Pay and Conditions

Division 3: Definitions and key concepts

7.1.14 Definitions

This table defines terms used in this Chapter.

Definitions

Term	Definition in this Chapter
Contribution	The amount a member pays towards the cost of benefits provided for housing, meals and utilities.
Date of purchase	The date they enter into a contract to buy their own home. Example: The member formally exchanges contracts.
Date of sale	For a member's own home, the date they enter into a contract to sell the home.
Hotel	Includes a motel, boarding house or similar accommodation. It does not include a serviced apartment. See: The definition of serviced apartment in this section.
HomeFind	The electronic database and home allocation system maintained by the Defence Housing Australia.
Incomplete cycle	If a member does not complete a member's cycle, it is the part of the cycle that has been completed.
Member's cycle	Is the repetitive pattern in the member's flexible service determination that consists of the pattern of service and nonworking periods.
Own home and 'ownership'	The member is taken to own a home when one or a combination of these people hold an interest as an owner of the home. The member. A dependant of the member. A company, trust, partnership or joint venture that the member or their dependant hold a controlling interest or equal share in. The interest can be a controlling interest or an equal share. Example: Three members buy an equal third share in a home. They rent it out when posted out of the home's location. When one of the members returns to the home's location, the member is taken to own the home. The interest in the home may be legal or equitable. Example 1: The member is the sole beneficiary of a trust. Their dependant is the trustee who holds the legal title. The home is still the member's because they have an equitable interest in it. Example 2: The member's home is mortgaged to a lender. The member is still taken to own the home even though the lender also has an interest in it. See: Part 2
Posting location	See: Section 7.1.15
Rank	Worn rank.
Rent	A charge for a rented home for which rent allowance is payable. It includes both these charges if they apply. A charge for a garage at the home. A charge for rental of furniture or household appliances for the home. See: Part 8 Division 4 section 7.8.19, Working out rent allowance
Rent ceiling	An amount that is the maximum fortnightly rent that can be used to work out a member's rent allowance. See: Part 8 Division 2, Rent ceilings Annex 7.E, Rent ceilings
Resident child carer	A person who has not been recognised as a dependent for conditions of service purposes and who is living with the member's family for the purpose of providing child care for the member's dependent children. Note: A resident child carer is not provided at Commonwealth expense. This relationship is an arrangement between the member and the child carer. See: Part 6 Division 2 section 7.6.8, Resident child carer, for Service residences Part 8 Division 4 section 7.8.22, Resident child carer, for rent allowance
Service residence	A home provided by the Commonwealth.
Serviced apartment	Accommodation that the CDF is satisfied is a serviced apartment. The CDF must consider all these criteria. Whether it has facilities that are similar to those generally available in an apartment or flat. The level of services provided. The level of cooking and dining facilities. Note: As a guide, these would be regarded as suitable cooking and dining facilities. A kitchen separate from bedrooms. A stove with two rings and an oven. A microwave. A suitable sized refrigerator. A sink for washing dishes, with hot water supply. A pantry or other food storage area. Enough pots, pans, cutlery and crockery for the member or dependants. A dining table and dining chairs.
Suitable accommodation	See: Section 7.1.17
Utilities	See: Part 10 section 7.10.2, Utilities – definition
Utility connection deposit	A deposit required before water, gas or electricity services can be supplied to a home.

7.1.15 Posting location

Chapter 1 Part 3 Division 1 section 1.3.55 defines the basic meaning of posting location for service within Australia. This table defines exceptions and particular cases under this Chapter. This makes sure that housing assistance is targeted at a member's home even if they are away from it.

Posting location in particular cases

Item	If the member is...	and the member...	then their posting location is...
1.	a former member	rejoins the ADF	where they lived just before they rejoined the ADF.
2.	a member with dependants	meets both these conditions. They are undergoing initial training. They are not eligible for a removal See: Chapter 6 Part 5 Division 1 for removals	where the dependants lived immediately before the member joined the ADF.
3.	a member with dependants (unaccompanied)	meets both of these conditions. The member was recruited from overseas. The member's dependants' first Australian home is not in the member's first posting location.	the location of the member's dependants' first Australian home.
4.	a member with dependants	is deployed for six months or longer	either of these places. Where the dependants were last removed before the deployment. Where the dependants are given a removal to for extended family support.
5.	a member with dependants	meets all these conditions. They are eligible for rent allowance. They are notified of a posting to take effect within the same calendar year. They go on posting unaccompanied. The dependants continue to live in the rented home in the losing location.	where their dependants live until the end of the calendar year. See: Part 6 Division 9 section 7.6.61, Member keeps a Service residence at losing location
6.	a member with dependants (unaccompanied)	is posted away from their dependants' home	where their dependants live until the member stops being a member with dependants (unaccompanied).
7.	a member with dependants (unaccompanied)	has dependants who live in a personal location for which housing assistance benefits are not provided	the location where the member is posted.
8.	a member with dependants (unaccompanied)	has dependants who live in a personal location for which housing assistance benefits are provided	the location where the member is posted.
9.	a member with dependants or a member without dependants	is posted to a seagoing ship or a seagoing submarine	the location they are given a removal to under section 6.5.36.
10.	a member with or without dependants	is posted to a location in a greater area approved by the CDF under Chapter 1 Part 3 Division 1 paragraph 1.3.55.1.b	whichever of these locations has the lower rent ceiling. The location where they live. The location with the highest rent ceiling where they could live if they lived within the posting location. See: Examples below
12.	participating in the Puckapunyal housing trial, described in section 7.1.16A	is posted to Puckapunyal Military Area and has their posting location extended by CDF under subsection 1.3.55.3	Seymour.

Examples of item 10:

1. A member is posted to Newcastle. They are given permission to live at Singleton. Their posting location extends to Singleton. They are only eligible for the rent ceiling for Singleton as it has the lower rent ceiling.

2. A member is posted to Singleton. They are given permission to live in Newcastle. Their posting location extends to Newcastle. They are still only eligible for the rent ceiling for Singleton, as it has the lower rent ceiling.

7.1.16A Puckapunyal housing trial

1. A member is participating in the Puckapunyal housing trial if the CDF has approved an extension of their posting location under subsection 2.

Note: The standard rules that apply in relation to housing assistance apply to members participating in the Puckapunyal housing trial.

2. The CDF may extend the posting location described in paragraph 1.3.55.1.a for a member if satisfied of the following.

1. The member is posted to the Puckapunyal Military Area.

2. The member's daily attendance for duty would not be affected by any additional travel.

3. The member commutes daily to their normal place of duty.

4. The purpose of extending the posting location is to facilitate one of the following.

1. The member's spouse or partner undertaking employment, other than home based employment.

2. The member is returning from a long-term posting overseas and member's spouse or partner seeking employment, other than home based employment.

3. The member's spouse or partner undertaking a period of study on a face-to face basis.

4. If the member has a dependant with special needs — access to professional services for that dependant.

3. The Puckapunyal housing trial ceases on 31 December 2023.

7.1.17 Suitable accommodation

1. Suitable accommodation must meet all of these conditions.

   1. It is in the member's posting location.

   2. It can accommodate the member and dependants, if any.

   3. It meets any levels or standards that depend on the rank of the member.

      Exception: A rented home or an own home.

      See:
      Part 4 Division 3 section 7.4.16 for levels of living-in accommodation
      Part 6 sections 7.6.13 and 7.6.16 for rank groups and allocation principles

   4. It is available within a reasonable time.

2. The type of housing that is suitable also depends on the category of member, as shown in this table.

   Suitable housing

   Item	If the member...	then suitable accommodation may be...
   1.	is a member with dependants	any of the following. The member's suitable own home (see Part 2). A suitable Service residence (see Part 6). A home for which rent allowance is payable (see Part 8).
   2.	is a member with dependants (unaccompanied)	for the member, any of the following. Suitable living-in accommodation (see Part 4 Division 3 section 7.4.15). A rented home for which rent allowance is payable (see Part 8). A surplus Service residence (see Part 6 Division 7 section 7.6.30). Accommodation provided under Part 7. An appointment, tied or assigned Service residence under Part 6 Division 6. for the member's dependants – the accommodation that was approved as suitable for them to live in at the losing location.
   3.	meets both the following conditions: The member is a member with dependants (unaccompanied). The member has dependants at a personal location for which housing assistance benefits are not provided.	for the member, any of the following. Suitable living-in accommodation (see Part 4 Division 3 section 7.4.15). A rented home for which rent allowance is payable (see Part 8). surplus Service residence (see Part 6). Accommodation provided under Part 7. for the member's dependants – not applicable.
   4.	is a member without dependants	any of the following. The member's suitable own home (see Part 2). Suitable living-in accommodation (see Part 4 Division 3 section 7.4.15). A rented home for which rent allowance is payable (see Part 8). A surplus Service residence (see Part 6 Division 7 section 7.6.30). Accommodation provided under Part 7. An appointment, tied or assigned Service residence under Part 6 Division 6.