Division 5: Attendance allowance

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 66.

4.8.21   Purpose
4.8.22   Definitions
4.8.23   Member this Division applies to
4.8.24   Member this Division does not apply to
4.8.25   Period of entitlement
4.8.26   Amount of allowance
4.8.27   Travel beyond 120 kilometres
4.8.28   Vehicle allowance not payable

4.8.21   Purpose

 

Attendance allowance assists a member with travel expenses when they must attend at a specified place in Australia to carry out Reserve service.

4.8.22   Definitions

Term

Definition in this Division

Specified place

One of these locations within Australia.

a.  The unit the member is permanently posted to.

b   The training depot or base where they normally carry out service if it is different from the unit they are posted to.

c.  If the member must travel by their own means from home to a designated transport terminal for further travel to the Reserve unit – the transport terminal.

Examples: From home by private car to a train or bus station. From home by train to an airport.

4.8.23   Member this Division applies to

 

This Division applies to a member who must attend at a specified place to carry out Reserve service, unless they travel to the specified place at Commonwealth expense.

4.8.24   Member this Division does not apply to

 

A member is not entitled to attendance allowance if either of the following circumstances apply to them.

 

a.

The member is a legal officer who is entitled to a sessional fee.

See: Division 1, Legal officer sessional fee

 

b.

The member holds the substantive rank of Brigadier or above.

4.8.25   Period of entitlement

 

This table outlines when attendance allowance can be paid.

 

Item

If the member attends on…

then the allowance is payable for...

1.

one day only

the first attendance on the day.

2.

consecutive days

a.  the first day they attend, if they are required to live in for Service reasons.

b.  each day they attend if:

i. they are not required to live in for Service reasons, or no living-in accommodation is available, and

ii. they return to their normal place of residence each day.

4.8.26   Amount of allowance

1.

The amount of allowance payable to a member is worked out according to the distance to the nearest whole kilometre.

2.

The distance is measured in a straight line between the member's usual residence and the specified place.

3.

This table shows the amounts that apply.

 

Distance (kms)

Amount ($)

25.5 or less

4.55

More than 25.5 to 60.5

10.80

More than 60.5 to 120

21.65

More than 120

27.05

 

 

Example: The calculated distance is 60.4 km. The member will be paid $10.80.

4.8.27   Travel beyond 120 kilometres

1.

When the member must attend a specified place more than 120 kilometres from where they usually live, the commanding officer may authorise travel at Commonwealth expense.

Note: Chapter 9 Part 5 Division 2 authorises travelling allowance if the commanding officer, acting on behalf of the CDF, considers it necessary for the member to stay overnight after a period of Reserve service.

See:
Chapter 9 Part 5 Division 2 clause 9.5.24, Following a period of Reserve service (Travel card)
Chapter 9 Part 5 Division 3 clause 9.5.42, Following a period of Reserve service (Travelling allowance)

Note: If the member travels at Commonwealth expense, they are not entitled to attendance allowance.

2.

If the member must travel more than 120 kilometres from where they usually live to the normal place of duty, the commanding officer must, where necessary, work out a parade routine for them that:

 

a.

takes into account their travelling arrangements, and

 

b.

balances the need for their attendance with the occupational health and safety responsibilities of the ADF.

4.8.28   Vehicle allowance not payable

 

A member cannot claim attendance allowance when they are entitled to vehicle allowance for travel to a specified place.

For information on vehicle allowance, see Chapter 9 Part 6.

 

PACMAN                                                             AL6 (April 2011)                                Chapter 4 ‑ Part 8 Division 5 – 1