PACMAN Chapter 9 Part 3 Division 2: Travel on breakdown of marriage or interdependent partnership

Division 2: Travel on breakdown of marriage or interdependent partnership

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, items 152.

9.3.15   Purpose
9.3.16   Definitions
9.3.17   Members this Division does not apply to
9.3.18   Travel at Commonwealth expense
9.3.19   Accommodation during travel
9.3.20   Meals during travel
9.3.21   Travel by private vehicle
9.3.22   Baggage
9.3.23   Pet relocation costs

9.3.15 Purpose

	This Division describes the following benefits.
	a.	Travel entitlements for a non-Service spouse when their marriage with a member posted in Australia breaks down.
	b.	Travel entitlements for a non-Service interdependent partner when their interdependent partnership with a member posted in Australia breaks down.

9.3.16 Definitions

This table defines terms used in this Division.

Term	Definition in this Division
Breakdown of relationship	When the CDF considers that separation has occurred. Separation is when a couple stop living as a couple, even if they still live in the same home.
Non-Service spouse or interdependent partner	A spouse or interdependent partner, who is not a member.

Persons who can make the decision under clause 9.3.16, definitions of breakdown of relationship, on behalf of the CDF:

Supervisor not below WO2(E)/APS 4, in the member's direct chain of command or supervision.

Director/Commanding Office not below MAJ(E)/APS 6 in the member's direct chain of command or supervision.

Assistant Director Entitlements

Director Entitlements

9.3.17 Members this Division does not apply to

A member is not entitled to travel at Commonwealth expense under this Division when they cease to be a member with dependants.

Note: The member may have a leave travel entitlement under Part 4 of this Chapter.

See:
Chapter 9 Part 4, Leave travel
Chapter 8 Part 1, Categories of member – dependants

This Division does not apply to travel entitlements for a dependant on death of a member.

See: Chapter 9 Part 3 Division 8, Travel of dependants on death of a member.

9.3.18 Travel at Commonwealth expense

1.	On breakdown of relationship, a non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner and their dependants are entitled to travel to the same location for which they are entitled to a removal at Commonwealth expense. See: Chapter 6 Part 6 Division 10, Assistance on breakdown of relationship with non-Service person
2.	The cost of travel is limited to the cost of travel by the most economical means determined by the CDF under the basic entitlement in Part 1 of this Chapter.
3.	The non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner is entitled only once to travel assistance on marriage breakdown.
4.	If the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner decides to travel by air for reasons other than those in Part 1 clause 9.1.3, the CDF may approve air travel at Commonwealth expense. Both these conditions must be met.
	a.	The non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner must have paid any additional cost of travelling by air rather than rail.
	b.	The non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner must have paid for any excess baggage costs.
5.	The non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner may require a child to travel by themselves. If the carrier requires the child to be escorted, the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner must pay for an adult to accompany them.

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 9.3.18.4 on behalf of the CDF:

Supervisor not below WO2(E)/APS 4, in the member's direct chain of command or supervision.

Director/Commanding Office not below MAJ(E)/APS 6 in the member's direct chain of command or supervision.

Assistant Director Entitlements

Director Entitlements

9.3.19 Accommodation during travel

This table sets out how much a non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner may be reimbursed for reasonable overnight accommodation costs.

Item	If the person is…	then the most they will be reimbursed is…
1.	the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner	the amount payable for accommodation at the location to a Colonel or lower under Annex 9.5.A. See: Annex 9.5.A, Amounts for accommodation, meals and incidentals for travelling allowance and travel card
2.	a dependant of the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner who is: a. more than 5 years old, and b. occupies a separate room	the amount payable for accommodation at the location to a Colonel or lower under Annex 9.5.A. See: Annex 9.5.A, Amounts for accommodation, meals and incidentals for travelling allowance and travel card
3.	a dependant of the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner who is less than 5 years old	10% of the amount worked out under item 1.
4.	other dependants of the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner who share a separate room with a dependant described in item 2.	20% of the amount worked out under item 1.

9.3.20 Meals during travel

1.	A non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner is entitled to be reimbursed the cost of meals for themselves and their dependants during their journey. This table sets out how much they may be reimbursed for meals at different locations on their journey.
2.	In all cases, the person will be paid at the rate payable for the relevant location below.
	a.	Where they began the journey, if it takes less than a day.
	b.	Where they stay overnight, if the journey takes more than a day.

Item	If the person is…	then the most they will be reimbursed is…
1.	the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner	the amount payable for meals to a Colonel or lower under Chapter 9 Part 5, Payment of travel costs.
2.	dependants of the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner aged 10 or more	the amount payable for meals to a Colonel or lower.
3.	dependants of the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner aged under 10	50% of the amount payable for meals to a Colonel or lower under Chapter 9 Part 5, Payment of travel costs.

	Example 1: If the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner travels from Sydney to Townsville in one day, the reimbursement rate is the meal allowance rate for Sydney. Example 2: If the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner stays overnight at Brisbane during the journey, the reimbursement rate for meals on the first day is the rate payable for Brisbane.
3.	The non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner is entitled to be reimbursed for each meal period that begins at these times during the journey.
	a.	Breakfast: 0700 hours
	b.	Lunch: 1300 hours
	c.	Dinner: 1900 hours.
4.	If the journey begins after the start of a meal period, the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner is not entitled to be reimbursed for that meal period.

9.3.21 Travel by private vehicle

1.	A non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner and dependants who are authorised to travel by private vehicle may be reimbursed the cost of travel. This also applies if they tow a towable item.
2.	The amount they may be reimbursed is the lesser of the two amounts at a. and b.
	a.	The sum of these three amounts (if they apply).
		i.	Vehicle allowance worked out under Part 6 of this Chapter as if the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner were an eligible member for the purposes of that Part.
		ii.	Accommodation and meal costs worked out under clauses 9.3.19 and 9.3.20.
		iii.	If it has been approved that the vehicle can be transported for a part of the journey: A. the cost of transporting the vehicle and towable item (if that applies), plus B. the fares for the non-Service spouse or interdependent partner and dependants for that part of the journey.
	b.	The sum of these three amounts (if they apply).
		i.	The fares of the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner and dependants for travel by the most economical means.
		ii.	The cost of removing the vehicle (and towable item, if that applies) if a removal has been approved for it under Chapter 6. See: Chapter 6 Part 6 Division 5, Vehicle removal.
		iii.	Accommodation and meal costs for travel by the most economical means, worked out under clauses 9.3.19 and 9.3.20.
3.	It is expected that a person will complete the journey at a daily driving rate of:
	a.	480 km, or
	b.	360 km if towing a towable item under a removal entitlement.

9.3.22 Baggage

1.	If a non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner's baggage cannot be removed with furniture and effects, the Commonwealth will pay for them to carry baggage up to 156 kilograms. The same conditions apply as under Part 1 clauses 9.1.7 and 9.1.8.
2.	The baggage must be transported by the most economical means. However, the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner is entitled to carry some baggage with them as accompanied baggage. In this case, it does not matter if it is excess accompanied baggage or included in the fare. This table sets out the amount of baggage they can carry in this way.

Item

If the person travels by…

then the amount of baggage they can carry is…

rail

a. one piece of baggage per family unit, and

b. one additional piece of baggage each for the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner and their adult dependants.

air

a. up to two pieces of baggage per family unit, and

b. one additional piece of baggage each for the non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner and their adult dependants.

A non-Service spouse or non-Service interdependent partner given a removal is entitled to be reimbursed pet relocation costs. They are entitled as if they were an eligible member under Chapter 6 Part 1 Division 4.

PACMAN AL7 (May 2009) Chapter 9 – Part 3 Division 2 – 1