Division 1: Evacuations

14.6.3    Evacuation
14.6.4    Member this Division applies to
14.6.5    Period of evacuation
14.6.6    Transport for evacuation
14.6.7    Accommodation and meals during evacuation
14.6.8    Conditions of service during evacuation
14.6.9    Overseas living allowance
14.6.10   Purchase of clothes during evacuation
14.6.11   Storage during evacuation
14.6.12   Health assistance
14.6.13   Education assistance during evacuation
14.6.14   Reunion visits during evacuation
14.6.15   Loss or damage to possessions
14.6.16   Extraordinary costs incurred at the posting location

14.6.3    Evacuation

 

Evacuation means members and dependants are directed by the Commonwealth to withdraw from the location. This is because of international relations, political, security or other special circumstances at the location.

14.6.4    Member this Division applies to

 

This Division applies to members and their dependants, authorised by the CDF in these situations.

 

a.

A member and dependants are directed to evacuate a posting location, because of an emergency.

 

b.

A member’s dependants are given the option to voluntarily depart from the location.

Examples: Environmental hazard or civil unrest

 

Note: Evacuations may not necessarily be to Australia. They are generally temporary, with the intention of returning to the posting location. Detailed administrative instructions will accompany the authorisation to evacuate.

14.6.5    Period of evacuation

1.

For entitlements, the evacuation period begins on the day the member or dependant is evacuated from the posting location.

2.

This table lists when the period ends.

 

Item

For a...

the period ends on the earliest of the day when...

1.

member

a.  the member returns to the posting location.

b.  the member's posting is terminated.

c.  the member begins living permanently in Australia or a new posting location.

2.

dependants

a.  the dependant returns to the posting location.

b.  the member leaves the posting location because of termination of the member’s posting.

c.  the dependant begins living permanently in Australia or at a location other than the posting location.

14.6.6    Transport for evacuation

1.

Transport for evacuation is by the means and class of travel available at short notice.

2.

The Commonwealth will pay any excess baggage charges.

14.6.7    Accommodation and meals during evacuation

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 68.

1.

If a member or dependant is evacuated from the posting location, the member is entitled to be reimbursed these costs.

 

a.

The member’s or dependant’s accommodation at the evacuation location.

 

b.

Settling in allowance as if the member or dependant met both these conditions.

 

i.

They were arriving at the evacuation location as if it were a posting location.

 

ii

They were staying in accommodation without facilities for them to prepare a cooked meal.

2.

If a member or dependant is evacuated to Australia, they are entitled to two-thirds of the amount as if settling in or out. This is worked out as if the member were temporarily performing duty in Canberra for less than 21 days.

See: Chapter 14 Part 5, Settling in and out

14.6.8    Conditions of service during evacuation

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 69.

1.

During an evacuation the normal long-term posting provisions apply.

See: Chapter 15, Living and working on long-term posting overseas

2.

During evacuation, overseas living allowance continues. This is as if the member or dependant had not been evacuated from the location. Similarly, the member must continue to pay the same rent and utilities contribution.

3.

The Commonwealth will also continue to pay these costs.

 

a.

Telephone rental.

 

b.

Utilities.

 

c.

Employment of any domestic or gardening assistance.

14.6.9    Overseas living allowance

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 70.

 

The member is entitled to these payments for the period of evacuation.

 

a.

Overseas living allowance that would have applied had they not been evacuated.

See: Chapter 15 Part 2, Overseas living allowance

 

b.

Any unavoidable costs incurred at the posting location.

See: Clause 15.2.32, Continuing and unavoidable costs during absence

14.6.10   Purchase of clothes during evacuation

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 71.

1.

If a member or dependant is evacuated from the overseas posting location, the member may be reimbursed the cost of clothes and other personal items.

2.

The CDF must decide it is essential for the member or dependant to buy clothes or other personal items to live at the evacuation location. The CDF must consider all these criteria.

 

a.

The circumstances of the evacuation of the member or dependant.

 

b.

The locations involved in the evacuation.

 

c.

The expected duration of the evacuation.

 

d.

Any other factor relevant to the evacuation.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 14.6.10.2 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

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

14.6.11   Storage during evacuation

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 72.

 

If a member is evacuated from their posting location, they are entitled to have these items stored at Commonwealth expense, for the period of evacuation.

 

a.

Items as if moving from one residence to another at the posting location.

See: Chapter 15 Part 4 Division 1 clause 15.4.10, Changing housing during posting

 

b.

A private vehicle owned by the member or dependant.

14.6.12   Health assistance

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 73.

 

A member and dependants may incur medical, dental and hospital costs at an overseas evacuation centre. The Commonwealth will pay these costs, as if the member and dependants were still at the posting location.

See: Chapter 15 Part 5, Excess health costs

14.6.13   Education assistance during evacuation

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 74.

1.

A member's child may be evacuated from the posting location to another overseas location. This clause applies as if the member was on long-term posting to the other location, for the period of the evacuation.

2.

A member's child may be evacuated from the member's location back to Australia. If the child continues to study the curriculum of the school at the posting location, these benefits continue to apply. These are as if the child were attending the school at the posting location, for the period of the evacuation. 

 

a.

Clause 15.6.11, Education assistance entitlement – general.

 

b.

Clause 15.6.12, School transport costs.

 

c.

Clause 15.6.13, Compulsory examination fees.

 

d.

Clause 15.6.14, Foreign language tuition.

 

e.

Clause 15.6.15, Remedial tuition.

See: Chapter 15 Part 6, Education costs for children

3.

The CDF can pay an amount considered reasonable for additional costs incurred as a result of distance education mode.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 14.6.13.3 on behalf of the Secretary/CDF:

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

14.6.14   Reunion visits during evacuation

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 75.

1.

During a period of evacuation, a member may travel from the posting location to another location for a reunion visit with dependants. In this case, the member is entitled to be reimbursed these costs.

 

a.

Return travel by the member and dependants to the location during the period of evacuation. This is as if the travel were reunion travel under Chapter 15 Part 3 Division 3, Reunion Travel.

 

b.

Accommodation that the CDF considers suitable at the location for the period of the reunion visit. The CDF must consider all these criteria.

 

i.

The cooking and dining facilities in the accommodation.

 

ii.

If the facilities are similar to those generally available in an apartment.

 

iii.

The services provided in the accommodation.

2.

Under this clause, the total period of reunion visits in a year must be no longer than the period of recreation leave accrued for a year’s service at the member’s posting location.

3.

In addition to this clause, the member and dependant are still entitled to travel under Chapter 16 Part 4, Assisted leave travel. This must be to a regional leave centre or relief centre within the meaning of that Part.

 

Persons who can make the decision under paragraph 14.6.14.1.b on behalf of the Secretary/CDF:

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

14.6.15   Loss or damage to possessions

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.B, item 76.

 

The Commonwealth provides an amount for any lost or damaged possessions owing to an evacuation.

See: Division 3, Loss or damage to possessions overseas

14.6.16   Extraordinary costs incurred at the posting location

 

The CDF may reimburse a member who must remain at the posting location for any extraordinary costs incurred.

See: Chapter 16 Part 7, Extraordinary costs

 

Persons who can make the decision under clause 14.6.16 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

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

 

 

Note – taxation (This note is policy guidance)

 

Entitlements relating to evacuation are not subject to personal income tax, or reportable as fringe benefits.

 

PACMAN                                                             AL1 (October 2008)                             Chapter 14 – Part 6 Division 1 – 1