15.4.22 Purpose
15.4.23 Maintaining a household in
Australia
15.4.24 Substandard housing
15.4.25 Reductions of rent and utilities contribution
during short-term hardship
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The purpose of this Division is to provide a member with a reduction in their rent and utilities contributions in some situations. |
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1. |
In some cases, a member on a long-term posting may need to establish and maintain a household in Australia. If this is to accommodate a dependant, then the member is entitled to a reduction in their rent contribution. |
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2. |
The CDF decides the amount of the reduction in rent. It can be up to the whole of the member's rent contribution specified in column 2 of Annex 15.4.B, Rent and utilities contribution. |
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3. |
The member does not have to pay a utilities contribution. |
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4. |
For a member to receive a reduction in their rent contribution, the CDF must consider all these criteria. |
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a. |
The costs incurred by the member. |
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b. |
The reason the member established the household. |
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c. |
The location where the dependant lives before and after the beginning of the member's posting. |
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d. |
The age and welfare of the dependant. |
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e. |
The financial circumstances of the member and the dependant. |
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f. |
Any other factor relevant to the establishment and maintenance of a household. |
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5. |
The member is not entitled to a reduction of rent contribution for a child, for a period when they are also entitled to assistance with boarding school costs for the child. |
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Persons who can make the decision under subclause 15.4.23.2 on behalf of the Secretary/CDF: A person working in the Personnel Administration Centre in - Overseas Administration Team Leader - Personnel Administration Manager Specialist - Civilian and Overseas Personnel Administration Centre Manager - Director Personnel Administration Centre |
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1. |
This clause applies to a member who lives in substandard housing. This clause does not apply to housing rented privately. |
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2. |
If the member is required to make a payment for living in this type of housing, then this payment is taken to be a rent and utilities contribution made to the Commonwealth. |
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3. |
The CDF may reduce in whole or in part the rent and utilities contribution that the member is liable to pay for a residence at a particular location. The CDF must consider all these criteria. |
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a. |
The size, configuration, condition and surroundings of the residence. |
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b. |
The nature and quality of the utilities supplied to the residence. |
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c. |
If the hardship allowance grading for the long-term posting location takes into account the deficiencies in the housing. |
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4. |
Reductions of this nature are a short-term solution. If possible, the member should find more suitable accommodation on the local rental market. |
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Persons who can make the decision under subclause 15.4.24.3 on behalf of the Secretary/CDF: For remissions of up to 25% of the contribution: 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 For remissions of over 25% of the contribution: A person working in the Personnel Administration Centre in - Overseas Administration Team Leader - Personnel Administration Manager Specialist - Civilian and Overseas Personnel Administration Centre Manager - Director Personnel Administration Centre |
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1. |
A short-term hardship may be one of these situations. |
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a. |
War. |
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b. |
Natural disaster. |
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c. |
Civil disorder. |
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d. |
Another similar event. |
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2. |
At times of short-term hardships, the Commonwealth may be unable to provide a member with housing and utilities of the quality normally available. The CDF may reduce the rent and utilities contribution. This may be up to the full rent and utilities contribution payable by the member. |
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3. |
The amount of the reduction must be equal to the reduction in the quality of the housing and utilities caused by the short-term hardship. When making a decision, the CDF must consider all these criteria. |
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a. |
The quality of accommodation and utilities normally available to the members at the location. |
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b. |
The nature and extent of any deficiency in the housing and utilities made available to the member. |
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c. |
The extent to which the deficiencies arise from the event and the expected timing of repairs to remedy the deficiencies. |
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Persons who can make the decision under subclause 15.4.25.2 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 A person working in the Personnel Administration Centre in - Overseas Administration Team Leader - Personnel Administration Manager Specialist - Civilian and Overseas Personnel Administration Centre Manager - Director Personnel Administration Centre |