Class action investigation.
Australian Defence Force Resistance to
Interrogation/Conduct After Capture (RTI/CAC).
This Class action investigation arises from an institutionalised training regime known as Resistance to Interrogation or Conduct After Capture. It was delivered within the Australian Defence Force through the Army Intelligence Corps and equivalent authorised units in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
We allege that members were subjected to torture and abuse as part of this program where ADF personnel were intentionally exposed to extreme physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
The claim contends that there was no lawful justification, operational necessity or legitimate training benefit that permitted these men and women to be treated in this way.
The deliberate infliction of such treatment raises serious questions of legality, Commonwealth and individual responsibility.
Prior Defence Force Ombudsman findings.
I have acted for 50 individuals who made formal abuse reports to the Defence Force Ombudsman arising from RTI and CAC training. In all but one of those matters, the Ombudsman accepted that the conduct constituted the most serious forms of abuse under the Ombudsman Regulations.
In addition, the Ombudsman found that the abuse occurred in circumstances where Defence
failed to respond appropriately, including where the conduct occurred within a formal and sanctioned training environment.
In each of those matters, the ADF accepted the Ombudsman’s findings.
While the Ombudsman’s recommendations are not judicial determinations, they are independent statutory findings made after
consideration of Defence records, Senate material, Royal Commission material, and relevant regulations. They are a matter of public record.
By way of example, in January 2026 the Ombudsman recommended that Defence pay the maximum available reparation of $50,000 to one former member in relation to abuse experienced during CAC training, comprising
$45,000 for the most serious forms of abuse and an additional $5,000 for Defence’s failure to respond appropriately.
These outcomes are significant. They demonstrate independent recognition at the highest level that the conduct complained of constituted the most serious forms of abuse within an authorised Defence training program.
I have acted for 50 individuals who made formal abuse reports to the Defence Force Ombudsman arising from RTI and CAC training. In all but one of those matters, the Ombudsman accepted that the conduct constituted the most serious forms of abuse under the Ombudsman Regulations.
In addition, the Ombudsman found that the abuse occurred in circumstances where Defence failed to respond appropriately, including where the conduct occurred within a formal and sanctioned training environment.
In each of those matters, the ADF accepted the Ombudsman’s findings.
While the Ombudsman’s recommendations are not judicial determinations, they are independent statutory findings made after consideration of Defence records, Senate material, Royal Commission material, and relevant regulations. They are a matter of public record.
By way of example, in January 2026 the Ombudsman recommended that Defence pay the maximum available reparation of $50,000 to one former member in relation to abuse experienced during CAC training, comprising $45,000 for the most serious forms of abuse and an additional $5,000 for Defence’s failure to respond appropriately.
These outcomes are significant. They demonstrate independent recognition at the highest level that the conduct complained of constituted the most serious forms of abuse within an authorised Defence training program.
Who should contact us?
Special Air Service Regiment (SAS)
Members who completed RTI programs from the late 1980s onward.
Australian Army, including:
- Commandos, particularly those completing the Reinforcement Employment Cycle from approximately 2007 onward.
- Infantry personnel who participated in platoon-level RTI exercises from the 1990s onward.
- Aviation Corps pilots and loadmasters directed into RTI training.
- Officers who undertook RTI as part of promotion or command courses.
- Signals, Engineers and other high-risk corps directed into RTI following the Gulf War era.
- Intelligence Corps personnel, including guards and support staff who were ordered to participate in the training.
Royal Australian Navy, including:
- Boarding parties.Clearance divers.
- Aviation personnel who undertook equivalent RTI or CAC exercises.
Royal Australian Air Force, including:
- Pilots required to complete RTI training prior to approximately 2005.
- Other personnel directed into equivalent capture-simulation programs.
If you participated in this training between the 1980s and 2022, you may be eligible to participate in the proposed Group Class Action. We invite you to contact our office for confidential legal advice.