Defence members and their families should let their voices be heard by participating in the Defence Families of Australia (DFA) family survey.
The survey, which measures effectiveness of existing services as well as what needs are not being met, is produced annually. It seeks family views independent of the ADF member and is completely confidential.
“The opinions of families matter,” DFA National Convenor Julie Blackburn said. “This data, combined with discussions at DFA consultation meetings around the country in June and July, can be used to assist decision-makers as to where and how to allocate its Defence community resources.”
Previous feedback has been instrumental in advocating for and achieving improvements in housing standards, base access, health, education, child care and deployment support services.
Each Defence family should complete one survey response. Respondents may be partners, parents, children and ADF and Reserve members responding on behalf of their family. It should be noted that most questions are directed to the family members living with an ADF member.
To help promote the survey, $1 for each unique survey response will be donated to the Australian Defence Force Assistance Trust, which provides financial support to the families of ADF members who have died or been severely injured in service.
All survey responses are anonymous. Contact details requested at the end of the survey are only collected for the purposes of DFA membership and statistics and will not be shared with Defence or any third party.
The survey will run until 10 June. A paper copy of the survey can obtained by contacting DFA, which can be mailed to the DFA national office at the address on the form.