Division 4: Reunion travel for school students

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 155.

 

9.3.30   Purpose
9.3.31   Member this Division applies to
9.3.32   Entitlement
9.3.33   Mode of travel

9.3.30   Purpose

 

This Division assists a school student to be reunited with their parents. This is because the child did not accompany the member to the new posting location, and continues their education at another location.

9.3.31   Member this Division applies to

 

This Division applies to a member who is receiving education assistance for a child. The child must be studying away from the member's posting location.

See: Chapter 8 Part 4 Division 4, School students not at a posting location.

9.3.32   Entitlement

1.

The member is entitled to one return journey for the child each calendar year. The journey is from the child's location to the parent's home in the posting location.

2.

The entitlement cannot be carried forward from one calendar year to the next.

3.

The CDF may approve three additional return journeys for the child in that calendar year.

Example: The child takes up the next year of schooling in the member's location.

4.

For subclause 3, the CDF must consider all these factors.

 

a.

The age of the child and year of education.

 

b.

Any relevant school reports on the child's progress.

 

c.

The availability of board and lodging at the child's school.

 

d.

The availability and cost of suitable childcare arrangements for the child.

 

e.

The period of separation between reunion visits.

 

f.

The period of reunion.

 

g.

The number of official term breaks operating at the child's school.

 

h.

Any other relevant factor, including the continued well-being of the child.

5.

If a child's eligibility for education assistance ends, the child's journey home to the parents' location counts as one of three additional journeys.

Non-example: The child has already had three additional journeys. The journey to the parents' location would be at their own cost.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 9.3.32.3 on behalf of the CDF:

Director General Defence Community Organisation

Director Retention Program Defence Community Organisation

Manager Education Policy and Special Needs

9.3.33   Mode of travel

 

Travel must be by the most economical means, using student concession fares whenever possible.

See: Chapter 9 Part 1 clause 9.1.2, Most economical means of travel.

 

 PACMAN                                                       Reprint (August 2010)                                Chapter 9 – Part 3 Division 4 – 1