Pay and Conditions

Division 6: Travel for compassionate reasons

15.3.30 Purpose

Travel for compassionate reasons helps a member, their spouse or partner, or close relative with the costs of travel in the event of very serious illness, or death.

15.3.31 Definitions

This table defines terms used in this Division.

Definitions

Term

Definition in this Division

Close relative

Any of the following people who are not accompanying the member on the long-term posting. The member's parent, brother, sister, child, dependant, spouse or partner. The parent, child, brother or sister of the member's spouse or partner. ... If the member's spouse or partner is also a member, a dependant of the member's spouse or partner. Any other person approved by the CDF as a close relative of any of these people. The member. The member's spouse. The member's partner.

15.3.32 Payment of benefits under this Division

A benefit provided under this division may be paid to either of the following.

1. Directly to the service provider or their agent.

2. By way of reimbursement to the person who incurred the cost.

15.3.33 Close relative to visit a person overseas with a serious or very serious illness

1. This section applies if all the following are met.

1. The member's spouse or partner is accompanying the member on a long-term posting overseas.

2. A doctor has certified that a member's spouse or partner has a serious illness or very serious illness.

3. The member's spouse or partner continues to have the serious illness or very serious illness.

2. A close relative is eligible for the cost of travel from their home to the location of the person who has a serious illness or very serious illness if the CDF is satisfied it is reasonable having considered the following.

   1. Any views of the member’s spouse or partner or the member.

   2. Any views of the member’s spouse or partner's personal legal representative, if relevant.

   3. Any other factor relevant to the visit.

   Notes: To avoid doubt, only one close relative may be eligible for travel benefits under this section.

3. The cost of travel in subsection 2 is the lesser of the following.

1. The allowable travel cost for the travel to the member’s posting location and return.

2. The cost of the fares paid for the travel.

15.3.34 Close relative travel for matters following a death overseas

1. This section applies in the event of the death of any of the following.

   1. A member on long-term posting overseas.

   2. A spouse or partner accompanying a member on long-term posting overseas.

2. A close relative is eligible for the cost of travel from their home to attend the funeral or to make necessary arrangements following a death of the member or the member’s spouse or partner if the CDF is satisfied it is reasonable in the circumstances.

Note: To avoid doubt, only one close relative may be eligible for travel benefits under this section.

3. The cost of travel in subsection 2 is the lesser of the following.

1. The allowable travel cost for the travel from the close relative's home to the location of the funeral and return.

2. The actual fares paid for the travel.

15.3.35 Member or partner visit to a close relative

1. This section applies to a member and the member's spouse or partner if either of the following apply to a close relative.

   1. Both the following apply.

   1. A doctor has certified that the close relative has a serious illness or very serious illness.

   2. The close relative continues to have a serious illness or very serious illness.

   2. The close relative dies.

2. The following people are eligible for the cost of travel from the posting location to the location of the close relative, or if they have deceased, the location of the funeral of the close relative, if the CDF is satisfied it is reasonable in the circumstances.

   1. A member who is on a long-term posting overseas.

   2. The member's spouse or partner who is accompanying the member on a long-term posting overseas.

3. For the purpose of subsection 2, if more than one trip is to be approved to visit a close relative for the same serious or very serious illness, the CDF must consider the following.

   1. The number of trips that have been provided under this section.

   2. The relationship of the member or the member's spouse or partner to the close relative.

   3. The reasons for the request.

4. The cost of travel in subsection 2 is either of the following.

1. If the travel is to a location within Australia, the lesser of the following.

1. The allowable travel cost for the travel from the posting location to the close relative's home, or the location of the funeral and return.

2. The cost of the fares paid for the travel.

2. If the travel is to a location outside of Australia, the outcome of the following calculation, but not less than $0.



Where:
a    is the cost of the fares paid for the travel.
b    is allowable travel costs for travel from Sydney, Australia to the overseas location of the close relative and return.

15.3.36 Fares for children

The CDF may approve reimbursement of the cost of fares for a child if the following conditions are met.

1. A person is eligible for reimbursement for fares under this Division.

2. The person is responsible for the daily care of a child.

3. The CDF is satisfied that it is impracticable to make other appropriate arrangements for the care of the child. The CDF must consider all these criteria.

   1. The child's age.

   2. Any arrangements the person could make for the care of the child in the circumstances.

   3. The circumstances of the person travelling.