From Thursday, 8 October 2026, Defence aligned international meal and incidental allowance rates with those paid by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Australian Government's lead agency for overseas conditions of service.
The new rates continue to support Defence personnel, including ADF members and APS employees, in covering meal and incidental expenses incurred during approved overseas travel.
For many locations, the revised rates are lower; however, a small number are higher. The new rates apply to everyone on approved overseas travel, regardless of rank.
You can apply for reimbursement for costs above the rate limits if there’s a demonstrated need and you provide evidence.
The new rates can now be found in Objective on the Defence Protected Network (DPN):
