Division 5: Student reunion travel to members in remote locations

 

TAX ALERT: PACMATE Annex 3.A, item 156.

9.3.34   Purpose
9.3.35   Member this Division applies to
9.3.36   Entitlement
9.3.37   Period of entitlement
9.3.38   Additional travel beyond entitlement
9.3.39   Mode of travel

9.3.34   Purpose

 

The purpose of this Division is to enable children to be reunited with their parents who are living in a remote posting location.

See: Chapter 4 Part 4 Annex 4.4.A, Remote locations for ADF district allowance.

9.3.35   Member this Division applies to

 

This Division applies to a member who meets both these conditions.

 

a.

They are serving in a remote location.

 

b.

They have a child receiving primary or secondary education outside the remote location. The child must be living away from their parents.

9.3.36   Entitlement

1.

The member is entitled to two return journeys for the school student each calendar year. The journey is from the student's school to the remote location.

2.

If the child commences school outside the remote location on or after 1 July, only one entitlement may be used before 30 November in that school year.

3.

If the member is also entitled to reunion travel for the child as set out in Division 4, the combined number of reunion entitlements is limited to four a year.

4.

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

5.

Children may travel to a destination other than the remote location to join a member or the member's spouse or interdependent partner. The cost cannot exceed the cost of travel to the member's remote location.

6.

If the child turns 18 during the last year of secondary school, at the end of the school year the member is entitled to a journey for the child to the member's remote location. Travel is to the remote location at the completion of the school year.

7.

ADF reunion travel does not apply if travel is already provided by a community-based scheme.

9.3.37   Period of entitlement

 

This table outlines the period of entitlement for this Division.

 

Item

If the student...

the entitlement commences from...

1.

departs the remote location to attend school

the date of departure from the remote location.

2.

does not accompany the member to the remote location

the later of:

a.  the day the member departs for the remote location posting, or

b.  the day the member's dependants depart for the remote location posting.

9.3.38   Additional travel beyond entitlement

1.

If the child has already used the entitlement for the calender year, the CDF may approve one additional journey. This would be for special circumstances only.

2.

The child must be attending a school with four term breaks in the school year.

3.

Before approving an additional journey, 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 if this additional reunion visit did not occur.

 

f.

The period of reunion.

 

g.

Whether severe detriment to the child would result if not allowed this visit.

 

h.

Any other relevant factor.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 9.3.38.1 on behalf of the CDF:

Executive Officer – Relocations, Dependants and Housing

Assistant Director Entitlements

Director Entitlements

9.3.39   Mode of travel

 

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

 

PACMAN                                                         AL12 (February 2008)                               Chapter 9 – Part 3 Division 5 – 1