Nationally - approximately 1,318 personnel are deployed as part of Operation COVID-19 Assist

• The Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds, announced Operation COVID-19 Assist on April 1, 2020.

• Current nationwide Defence support includes:

  • Contact tracing and planning support teams to all state and territory governments.

  • Supporting law enforcement agencies with mandatory quarantine arrangements.

  • The ADF will not be authorised as law enforcement officers as this remains the responsibility of the states and territories.

• Additionally, the ADF:

  • Has established the three-star-led COVID-19 task force to coordinate Defence’s internal response to COVID-19 and support the whole-of-government effort.

  • Is supporting Emergency Management Australia-led (EMA) planning for the National Communicable Disease Incidence of National Significance Plan in response to COVID-19.

  • Is supporting the Department of Health with logistics and specialist staff. 

  • Has been supplying clinical and epidemiological support to the Department of Health National Incident Room since early February 2020.

• 20 ADF and Defence APS personnel are embedded in various Australian Government agencies, including the Department of Home Affairs and Services Australia.

State-by-state breakdown

*Note: Personnel in Joint Task Group headquarters, supporting roles, and those preparing for tasks are included in overall state-based figures but are not captured in the list of tasks.

Victoria - 356 personnel

• 289 ADF members will support quarantine compliance management in Melbourne.

Queensland - 284 personnel

• 233 ADF personnel are supporting quarantine compliance management efforts, including at airports and hotels. 

New South Wales - 222 personnel

• 203 ADF personnel are supporting state police quarantine, reception and repatriation efforts at Sydney airport and hotels.

Western Australia - 110 personnel

• 84 ADF personnel are involved in quarantine assistance at hotels and at the Perth Airport.

South Australia - 101 personnel

• 77 ADF personnel are supporting South Australia Police quarantine compliance management at six Adelaide metropolitan hotels.

Northern Territory - 35 personnel

• 18 ADF personnel are supporting Australian Federal Police and Northern Territory Police quarantine compliance management.

Australian Capital Territory - 36 personnel

• 28 ADF personnel are supporting ACT Police quarantine compliance management.

Tasmania - 30 personnel

• 14 ADF personnel are involved in quarantine assistance in Hobart.