Payments for employers of reservists
The Employer Support Payment Scheme (ESPS) provides weekly financial assistance to businesses who employ a Reservist, or to self‑employed Reservists, when the Reservist is absent from their civilian workplace on eligible periods of Defence service.
Payments for full‑time employees are equal to the average weekly full‑time adult ordinary time earnings (AWOTE); part‑time employees receive pro‑rata payments.
General:
- To be eligible, you must employ a reservist or be a self‑employed reservist
- operate a business
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be a bona fide and registered employer
- and have employed the reservist for a minimum of three months prior to any periods of Defence service being claimed
Eligible defence service: generally at least five consecutive days (or rostered shift‑cycle of at least four consecutive days in some instances) and completed while the member is released and absent from their employment.
Employer applicants:
- must operate a registered business that is trading or otherwise operating
- employ the member in full‑time, part‑time or regular casual employment and have done so for at least three months as an employee, apprentice/trainee under a formal training contract, by appointment/employment by a Commonwealth/State/Territory authority (including local government), or as a commission agent within the meaning of the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001
- and must grant the member an absence from employment to render defence service
Member applicants:
- must operate a registered business that is trading or otherwise operating
- be employed by the business in full‑time or part‑time work
- and the business must provide the member's Principal Source of Income (PSI) or Principal Source of Employment (PSE) over a nominated 12‑month assessment period
Evidence requirements: Employer applicants must submit an ESPS Online Claim and for the first application each financial year provide evidence of the member’s actual weekly hours for the three‑month period immediately prior to the claimed service, evidence of the member’s salary, and any additional evidence requested (e.g. employment contract, payslips, rosters).
Member applicants must submit an ESPS Online Claim, nominate a 12‑month assessment period and PSI or PSE provisions, and provide evidence the business is registered and trading, the member’s individual tax return and notice of assessment (or alternatives where not yet available), and evidence of actual weekly hours for the three months prior to the claimed service.
All applications must be made within 12 months of the first day of defence service being claimed.
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Last updated: 12 February 2026