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05/04/2026

ADF Class Action

In October 2025, a class action was filed in the Federal Court of Australia (Federal Court) against the Commonwealth of Australia (Commonwealth) alleging contraventions of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (Class Action).

Purpose of this webpage

The purpose of this webpage is to provide neutral and factual information on the Class Action, and to direct readers to other sources of information. This webpage will be updated from time to time, as new information becomes available.

Overview of the Class Action

The Department of Finance (Comcover) is leading the Commonwealth’s response to the Class Action, in collaboration with the Department of Defence (Defence), the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and other Commonwealth entities.

The Class Action involves allegations of sexual harassment, harassment on the ground of sex, sex discrimination in employment and victimisation of women in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) serving at any point between 13 November 2003 and 25 May 2025. The Class Action was filed by lead Applicants on their own behalf and on behalf of a broader group (Group Members).

Status of the Class Action

The Class Action is at an early stage. To date, there have been three case management hearings for the Class Action (on 2 December 2025, 16 February 2026 and 23 March 2026). The purpose of case management hearings is to help to manage the proceeding as efficiently as possible, including identifying issues and setting timelines.

The Class Action is next before the Federal Court on 13 April 2026 for a further case management hearing. The Class Action is also listed for hearing by the Federal Court on preliminary issues on 20-21 April 2026. The parties are raising preliminary issues with the Court to clarify aspects of the claim to facilitate the efficient and expeditious conduct of the proceeding as required by the Court’s Class Action Practice Note.

Further information and contact details

General information on class actions (otherwise known as representative proceedings) is available on the Federal Court of Australia website at: https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/law-and-practice/class-actions. This website contains a list of current class actions in the Federal Court and links to certain Court documents. The list does not currently include this Class Action, but this may change as the Class Action progresses.

The Applicants in the proceeding are represented by JGA Saddler. You can contact JGA Saddler through their website: Australian Defence Force Sexual Discrimination Class Action | JGA Saddler. The contact details for the lawyer acting on behalf of the Applicants is: joshua.aylward@jgasaddler.com.au; (07) 3522 8822.

The Class Action is funded by Omni Bridgeway. Their website contains information on the Class Action: Australian Defence Force Sex Discrimination Class Action - Omni Bridgeway.

Participation in Class Action and legal advice

Participation in the Class Action is a personal legal decision.

The Commonwealth recognises the right of individuals to participate in the Class Action. There will be no adverse consequences for current or former ADF members, Commonwealth employees or contractors arising from their decision to participate in the Class Action.

The Commonwealth cannot provide individuals with legal advice in respect of the Class Action. Individuals may wish to consider obtaining independent legal advice based on their own circumstances in relation to the Class Action.

Wellbeing support

We acknowledge that this may be a difficult and challenging time. Experiences of sexual violence, discrimination and harassment can have deep and lasting impacts.

If you are feeling distressed and would like to speak to someone, you may wish to contact one of the services below:  

Defence employees and current ADF members and their families may also wish to contact one the following services for wellbeing support:

  • 1800 SeMPRO - services are available 24/7 to anyone in Defence impacted by sexual violence. 1800 SeMPRO mental health professionals provide confidential support that you can access by phone or email.
  • Defence All-hours Support Line (ASL)- a 24/7 confidential phone service for Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families to facilitate access to ADF or civilian mental health or medical services.
  • Defence Member and Family Support– a 24/7 helpline for services and information from Defence Member and Family Support.
  • Employee Assistance Program - a 24/7 support for APS, ASD, ASA, Reservists and Cadets.
  • Reserve Assistance Program (RAP)– 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support for Reservists.
  • 1800 IMSICK– A 24/7 phone service providing nurse triage and health support for members after hours or off-base.
  • Defence Chaplaincy Support- a 24/7 regionally based on call service for ADF personnel for pastoral care, support or advice.

DVA employees, veterans and their families may also wish to contact one of the following services for wellbeing support:

  • Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling  – free, confidential 24/7 counselling along with groups and peer support for veterans and their families.
  • Mates4Mates – free mental health, physical rehabilitation, skills‑based programs and peer connection for current and former ADF members and their families.
  • Employee Assistance Program – a 24/7 support available to all DVA employees and their immediate families.

If you are currently employed by the Commonwealth in any other way, please contact your relevant HR area for advice on the support options available.

Frequently Asked Questions

A class action is a legal proceeding where one or more people commence legal action on behalf of a larger group of people who have all been affected in the same way.

  • The Class Action was filed against the Commonwealth in the Federal Court of Australia in October 2025.
  • The Class Action alleges contraventions of the Sex Discrimination Act, specifically: sexual harassment, harassment on the ground of sex, sex discrimination in employment and victimisation of women serving in the ADF at any point between 13 November 2003 and 25 May 2025.
  • At this stage, Group Members are women who:
    • were ADF Members within the meaning of section 4 of the Defence Act 1903 (Cth), whether in the Permanent Forces or the Reserves, at a point during the period 13 November 2003 and 25 May 2025 (the relevant period);
    • were, or allege to have been, at or in connection with their work or in ostensible performance of their duties at ADF workplaces, sexually harassed, harassed on the ground of sex, discriminated against in employment on the ground of sex, and/or the subject of victimisation in the relevant period, for which the Respondent is alleged to be liable; and
    • suffered or allege to have suffered loss or damage by reason of the alleged conduct.
  • Everyone is entitled to exercise their legal rights, including participating in the Class Action, or pursuing other avenues that may be available.
  • Participation in a class action, or exercising other legal rights, is a personal legal decision.
  • The Commonwealth cannot provide you with legal advice in relation to the class action.
  • You may wish to consider obtaining independent legal advice based on your own circumstances in relation to the Class Action.
  • We acknowledge that this may be a difficult and challenging time.
  • Experiences of sexual violence, discrimination and harassment can have deep and lasting impacts.
  • We acknowledge that this may be a difficult and challenging time. Experiences of sexual violence, discrimination and harassment can have deep and lasting impacts.
  • If you are feeling distressed and would like to speak to someone, you may wish to contact one of the services below:  
  • Defence employees and current ADF members and their families may also wish to contact one the following services for wellbeing support:
    • 1800 SeMPRO - services are available 24/7 to anyone in Defence impacted by sexual violence. 1800 SeMPRO mental health professionals provide confidential support that you can access by phone or email.
    • Defence All-hours Support Line (ASL)- a 24/7 confidential phone service for Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families to facilitate access to ADF or civilian mental health or medical services.
    • Defence Member and Family Support– a 24/7 helpline for services and information from Defence Member and Family Support.
    • Employee Assistance Program - a 24/7 support for APS, ASD, ASA, Reservists and Cadets.
    • Reserve Assistance Program (RAP)– 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support for Reservists.
    • 1800 IMSICK– A 24/7 phone service providing nurse triage and health support for members after hours or off-base.
    • Defence Chaplaincy Support- a 24/7 regionally based on call service for ADF personnel for pastoral care, support or advice.
  • DVA employees, veterans and their families may also wish to contact one of the following services for wellbeing support:
    • Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling  – free, confidential 24/7 counselling along with groups and peer support for veterans and their families.
    • Mates4Mates – free mental health, physical rehabilitation, skills‑based programs and peer connection for current and former ADF members and their families.
    • Employee Assistance Program – a 24/7 support available to all DVA employees and their immediate families.
  • If you are currently employed by the Commonwealth in any other way, please contact your relevant HR area for advice on the support options available.
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