The Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal was established in 1984 to enable the pay and allowances of members of the Australian Defence Force to be determined having regard to the special nature of Defence Force service. The Tribunal, which is supported by a secretariat staffed by departmental employees, has two functions:
The Tribunal's work is predominantly determined by the matters brought before it by the parties, in particular by the ADF. To deal with these matters the Tribunal sits as and when required.
On 18 June 2009, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia appointed The Hon Patricia Leary to the President of the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal from 27 June 2009 until the end of 30 June 2010.