Part 5: Settling in and out

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 67.

14.5.1    Purpose
14.5.2    Member this Part applies to
14.5.3    Settling in at the posting location
14.5.4    Settling out of the posting location
14.5.5    Settling in/settling out allowance

14.5.1    Purpose

 

The purpose of this Part is to cover the additional costs of meals when a member and dependants are obliged to live in temporary accommodation, including motels and serviced apartments.

14.5.2    Member this Part applies to

1.

This Part applies to a member and their dependants, authorised to live in temporary accommodation for any of these reasons.

 

a.

The member is arriving at the posting.

 

b.

The member is leaving the posting.

 

c.

The member's housing has become unfit for occupation.

See: Clause 15.4.11, Housing becomes unavailable or unfit.

2.

During a period of settling in and settling out, a member is entitled to overseas living allowance. They must also pay a rent and utilities contribution.

See: Chapter 15 Part 4 Division 4, Rent and utilities contribution

14.5.3    Settling in at the posting location

1.

When arriving at the posting location, a member and dependants may live in temporary accommodation. The member and dependants are entitled to a settling in allowance each. 

2.

The settling in period begins on the first day of the member’s posting period. It ends on the earlier of these days.

 

a.

The day when permanent accommodation becomes available at the posting location, or

 

b.

six weeks after the day when the member’s posting period begins.

3.

If a member has not obtained permanent accommodation within the period in subclause 2, the CDF may approve a longer period for the allowance. The CDF must consider all these criteria.

 

a.

The availability of suitable accommodation.

 

b.

The action taken by the member to obtain suitable accommodation.

 

c.

The efficient operation of the ADF.

 

d.

Costs associated with extending the period.

 

e.

Any special circumstances relating to the member or their dependants.

 

f.

The reasonable accommodation needs of the member.

 

g.

Any other factor relevant to the provision of suitable accommodation to the member.

4.

If a member refuses or rejects suitable accommodation at the posting location, the entitlement to settling in allowance ceases.

 

Note: The settling-in period of eligibility will be as short as possible and may be less the maximum period specified.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 14.5.3.3 on behalf of the Secretary/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

Head of 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

-       Manager Personnel Administration Centre

A person authorised to manage Defence personnel administration at the specified overseas post who locally engage staff (LES) who is:

-       Secretary (Defence) Berlin

-       Defence Administrative Assistant Baghdad

-       Defence Office Manager Islamabad

-       Research and Finance Officer Paris

-       Personnel Assistant to Defence Attaché Ankara

-       Defence Office Manager Ottawa

-       Defence Administration Assistant – New Delhi

-       Manager Defence Administration – London

14.5.4    Settling out of the posting location

1.

When leaving the posting location, the member and dependants may live in temporary accommodation. The member and dependants are entitled to a settling out allowance each. 

2.

The settling out period begins on the day permanent accommodation becomes unavailable, because of the completion of the member’s posting. The settling out period ends on the day the member’s period of posting ends.

3.

The settling out period cannot be longer than two weeks.

Exception: The CDF may extend this period, if a longer period in temporary accommodation is required.

 

Note: The settling-in period of eligibility will be as short as possible and may be less the maximum period specified.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 14.5.4.3 on behalf of the Secretary/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

Head of 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

-       Manager Personnel Administration Centre

A person authorised to manage Defence personnel administration at the specified overseas post who locally engage staff (LES) who is:

-       Secretary (Defence) Berlin

-       Defence Administrative Assistant Baghdad

-       Defence Office Manager Islamabad

-       Research and Finance Officer Paris

-       Personnel Assistant to Defence Attaché Ankara

-       Defence Office Manager Ottawa

-       Defence Administration Assistant – New Delhi

-       Manager Defence Administration – London

14.5.5    Settling in/settling out allowance

1.

If arriving at or leaving the posting location within the periods outlined in this Division, these entitlements apply.

 

Item

For...

the allowance for each complete day is...

1.

the member and each dependant 12 years or older

two-thirds of the amount listed for meals at the member's location in Annex 13.3.A.

2.

each dependant less than 12 years old

two-thirds of the amount in item 1.

 

2.

If the accommodation tariff includes the cost of a meal, the amount of meals supplement under subclause 1 is to be reduced by the amounts in this table.

 

Item

For...

the allowance is to be reduced by...

1.

breakfast

25%.

2.

lunch

25%.

3.

dinner

50%.

 

3.

On the first and last days of a period, the entitlement is worked out by multiplying the amounts in subclause 1 by the applicable percentages in this table.

 

Item

Local time of arrival or departure

% rate for day of arrival

% rate for day of departure

1.

Before 0700

100

Nil

2.

0700 – 1300

75

25

3.

1301 – 1900

50

50

4.

After 1900

Nil

100

 

4.

A member is not entitled to meals supplement in these situations.

 

a.

If the member or dependant has meals provided or paid for by the Commonwealth.

Example: The member is away on short-term duty at another overseas location. The member has their meal costs paid by the Commonwealth, but not under this Part.

 

b.

During the member's recreation leave, including weekends and public holidays during the leave.

 

c.

While the member occupies accommodation with facilities to allow the member to prepare a cooked meal.

5.

If a member and their spouse or interdependent partner would both be eligible under this Part, only the member on full overseas living allowance is entitled to the settling in or settling out allowance.

See: Chapter 15 Part 2, Overseas living allowance

 

PACMAN                                             AL6 (April 2009)                                                Chapter 14 – Part 5 – 1