How does the Defence Force Discipline Act apply to civilians working with the military?

In Plain English

The Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 generally applies to "defence members" and "defence civilians". According to section 9, the Act applies both inside and outside of Australia, but only to defence members or defence civilians. The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 also defines "defence civilian" as someone involved in warlike or non-warlike operations.

Detailed Explanation

Section 9 of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 specifies the Act's extra-territorial operation, stating:

The provisions of this Act apply, according to their tenor, both in and outside Australia but do not apply in relation to any person outside Australia unless that person is a defence member or a defence civilian.

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 defines "defence member" and "defence civilian":

defence member means:

(a) a member of the Permanent Navy, the Regular Army or the Permanent Air Force; or

(b) a member of the Reserves who:

(i) is rending continuous full-time service; or

(ii) is on duty or in uniform; or

(c) a defence civilian who is involved in a warlike operation or non-warlike operation.