ADF Event: ADF Equip Program – Parental Absence (5-12yrs) Melbourne

The ADF Equip Program helps support the resilience, the emotional and social wellbeing of children whose parent/s are serving in the ADF.
About this Event

NOTE: This event is only for current serving, full time, Australian Defence Force members and their families.

We are currently seeking registration for our ADF Equip Program - Partenal Absence - ages 5-12yrs .

The ADF Equip Program helps support the resilience, the emotional and social wellbeing of children and young people whose parent/s or guardian/s are serving in the Australian Defence Force.

Over the course of the program, up to 10 children/young people will learn age-appropriate strategies to support them to better manage the challenges associated with Defence family life through:

• activities to get to know other Defence children

• activities to improve social and emotional wellbeing

• discussion on how children and parents can access other relevant support.

Children and young people can learn from each other, develop friendships and discover healthy ways to cope with the unique challenges of the Defence lifestyle.

Please be aware : This ADF Equip programs can only be offered depending on numbers.

The program starts with informal activities to get to know the other Defence children in the program. Following this, children participate in structured activities to improve their management of Defence-related challenges on parental absence. The workshop concludes with a discussion on how children and parents can access relevant support and will include take-home resources.

Parents or guardians are encouraged to drop their children off so they can participate in activities. Morning tea will be provided and children are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing as there will be interactive activities on the day.

Please register by Tuesday 30 June 2026. Event may be closed earlier if booked out. Further details will follow when minimum numbers have been reached.

You should carefully read the following information to ensure you are aware of all requirements relating to this event. This information is regularly updated and may not be the same as information on previous DMFS events you may have registered for.

• When registering for the event, you must register for a ticket for each person attending.

• Ensure that the email address you register with is accurate as you will receive your booking confirmation, and any additional information or changes to the event, by email.

• A photographer may be in attendance at this event. If you don’t want to be photographed, or have your family photographed, please let the photographer know. Please note: any photos taken may be used in DMFS publications, online or on social media.

• In the event of a change in government COVID-19 restrictions, this event may be cancelled or rescheduled.

• If you or someone in your family are feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms on the day of the event, please stay at home. If you attend the event with flu-like symptoms, staff will advise you to return home and to seek medical advice.

• If you become unable to attend the event, please cancel your booking by clicking on the link in your confirmation email ‘View and manage your order online’. This takes you to your ‘Tickets’ page where you can choose the ‘Cancel my Order’ option to release the tickets back to the event listing.