Ex-Gratia lump sum payment scheme

What is the ex-gratia scheme?

In August 2005, the then Government announced a one off ex-gratia payments scheme (of either $40,000 or $10,000) to be made to participants in the formal F-111 deseal/reseal programs, recognising the difficulties they suffered in the environment in which they worked.

The ex-gratia payments scheme continues unchanged, with the exception that the Estates of the deceased personnel who died prior to 8 September 2001 are now eligible to apply for ex-gratia payments.

The Government is not extending the scheme beyond those workers involved in formal deseal/reseal programs, but is focussing on addressing the needs of all those whose health is adversely affected by their work in, or directly related to, F-111 fuel tank maintenance.

If you have not yet claimed and you believe you or a former participant may be eligible, please read the information below on how to apply.

Am I eligible?

The lump sum ex-gratia payment does not distinguish between military personnel, public servants, or civilians, involved in the formal F-111 deseal/reseal programs. People eligible for the ex-gratia lump sum payment need to satisfy the criteria for Tier 1 or Tier 2 and may include:

• a serving member or veteran who was an active participant in one or more of the four formal F-111 deseal/reseal programs between 1 June 1973 and 28 January 2000; or
• a public servant or civilian contractor, who was an active participant in the F-111 deseal/reseal program between 11 November 1991 and 27 August 1993.

The Government has agreed to extend this ex-gratia payment to include the Estates of deceased people who were participants in the formal F-111 deseal/reseal programs, irrespective of when they passed away. Eligibility for a lump sum ex-gratia payment will be considered if the deceased participant satisfies the criteria for Tier 1 or Tier 2 and was:

• a serving member or veteran who was an active participant in one or more of the four formal F-111 deseal/reseal programs between 1 June 1973 and 28 January 2000; or
• a public servant or civilian contractor, who was an active participant in the F-111 deseal/reseal program between 11 November 1991 and 27 August 1993.

Definition of a deseal/reseal participant for the purposes of the Lump Sum Payment Scheme

How do I apply?

If you believe that you fit the criteria of a deseal/reseal participant please click on the link for the lump sum claim form:

• Form D9021 – Claim for a lump sum payment by an F-111 deseal/reseal participant (PDF 246 KB)

If you believe that your deceased partner may have met the criteria as a deseal/reseal participant and you have or are able to obtain supporting documentation, please click on the link for the lump sum estate claim form:

• Form D9022 – Claim for a lump sum payment for the estate of an F-111 deseal/reseal Participant (PDF 342 KB).

This form is to be completed by:

• a widow/er of a former F-111 deseal/reseal program participant who subsequently died; or
• the executor of the estate of a former F-111 deseal/reseal program participant who subsequently died.

Claims must be lodged at the Brisbane Office of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (postal address is on page one of the claim form).

If your claim is rejected and you are dissatisfied with the process, or the way that you were dealt with, you are able to ask the Commonwealth Ombudsman to look at the decision making processes regarding your claim.

• Online: Commonwealth Ombudsman
• Phone: 1300 362 072
• Email: ombudsman [at] ombudsman.gov.au (ombudsman[at]ombudsman[dot]gov[dot]au)
• Post: GPO Box 442, Canberra ACT 2601