Additional notes

Grouping of reasons for separation

The reason for separation in this report describes the main reason recorded for a person’s separation (discharge) from the ADF. Analysis by reason for separation is presented for the following groups:

  • Voluntary separation: includes voluntary redundancies and resignations
  • Involuntary separation: includes personnel deemed unsuitable for further duty for disciplinary, medical, and operational reasons. Involuntary separation is further divided into:
    • separation for medical reasons
    • non-medical involuntary separation (which includes being physically unfit for service, training failure, and disciplinary reasons)
    • retention not in service interest, includes separations based on one or more of the following:
      • separation due to a member’s performance, behaviour, suitability or failure to meet one or more conditions of appointment, enlistment or promotion,
      • separation due to Defence workforce planning, effectiveness and efficiency, morale, welfare and discipline, or reputation and community standing.
  • Contractual/administration: separation due to contractual completion and/or administrative changes in Defence personnel systems.