal falls short on living costs

ADF members will receive a 3% pay rise for the coming year under a joint ADF and Commonwealth offer approved by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal.

That increase sits within the 2026-29 ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement. However, the Defence Force Welfare Association questioned why the parties tabled only a one-year increase instead of the three-year arrangements used in past rounds.

In a submission dated 2 September 2026, DFWA told the tribunal the 3% increase would not make up for higher living costs affecting ADF members and their families. It also said the result compared poorly with recent pay rises in other sectors.

Surveys commissioned by DFWA found members and their families were uncomfortable with the one-year arrangement. They also showed disappointment with the 3% offer and suspicion about a link to Australian Public Service wage-fixing arrangements, according to the association.

DFWA also argued the increase would do little to address the continuing failure to meet the target strength of the permanent ADF. Because of that, the group used the case to press wider concerns about pay and conditions.

Reserve pay and super concerns

Among those issues, DFWA told the tribunal there was an urgent need to review Reserve pay arrangements. It also called for action on the declining relativity of employer superannuation contributions for ADF members.

As an approved intervener in the wage-fixing process, DFWA lodged its written submission on 2 September 2026 and presented its case at the tribunal hearing on 17 September 2026.

Following that hearing, the tribunal approved the joint ADF and Commonwealth offer for the coming year. DFWA did not say when any later offers under the 2026-29 arrangement would go to the tribunal.

The association said it will continue as an intervener as further wage offers under the 2026-29 Workplace Remuneration Arrangement are considered. Formed in 1959, DFWA is a national body representing serving and former Australian Defence Force members and their families on pay, conditions, retirement, superannuation, rehabilitation and compensation for service-related injuries.

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