Division 6: Household help

15.4.26   Purpose
15.4.27   Household help
15.4.28   Snow clearing
15.4.29   Representation supplement [APS only]

15.4.26   Purpose

 

The purpose of this Division is to provide financial assistance for the costs of household help.

15.4.27   Household help

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 106.

1.

A member may decide to employ a person to help them with household tasks including, but not limited to, activities like yard and property maintenance, domestic help and child minding.

Note: This must be done within the constraints of the posts, for example, security regulations and maintenance contracts.

2.

The CDF may reimburse the cost of employing a person to provide household help, up to any reasonable limit set by the post administrator for that category of help, if satisfied that all of these conditions are met.

 

a.

The help is required as a direct result of the member’s official duties.

Example: A member is required to attend a ceremony such as local Australia Day celebrations with their spouse or partner, in order to provide an ADF presence. The presence of the couple has been agreed by Head Australian Defence Staff. The member has a young child who will not be attending the event. In this case, the cost of child minding may be reimbursed to the member.

 

b.

The help enables the member to perform their official duties more effectively and efficiently.

 

c.

The cost of the help is reasonable having regard to the following criteria.

 

i.

The costs normally paid for this help at the posting location.

 

ii.

The general living conditions at the long-term posting location.

 

iii.

The number and age of the member’s dependants.

 

iv.

Local social and religious customs or laws.

 

v.

Any special features of a residence that the Commonwealth provides the member.

 

d.

The help is not for a task that is required due to normal use and wear on the home.

Example: Carpet cleaning required under a lease.


 

3.

If the member is already receiving an allowance that includes an amount for payment of a cost that could otherwise be reimbursed under this clause, then they must not be reimbursed for that cost under this clause.

 

Example: A member is invited to attend a function with their spouse or partner. The event is not one where the member will be taking an official role. In this instance, the child allowance component of the member’s overseas living allowance covers the cost of child minding.

See: Clause 15.2.18, Child allowance.

4.

A member who incurs costs when carrying out representational duties is not eligible to be reimbursed under this clause. 

See: Defence Instruction (General) Administrative 23-6, Overseas representational funds.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 15.4.27.2 on behalf of the Secretary/CDF:

A person not below MAJ(E)/APS 6 who is authorised to manage Defence personnel administration at the overseas post

Senior ADF Representative at the overseas post

15.4.28   Snow clearing

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 107.

1.

The CDF may approve a member to be reimbursed the cost of using commercial snow clearing services. The member must occupy a free-standing residence.

2.

The CDF must consider all these criteria.

 

a.

The amount of snowfall at the member’s posting location.

 

b.

The period of the year that snow persists on the ground at the location.

 

c.

Any legal obligation for the member to clear snow from footpaths and other public thoroughfares adjacent to the member’s residence.

 

d.

The general community practice on snow clearing at the location.

 

e.

Any other factor relevant to snow clearing at the location.

3.

If approved, the member is entitled to be reimbursed the costs they paid for those services.

 

Persons who can make the decision under clause 15.4.28 on behalf of the CDF:

A person not below WO2/APS 5 who is authorised to manage Defence personnel administration at the overseas post

Senior ADF Representative at the overseas post

A person working in the Personnel Administration Centre in Southern Victoria who is:

-     Overseas Administration Team Leader

-     Personnel Administration Manager Specialist

-     Civilian and Overseas Personnel Administration Centre Manager

-     Director Personnel Administration Centre

 


 

Persons who can make the decision under clause 15.4.28 on behalf of the Secretary:

A person who is authorised to manage Defence personnel administration at the overseas post and is not below WO2(E)/APS

Senior ADF Representative at the overseas post

A person working in the Personnel Administration Centre – Melbourne who is authorised to manage Defence personnel administration at overseas posts and is not below WO2(E)/APS 5

15.4.29   Representation supplement [APS only]

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 108.

1.

This clause applies only to APS employees on long-term posting overseas.

2.

This clause does not apply to ADF members. Their representational funds are administered as a post operating expense.

See: Defence Instruction (General) Administration 23-6, Overseas representational funds.

3.

During a posting period, an employee may be entitled to representation supplement. Approval may only be given if the Secretary is satisfied that an employee and any dependants are regularly expected to undertake substantial representational duties. The Secretary must consider all these criteria.

 

a.

The duties of the employee at the posting location.

 

b.

The nature and extent of the representational responsibilities of the employee and any dependants.

 

c.

The extent of representational funds provided to the employee.

 

d.

Any other factor relevant to the employee’s representational responsibilities.

 

If approved, the member is entitled to the amounts in this table.

 

Item

If the employee is...

then they are entitled to this percentage of the representational funds provided...

1.

accompanied

35%

2.

unaccompanied

25%

 

4.

An employee is not entitled to representation supplement in these situations.

 

a.

When not entitled to salary.

 

b.

After four weeks on a period of leave, or absence on duty, from the posting location.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 15.4.29.3 on behalf of the Secretary:

A person working in the Personnel Administration Centre – Melbourne who is authorised to manage Defence personnel administration at overseas posts and is not below WO2(E)/APS 5

 

PACMAN                                                                 AL17 (May 2012)                                  Chapter 15 – Part 4 Division 6 – 1