Division 4: Rates of allowance and advance payment

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 126, 127 & 128.

7.4.19   Rate of allowance – hotel or serviced apartment
7.4.20   Standard of accommodation
7.4.21   Meals – hotel or serviced apartment
7.4.22   Rate of allowance – other temporary accommodation
7.4.23   Meals – other temporary accommodation
7.4.24   Advance payment of allowance

7.4.19   Rate of allowance – hotel or serviced apartment

1.

This clause applies to a member whose temporary accommodation is a hotel or serviced apartment.

2.

The member's rate of temporary accommodation allowance is worked out using this formula.

Accommodation cost + meals amount + laundry – contribution

3.

These definitions apply to this clause.

 

Term

Definition

Accommodation cost

The cost of temporary accommodation for the member and any dependants. The accommodation must not be higher than the appropriate standard for the member.

 

See: Subclause 7.4.20.1 for the definition of 'appropriate standard'.

Meals amount

The amount set out in clause 7.4.21 or 7.4.23.

Laundry

Laundry costs for the member and any dependants. It may only be paid if the accommodation has no laundry facilities or if there is a charge for using them. Commercial laundering costs are paid only if a laundromat is not reasonably available.

Exception: Laundry does not include dry cleaning.

Contribution

The amount the member must pay towards accommodation, meals and utilities.

See: Clause 7.4.26 for the contribution a member must pay.

Note: No contribution is payable for larder allowance under subclause 7.4.21.6.

7.4.20   Standard of accommodation

1.

The accommodation is an appropriate standard if it costs no more than the accommodation rate listed in Annex 9.5.A for the location and member's rank.

 

See: Annex 9.5.A, Amounts for accommodation, meals and incidentals for travelling allowance and travel card

2.

If the member's accommodation costs more than the appropriate standard, the cost for subclause 1 is the amount that the CDF considers reasonable. The CDF must consider all these criteria.

 

a.

The member’s rank.

 

b.

The number, age, gender and needs of any dependants.

 

c.

If accommodation is available at the suitable standard.

 

d.

Any other factor relevant to the member’s accommodation needs.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 7.4.20.2 on behalf of the CDF:

A person not below WO2(E)/APS 4 who is:

-      Team Leader in the Housing Management Centre (HMC)

-      Relocations Manager in the Housing Management Centre

-      Housing Management Centre Manager

-      National Operations – Removals Manager

-      National Operations – Vacancy/Allocations Manager

-      National Relocations Manager

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

Contract Manager Relocation Services

Assistant Director Operations

Director Relocation and Housing

7.4.21   Meals – hotel or serviced apartment

1.

A member is entitled to an amount for meals for the following kinds of accommodation and periods.

 

a.

A hotel – for the total period the member occupies it.

 

b.

A serviced apartment – for less than seven days.

See: Subclause 2 for the rates for a member and any dependants 10 or more years old.

See: Subclause 3 for the rates of dependants under 10 years old.

See: Subclause 6 for what happens if the member and any dependants occupy a serviced apartment for seven days or more.

2.

The amount of allowance for meals taken by the member and any dependants 10 or more years old is prescribed in the following table.

 

Item

The meal amount for…

in capital cities and
high-cost country centres* is ($)…

and in other locations is ($)…

1.

breakfast

22.30

19.95

2.

lunch

25.00

22.80

3.

dinner

43.00

39.30

 

* See: Annex 9.5.A Part 3, 'Location' column for the list of high-cost country centres.

 

3.

The amount of allowance for meals taken by dependants under 10 years old is prescribed in the following table.

 

Item

The meal amount for…

in capital cities and
high-cost country centres* is ($)…

and in other locations is ($)…

1.

breakfast

11.15

10.00

2.

lunch

12.50

11.40

3.

dinner

21.50

19.65

 

* See: Annex 9.5.A Part 3, 'Location' column for the list of high-cost country centres.

 

 

Example: A member uses temporary accommodation for two nights in Newcastle, which is a high-cost country centre. The member is travelling with a spouse, one child aged eight and another aged 12. They are entitled to three meals on each of two days. Their total meal allowance is $597.82, worked out as follows.

 

Member

Spouse

Child aged 12

(adult rates)

Child aged 8

(dependants under 10 years old rates)

Lunch

$25.00

Lunch

$25.00

Lunch

$25.00

Lunch

$12.50

Dinner

$43.00

Dinner

$43.00

Dinner

$43.00

Dinner

$21.50

Breakfast

$22.30

Breakfast

$22.30

Breakfast

$22.30

Breakfast

$11.15

Lunch

$25.00

Lunch

$25.00

Lunch

$25.00

Lunch

$12.50

Dinner

$43.00

Dinner

$43.00

Dinner

$43.00

Dinner

$21.50

Breakfast

$22.30

Breakfast

$22.30

Breakfast

$22.30

Breakfast

$11.15

Total

$180.60

Total

$180.60

Total

$180.60

Total

$90.30

 

4.

The CDF may be satisfied that the member and any dependants needed to spend more on meals than the amount set out in the tables in subclauses 2 and 3. In this case, the CDF may approve a greater amount that the CDF considers reasonable.

5.

For subclause 4, the CDF must consider all these criteria.

 

a.

The nature and amount of expenses.

 

b.

The general cost of meals at the location.

 

c.

Any other factor relevant to the amount spent.

6.

This subclause applies if the member and any dependants occupy a serviced apartment for seven days or more, as follows.

 

a.

The member is entitled to a larder allowance worked out under paragraph b. This is a once-only lump-sum payment to allow a member to stock their kitchen.

 

b.

The larder allowance is 75% of the total meal amount for five breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners, for the member and each dependant. Amounts are worked out using the tables in subclauses 2 and 3.

 

c.

The member is not required to pay any contribution for meals in the period for which larder allowance is paid. They must still pay rent and utilities contributions for this period.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 7.4.21.4 on behalf of the CDF:

A person not below WO2(E)/APS 4 who is:

-     Team Leader in the Housing Management Centre (HMC)

-     Relocations Manager in the Housing Management Centre

-     Housing Management Centre Manager

-     National Operations – Removals Manager

-     National Operations – Vacancy/Allocations Manager

-     National Relocations Manager

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

Contract Manager Relocation Services

Assistant Director Operations

Director Relocation and Housing

7.4.22   Rate of allowance – other temporary accommodation

1.

This clause applies if temporary accommodation for a member is not a hotel or serviced apartment.

Examples: Boarding house, guest house, bed and breakfast, caravan park, private arrangements such as staying with friends or relatives.

2.

The rate of temporary accommodation allowance is the rate the CDF considers reasonable. This is subject to subclause 3. 

3.

The rate of allowance must not be more than the difference between these two amounts.

 

a.

The member's costs for accommodation, meals and utilities, including for any dependants.

 

b.

The contribution the member would make to their total accommodation costs under clause 7.4.26.

See: Division 5 clause 7.4.26, Rate of contribution

 

Example: A member takes temporary accommodation at a guest house for a week with their non-member spouse and two children of the same gender under 13 years old. The total cost of the accommodation is $300. The member must contribute $120 to the cost. (The actual contribution will depend on the member's rank and is specified in Annex 7.A1 Part 1). Their rate of temporary accommodation allowance must not be more than $180.

4.

For subclause 2, the CDF must consider all these criteria.

 

a.

The amount the member spends.

 

b.

The number, age, gender and needs of the member's dependants.

 

c.

The kind of temporary accommodation available.

 

d.

The cost of the appropriate standard of accommodation for the member.

 

e.

Any other factor relevant to the member’s temporary accommodation.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 7.4.22.2 on behalf of the CDF:

A person not below WO2(E)/APS 4 who is:

-      Team Leader in the Housing Management Centre (HMC)

-      Relocations Manager in the Housing Management Centre

-      Housing Management Centre Manager

-      National Operations – Removals Manager

-      National Operations – Vacancy/Allocations Manager

-      National Relocations Manager

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

Contract Manager Relocation Services

Assistant Director Operations

Director Relocation and Housing

7.4.23   Meals – other temporary accommodation

1.

For subclause 7.4.22.3, the meal cost part of the allowance is limited.

 

a.

If a member paid more for meals than the rates in the table in subclause 7.4.21.3, those costs cannot be paid.

 

Exception: Meals taken at the place of accommodation.

 

b.

If the member and dependants take more than half their meals outside the place of accommodation, they are not entitled to temporary accommodation allowance for those meals. This is unless the CDF considers it reasonable that the costs be paid.

2.

For paragraph 1.b, the CDF must consider all the criteria listed in subclause 7.4.22.4.

 

Persons who can make the decision under paragraph 7.4.23.1.b on behalf of the CDF:

A person not below WO2(E)/APS 4 who is:

-     Team Leader in the Housing Management Centre (HMC)

-     Relocations Manager in the Housing Management Centre

-     Housing Management Centre Manager

-     National Operations – Removals Manager

-     National Operations – Vacancy/Allocations Manager

-     National Relocations Manager

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

Contract Manager Relocation Services

Assistant Director Operations

Director Relocation and Housing

7.4.24   Advance payment of allowance

1.

The CDF may advance up to 14 days' temporary accommodation allowance to a member at one time. This table sets out what may be advanced.

 

Item

If the temporary accommodation is a…

then the member may be advanced…

1.

hotel or motel

accommodation and meal costs as assessed for the approved period, less the contribution they must pay.

2.

serviced apartment for less than seven days

3.

serviced apartment for seven days or more

accommodation costs only, less the contribution they must pay.

The larder allowance under paragraph 7.4.21.6.b may be paid along with the advance.

 

2.

The member must give the CDF written evidence that the previous advance has been used. The CDF may then decide to provide another advance.

 

Persons who can make the decisions under subclause 7.4.24.1 and subclause 7.4.24.2 on behalf of the CDF:

A person not below WO2(E)/APS 4 who is:

-     Team Leader in the Housing Management Centre (HMC)

-     Relocations Manager in the Housing Management Centre

-     Housing Management Centre Manager

-     National Operations – Removals Manager

-     National Operations – Vacancy/Allocations Manager

-     National Relocations Manager

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

Contract Manager Relocation Services

Assistant Director Operations

Director Relocation and Housing

 

PACMAN                                                                  AL16 (March 2010)                                    Chapter 7 – Part 4 Division 4 – 1