Division 4: Members posted to seagoing ships and nuships

7.3.26   Purpose
7.3.27   Member this Division applies to
7.3.28   This Division does not apply to a member posted to a seagoing submarine
7.3.29   Definitions
7.3.30   Basis
7.3.31   Unaccompanied member with dependants posted to a seagoing ship
7.3.32   Accommodation on board for seagoing member
7.3.33   Accommodation ashore for seagoing member
7.3.34   Contributions for accommodation ashore
7.3.35   Accommodation and contributions for seagoing member on temporary duty
7.3.36   Contribution when ship is uninhabitable
7.3.37   Food allowance for seagoing member in temporary accommodation ashore
7.3.38   Laundry allowance for seagoing member in temporary accommodation ashore

7.3.26   Purpose

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 125.

 

This Division sets out when a member must pay for meals and accommodation while posted to a seagoing vessel or a nuship.

7.3.27   Member this Division applies to

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 125.

 

This Division applies to a member posted to a seagoing ship or a nuship. It sets out their accommodation and meal entitlements.

See: Part 7 for more information on meals.

7.3.28   This Division does not apply to a member posted to a seagoing submarine

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 125.

 

This Division does not apply to a member posted to a seagoing submarine. These members are entitled to the special housing and meals assistance summarised in this table.

 

Item

Assistance for members posted to a seagoing submarine

Reference

1.

Exemption from living-in contributions

Division 3 paragraph 7.3.22.1.d

2.

Exemption from rent contributions

Part 6 Division 3 paragraph 7.6.18.b

3.

Transitional food allowance while on rent allowance

Part 7 Division 2 clause 7.7.17

4.

Assistance with the cost of utilities

Part 8 clause 7.8.3

 

7.3.29   Definitions

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 125.

 

This table defines terms used in this Division.

 

Term

Definition in this Division

Nuship

A Navy ship that is being built, upgraded or trialed. It is not yet commissioned into naval service.

On-board member

A member who chooses not to keep on-shore accommodation at the ship’s home port or refitting port.

Example: On-shore accommodation could be living-in accommodation, a Service residence or a home that the member gets rent allowance for.

Shore member

A member who keeps on-shore accommodation at the ship’s home port or refitting port.

Example: Living-in accommodation, Service residence or home that rent allowance is payable for.

Uninhabitable vessel

A vessel that the CDF declares unfit to live in. A member cannot live on board when the vessel is alongside. The CDF's decision is based on any of these issues.

a. Environment.

b. Maintenance.

c. Crew comfort.

d. Whether there are galley facilities for catering.

 

Persons who can make the decision under clause 7.3.29, definition for uninhabitable vessel, on behalf of the CDF:

Commanding Officer or Officer Commanding not below MAJ(E) in the member's direct chain of command.

7.3.30   Basis

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 125.

 

This Division applies these principles to living-in entitlements for members posted to seagoing vessels and Nuships.

 

a.

Members who have chosen to live on board their ship do not pay for accommodation or meals taken on board.

See: Definition of an on-board member in clause 7.3.29.

 

b.

Members who choose not to live on board their ship are only entitled to meals on board when they are on duty there over a meal period.

See: Definition of a shore member in clause 7.3.29.

 

c.

Members entitled to free meals on board while on duty may be entitled to take those meals in a mess ashore when the ship's galley is not operating.

 

Note: (This note is policy guidance)

While this Part covers most situations, there will be cases when further guidance is required. In the first instance, guidance is to be sought from Maritime Headquarters, who will consult Director Entitlements about arrangements not covered by this Part. Approval and provision of funding for temporary shore-based accommodation is to be sought from Director Budgets and Financial Management.

7.3.31   ...
7.3.32   Accommodation on board for seagoing member

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 125.

1.

These members may live on board when posted to a seagoing ship.

 

a.

A member without dependants.

Exception: A member who has a suitable own home in the ship's home port.

 

b.

A member with dependants (unaccompanied).

2.

Subclause 1 does not apply if the CDF decides the ship is uninhabitable.

 

Example 1: A minor war vessel is alongside in the home port. The crew are not permitted to live on board. The vessel is always uninhabitable. A member cannot choose to live on board.

 

Example 2: A major war vessel is temporarily uninhabitable. It stays this way for over six months. The crew is normally allowed to live on board. While the ship is uninhabitable, the crew is not allowed to live on board. No-one can choose to live on board in this period.

7.3.33   Accommodation ashore for seagoing member

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 125.

1.

If they are posted to a seagoing ship, these members may choose to occupy living-in accommodation in the ship's home port.

 

a.

A member without dependants.

Exception: A member who has a suitable own home in the ship's home port.

 

b.

A member with dependants (unaccompanied).

 

Exception: There is no living-in accommodation available for the member.

See: Division 1 clause 7.3.7, Member who may choose to live in.

2.

Subject to subclause 4, if the member is not required to live in, then they may choose to live out.

See: Division 1 clause 7.3.9, Member who can choose to live out.

3.

Subject to subclause 4, if no living-in accommodation is available, clause 7.3.10 entitles the member to rent allowance.

4.

A member whose on-board accommodation becomes uninhabitable may be eligible for temporary shore-based accommodation in this order for up to six months. This depends on availability.

 

a.

Living-in accommodation and meals.

 

b.

A commercial accommodation and meals package paid for by the Navy.

 

c.

Commercial accommodation paid for by the Navy, with use of the travel card or travelling allowance to assist with meal costs.

 

d.

Accommodation for which rent allowance is payable.

 

Exception: A shore member who is on duty away from their home port for six months or more is not entitled to retain living-in accommodation at the home port. The member is entitled to a removal.

Related Information:
Division 1
clause 7.3.7, Member who may choose to live in.
Chapter 9 Part 5, for information on travel card and allowance.

7.3.34   Contributions for accommodation ashore

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 125.

1.

A member without dependants who lives in ashore must pay a contribution to live in. They must pay when the ship is alongside in its home port. They stop paying after an absence at sea of 21 days.

Note: This means that the contributions stop on the 22nd day the member is living on a seagoing ship.

See: Division 3 paragraph 7.3.22.2.b, Members who do not pay to live in.

2.

An on-board member who lives in ashore because their ship is uninhabitable for less than six months does not have to pay the contribution under subclause 1.

3.

An on-board member who lives in ashore because their ship is uninhabitable for six months or more must pay the contribution under subclause 1.

7.3.35   Accommodation and contributions for seagoing member on temporary duty

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 125.

1.

A ship may sail from its home port and loan a crew member to another unit for temporary duty. This clause applies to those members

2.

This table shows the following.

 

a.

The member's eligibility to live in.

 

b.

The type of accommodation the member will be eligible for.

 

c.

Whether the member must contribute to the cost of their accommodation, meals and utilities.

 

Item

A member who is...

and who is on temporary duty...

has this accommodation entitlement...

and their contribution for the accommodation is...

1.

a shore member

in the ship's home port

their existing entitlement to accommodation ashore

the contribution that applies to the member under 7.3.16 or Chapter 7 Part 5 or 6.

2.

a shore member

away from the ship's home port

whichever of these applies to the member.

a. They may choose to live in and eat in the mess under clause 7.3.7 and Chapter 7 Part 7.

b. If living-in accommodation is not available, they are entitled to use the Defence travel card or travelling allowance.

 

nil while they contribute for living-in accommodation in their home port.

See: Division 3 clause 7.3.23.

3.

an on-board member

in the ship's home port

whichever of these applies to the member.

a. They may choose to live in and eat in the mess under clause 7.3.7 and Chapter 7 Part 7.

b. If living-in accommodation is not available, they are entitled to use the Defence travel card or travelling allowance.

 

nil.

4.

an on-board member

away from the ship's home port

whichever of these applies to the member.

a. They may choose to live in and eat in the mess under clause 7.3.7 and Chapter 7 Part 7.

b. If living-in accommodation is not available, they are entitled to use the Defence travel card or travelling allowance.

nil.

7.3.36   Contribution when ship is uninhabitable

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 125.

1.

This clause applies to a member posted to a seagoing vessel or Nuship when they are required to live ashore because their ship is uninhabitable.

Example: A ship may be uninhabitable when members are not permitted to live in it because it is alongside for maintenance or in refit.

2.

This table shows how on-board and shore members must contribute to the cost of living-in accommodation, meals and utilities.

See:
Division 2 for contribution rates that apply to living-in accommodation.
Part 7 Division 1 for contribution rates for meals.
Part 8 for contribution rates for utilities.

 

On-board member contributions – ship uninhabitable

 

If the ship is...

for a period of...

then if they live in, the member must contribute...

1.

at the home port

less than six months

nil.

2.

at the home port

six months or more

the amount for accommodation, utilities and meals that applies for their rank, level of accommodation and mess arrangements.

3.

away from the home port

less than six months

nil.

4.

away from the home port

six months or more

the amount for accommodation, utilities and meals that applies for their rank, level of accommodation and mess arrangements.

Shore member contributions – ship uninhabitable

 

If the ship is...

for a period of...

then if they live in, the member must contribute...

5.

at the home port

less than six months

the amount for accommodation, utilities and meals that applies for their rank, level of accommodation and mess arrangements.

6.

at the home port

six months or more

the amount for accommodation, utilities and meals that applies for their rank, level of accommodation and mess arrangements.

7.

away from the home port

less than six months

nil, while they contribute for living-in accommodation in their home port.

Otherwise, the amount for accommodation, utilities and meals that applies for their rank, level of accommodation and mess arrangements.

See: Division 3 clause 7.3.23.

8.

away from the home port

six months or more

the amount for accommodation, utilities and meals that applies for their rank, level of accommodation and mess arrangements.

Note: The member is not entitled to keep their living-in accommodation in the ship's home port.

 

 

Note: For members with dependants (unaccompanied), the contribution is nil.

7.3.37   Food allowance for seagoing member in temporary accommodation ashore

1.

A member is entitled to a food allowance if all these conditions are met.

 

a.

They are posted to a seagoing ship or a nuship.

 

b.

The ship is temporarily an uninhabitable vessel.

 

c.

They are required to occupy temporary commercial accommodation ashore.

 

d.

The accommodation has cooking facilities.

2.

The rates of food allowance are set out in this table.

 

Item

If the member is…

the weekly rate is ($)…

1.

a member provided with lunch at Commonwealth expense

63

2.

any other member

86

 

Related Information: Chapter 7 Part 7 Division 1, Meal contributions.

7.3.38   Laundry allowance for seagoing member in temporary accommodation ashore

 

A member is entitled to a laundry allowance of $7 a week if all these conditions are met.

 

a.

They are posted to a seagoing ship or a nuship.

 

b.

The ship is temporarily an uninhabitable vessel.

 

c.

They are required to occupy temporary commercial accommodation ashore.

 

d.

The accommodation has no free laundry facilities.

 

PACMAN                                                         AL11 (November 2007)                              Chapter 7 ‑ Part 3 Division 4 ‑ 1