Nationally

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

  • Current nationwide Defence support includes:

    • About 1,168 personnel are deployed as part of Operation COVID-19 Assist.

    • The ADF is 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 COVID-19 Taskforce 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.

  • 92 ADF and Defence APS personnel are embedded in various Australian Government agencies, including the Department of Health and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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.

Queensland - 309 personnel

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

New South Wales - 154 personnel

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

  • 52 ADF personnel are supporting NSW Health.

Victoria - 136 personnel

  • 102 ADF personnel are supporting quarantine compliance management in Melbourne.

South Australia - 129 personnel

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

Western Australia - 60 personnel

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

Tasmania - 62 personnel

  • 56 ADF personnel are currently involved in quarantine assistance in Hobart.

Northern Territory - 147 personnel

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