PACMAN Chapter 7 Part 7 Division 1: Contribution for meals

1.	Subject to this Division, a member who eats in the mess regularly under clause 7.7.4, table item 1, must pay a fortnightly meal charge to cover part of the cost of those meals. Exceptions:
	a.	A member covered by clause 7.7.8, Contribution for meals not payable.
	b.	A member on leave without pay (see clause 7.7.10).
2.	A member who lives out must make the choice under clause 7.7.4, table item 1, in writing.
3.	The amount of contribution depends on the member's rank. This table sets out the contribution amounts.

Item	If the member is…	then the fortnightly meal charge is ($)…
1.	a. a Corporal or lower; or b. a trainee	142.30.
2.	a. a Sergeant or higher non-commissioned rank; or b. a Warrant Officer	162.10.
3.	an officer (other than trainee)	182.50.

4.	If this clause applies to a member for a period longer than one day, they do not pay the contribution on the last day of the period.

7.7.6 Member's choice not to be provided with meals

1.	A member may choose not to take regular meals in the mess under clause 7.7.4, table item 2. A member who lives in must make that choice in writing. Exception: A member doing initial recruit training is not entitled to make the choice. They must pay the contribution for regular fortnightly meals.
2.	A choice made under subclause 1 at a posting location stays in force until the earlier of these events.
	a.	The member cancels the choice.
	b.	The member's posting at the location ends.
3.	A member may not cancel a choice within three months of making the choice.

Subject to this Division, a member who chooses not to take regular meals under clause 7.7.6 must pay the Commonwealth a casual meal charge if they eat a meal in the mess. The amount depends on their rank. The table below sets out the amounts.

Exception 1:

A member covered by clause 7.7.8, Contribution for meals not payable.

Exception 2:

A member on leave without pay (see clause 7.7.10).

Item	If the member is…	then the casual meal charge is ($)…
		Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
1.	a. a Corporal or lower; or b. a trainee	4.00	6.00	6.00
2.	a. a Sergeant or higher non-commissioned rank; or b. a Warrant Officer	5.00	6.00	6.00
3.	an officer (other than trainee)	6.00	7.00	7.00

7.7.8 Contribution for meals not payable

1.	Unless clause 7.7.9 applies, a member who lives in does not have to pay a contribution for meals if they meet any of these conditions.
	a.	They are not paying a contribution for living-in accommodation. See: Part 3 Division 3.
	b.	They are absent on leave for more than 72 hours.
	c.	They are entitled to travelling allowance or use of the travel card. Exception: Travelling allowance for part-day travel.
	d.	They are living under field conditions or on a seagoing ship.
2.	A Reserve recruit during basic recruit training does not have to pay a contribution for meals.
	Related Information: Item 1 of Part 2 of Schedule B.13 to DFRT Determination No. 15 of 2008, Salaries.

7.7.9 Member who must contribute for meals

Subject to this Division, these members must pay a contribution for meals as set out in this table.

Item	A member who is...	must contribute for meals on this basis...
1.	a normal entry recruit during basic recruit training. Related Information: Item 1 of Part 1 of Schedule B.13 to DFRT Determination No. 15 of 2008, Salaries. Exception: A member of the Reserves. See: Subclause 7.7.8.2, Contribution for meals not payable	regular fortnightly contribution under clause 7.7.5.
2.	a member without dependants who does not have to pay a contribution for living-in accommodation because they are sharing with other persons	either of these contributions, depending on the type of meals service they have chosen. a. Regular fortnightly contribution under clause 7.7.5. b. Casual meal charges under clause 7.7.7.
3.	a member who occupies temporary living-in accommodation below level 1 standard See: Clause 7.3.11, Level of living-in accommodation.	either of these contributions, depending on the type of meals service they have chosen. a. Regular fortnightly contribution under clause 7.7.5. b. Casual meal charges under clause 7.7.7.

7.7.10 Member on leave without pay

This clause applies to a member who lives in while on leave without pay.

Exception: A member on part-time leave without pay.

The member must pay the Commonwealth a casual meal charge at the rate set out in this table for each meal they have in a mess while on leave.

Item	Description of member	Breakfast ($)	Lunch ($)	Dinner ($)
1.	Corporal or lower, trainee	12.20	13.00	23.50
2.	Sergeant or higher non‑commissioned rank, Warrant Officer, officer (other than trainee)	20.40	21.70	39.30

The CDF may decide that the member was granted the leave without pay for exceptional reasons. In this case, the member must pay whichever of the following charges they were paying before they started leave without pay.

A fortnightly meal charge.

See: Clause 7.7.5, Fortnightly meal charges

The casual meal charge.

See: Clause 7.7.7, Casual meal charges

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 7.7.10.3 on behalf of the CDF:

Director General Navy People

Director Navy Personnel Policy

Director Navy Employment Conditions

Director General Personnel – Air Force

Director Personnel Capability Management – Air Force

Deputy Director Personnel Concepts and Policy – Air Force

Director General Personnel – Army

Director Personnel Policy – Army

7.7.11 Meals in a mess for a lower rank

A member who takes meals in a mess for members with a lower rank must pay the meal costs contribution for that mess.

7.7.12 Meals without steward service

1.	This clause applies to a member who meets both these conditions.
	a.	They are an officer (but not a trainee), a warrant officer or a senior non-commissioned officer.
	b.	They take meals in a mess where there is no attendant to serve meals to each member at the table.
2.	The member's contribution or casual meal charge (whichever applies) is worked out as if they had the rank of Corporal or lower.

7.7.13 Reserve member eating in a Service mess

1.	A member on Reserve service must pay the casual meal charge that applies to them in the mess where they take a meal.
2.	A Reserve member who is not on Reserve service or in training is not entitled to subsidised meals in a service mess. They must pay the rate charged to non-Defence civilians under the Defence Chief Executive Instructions.

Guidance only – Defence APS employee eating in a mess

See: Chief Executive Instructions, item 7.1.40. In most cases, the casual meal charge under this Part will apply.

PACMAN AL10 (August 2011) Chapter 7 ‑ Part 7 Division 1 – 1