The Australian Department for Defence provides a range of services, assistance and resources to support Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families.

Educational supports available to assist families and minimise disruption to schooling include the following.

Defence mentor schools

In South Australia, there a number of public and private schools located near key SA defence force facilities offering a Defence School Mentor program. This program is delivered in partnership with the Australian Government’s Department for Defence, to support the wellbeing of children of Defence members.

The program connects children with their school community and enhances the school’s ability to address the impacts of the military lifestyle.

Defence families may be considered for priority placement at a Defence School Mentor school. Contact the Defence School Mentor school directly for further information.

Alternatively, Defence families can apply to attend a local school nearby to their home. See the department find a school webpage for nearby local schools.

A full list of Defence School Mentor program schools is available at the Australian Department for Defence website.

For more information email dsm.program@defence.gov.au.

Changing schools and preschools

We understand there are times when our Defence families need to change schools and preschools at short notice and may have temporary accommodation arrangements. This may affect a family’s ability to provide proof of residence or identify a local school or preschool when enrolling their children.

Although all our schools and preschools will ask for residential documentation, if you cannot provide the requested documents, please contact the school and preschool directly to discuss. The school or preschool may request other documents, to come to an interview, or to sign a statutory declaration.

Education Liaison Officers (EDLO)

When relocating to South Australia, we encourage Defence families to contact the Defence education liaison officer (EDLO).

The EDLO provides an education advisory service for Defence families and has extensive knowledge about the differences in the way states, territories and individual schools deliver education. They also understand the unique needs of Defence children.

Contact the Defence member and family helpline to access EDLO support.

Education Assistance Scheme

Defence families may have financial support available to them to help minimise the disruption to education, when your child needs to:

• change schools
• study at a school not in the posting location
• study away from home.

See the Defence educational assistance scheme for further information or email education.supportprograms@defence.gov.au.

More information

For further information visit the Australian Department for Defence website.