Division 2: During deployment (This Division is policy guidance)

17.4.9    Overview
17.4.10   Deployment allowance
17.4.11   Other allowances that may be payable
17.4.12   Contributions to accommodation and meals
17.4.13   Additional leave accrual
17.4.14   Relief out-of-country travel fare assistance
17.4.15   Communications
17.4.16   Medals

17.4.9    Overview

 

This Division covers the conditions of service for a member during deployment for service on warlike operations for less than six months.

17.4.10   Deployment allowance

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 149.

1.

Deployment allowance is paid during deployment on warlike operations. Its purpose is to recognise the military and environmental hazards a member may experience.

2.

The deployment allowance rate is based on the threat levels assessed by the Minister for military threats and environmental hazards in the operational area. In deciding the threat levels, the Minister must consider a range of criteria about the operational situation and environmental conditions.

3.

In one operational area, there may be different deployment allowance rates for different locations.

4.

Deployment allowance is payable for all these periods.

 

a.

A day or part-day of service in the operational area.

 

b.

A day of recreation leave or war service leave accrued in the operational area.

5.

Deployment allowance has these features.

 

a.

It is exempt from income tax instalments.

 

b.

It is exempt for Family Tax Benefit purposes.

 

c.

It is assessable income for social security purposes.

 

Exception: Deployment allowance is not assessable for members of the Reserve Forces.

 

See: Chapter 17 Part 9, Allowances and leave

17.4.11   Other allowances that may be payable

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 150.

 

A member getting deployment allowance may be entitled to some of these other allowances in the following situations.

 

Item

Allowance

Additional information

1.

Separation allowance

If applicable, separation allowance may be payable.

See: Chapter 6 Part 1 Division 1, Separation allowance

2.

Hardship allowance

Hardship allowance is not payable at the same time as deployment allowance. However, the member may be entitled to hardship allowance on any day the member is not entitled to deployment allowance.

See: Clause 16.2.4, Amount of hardship allowance

3.

Travel costs

Travel costs are only payable to a member on any day the member has to pay for their own meals while on deployment.

See: Chapter 13 Part 3, Travel costs for short-term duty overseas

17.4.12   Contributions to accommodation and meals

 

A member is not required to contribute for accommodation and meal expenses while on warlike deployment.

17.4.13   Additional leave accrual

1.

While on deployment a member accrues leave in addition to basic recreation leave. This table lists each type of leave that can accrue during deployment and describes how it accrues.

 

Item

Type of leave

Accrual method

1.

Additional recreation leave (for field, seagoing and flying service)

Accrued under normal provisions, see Chapter 5 Part 2 Division 3, Additional recreation leave.

2.

War service leave

Allows members to recuperate from warlike service.

Accrues at the rate of one and a half days for each completed month of service in the operational area.

 

War service leave is taken immediately on return to Australia and before other types of leave.

 

Payment instead of war service leave is available if for Service reasons, the leave cannot be granted.

See: Chapter 5 Part 6, War service leave

 

2.

Members on warlike deployment are not granted extra recreation leave. This type of leave can be granted when other forms of absences from duty, leave and remuneration have not been awarded. As a member deployed on warlike operations gets deployment allowance and war service leave, extra recreation leave is not granted for the same period.

17.4.14   Relief out-of-country travel fare assistance

 

A member is not eligible for relief out-of-country travel fare assistance when on deployment for less than six months.

17.4.15   Communications

 

The Lead Joint Command or Joint Logistics Command will apply mail and telephone provisions separately for each deployment.

17.4.16   Medals

 

The Australian Active Service Medal may be awarded for warlike service.

 

PACMAN                                                                   AL12 (February 2008)                                   Chapter 17 – Part 4 Division 2 – 1