This month’s update includes increases to domestic travel allowances, including the meals and incidentals rates. There are also changes to international meal and incidental allowance rates, which have been removed from this site and are now available on the Defence Protected Network (DPN).

Defence regularly updates pay and conditions for ADF members through official changes called amending determinations. These updates ensure pay rates, allowances, and conditions of service stay fit for purpose under the Defence Act 1903.

Each month, we’ll keep you informed about the latest amendments to pay, conditions, allowances, or other entitlements that may affect you and your family.

You can find all previous amendments on the Federal Register of Legislation or the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal website (for amending determinations related to Military Factor allowances and Salary).

The most up-to-date policy inclusions are reflected on our site in the ADF Pay and Conditions Manual (PACMAN).

Previous changes now in effect

The August 2026 Determination included increases to certain allowances for members who need to travel within Australia for work. The new rates apply to:

  • meal allowance
  • temporary accommodation allowance meal amounts
  • part-day travelling allowance
  • meals and incidentals rates for travel longer than 21 days
  • travelling allowance accommodation, meals and incidentals rates and locations.

The meal allowance rate when performing additional duty overseas has also increased.

These rate changes came into effect on 8 October 2026.

What’s changed this month

On 8 October 2026, a new Determination introduced changes that adjust the rates of meal and incidental allowances for overseas travel.

Your updated benefits explained

Below is a breakdown of what’s changed and how it may affect you.

Increased meal allowance amounts while in Australia

You may get meal allowance if you’re unable to get a Defence-provided meal because of your duty and need to buy your own.

The daily meal allowance rates have increased to:

  • $32.25 for breakfast
  • $14.70 for lunch if you’re staying in LIA, or $36.80 if you live out
  • $63.45 for dinner.

Learn more about meal allowance and when you can get it.

Find the updated policy details in Ch 4 Pt 4 of PACMAN.

Increased temporary accommodation allowance meal amounts

Temporary accommodation allowance (TAA) covers your accommodation, meals and other reasonable costs if you need to stay in short-term accommodation.

The meal amount included in TAA has increased.

How much you can get each day per meal depends on the location of your accommodation, how many people live with you, and how old each family member is.

Learn more about temporary accommodation allowance.

Find the updated policy details in Ch 7 Pt 5 Div 4 of PACMAN.

Increased part-day travelling allowance rate

When you need to travel for part of a day for work and are away from your housing benefit location for longer than 10 hours, Defence may pay you part-day travelling allowance to help cover the costs.

The part-day travelling allowance rate has increased to $65.85 a day.

Learn more about travelling allowance.

Find the updated policy details in Ch 9 Pt 5 Div 1 of PACMAN.

Increased meals and incidentals rates for business travel longer than 21 days within Australia

When you travel for work within Australia for longer than 21 days, the benefit amount that Defence will pay you to cover the cost of meals and incidentals has increased.

New daily maximum rates for meals

If you're staying in a boarding house, hotel or rental accommodation during your travel period, your new daily maximum rate for meals has increased. How much you can get depends on your type of accommodation and its facilities.

New incidentals rate if you're using your Defence Travel Card (DTC)

If you're staying in living-in accommodation (LIA) during your travel period, your new daily rate for incidentals after day 21 is $12.70.

New incidentals rate if you're getting travelling allowance

If you're staying in LIA that isn't in your housing benefit location, your new weekly rate for incidentals after day 21 is $88.90.

If you're staying in LIA that's in your housing benefit location because you need to for a course or training, your new daily rate for incidentals after day 21 is $12.70.

Learn more about travel costs and travelling allowance.

Find the updated policy details in PACMAN:

Updates to travelling allowance accommodation, meals and incidentals rates and locations

While travelling for work within Australia, you may get travelling allowance to cover the costs. The allowance amount you can get depends on your location, the length of your travel and your rank.

The maximum daily rates for accommodation, meals and incidentals for the first 21 days of your travel have increased.

The list of locations has also been updated.

Learn more about travelling allowance.

Find the updated policy details in Ch 9 Pt 5 Annex 9.5.A of PACMAN.

Increased meal allowance rate when performing additional duty overseas

While you're on a long-term posting overseas, you may get meal allowance if you don't get a meal break while performing additional duty.

You’ll get paid an amount based on the overtime meal allowance rate, adjusted for the exchange rate and your post index location.

The overtime meal allowance rate has increased to $40.00.

Learn more about meal allowance for additional duty overseas.

Find the updated policy details in Ch 15 Pt 2A Div 6 of PACMAN.

Changes to international meal and incidental allowances

While travelling overseas for work, or to and from a posting location, Defence employees may get meal allowance and incidentals allowance. The amount you can get depends on the location you’re travelling to.

The rates of these allowances have been updated. If your travel is approved on or after 8 October 2026, you’ll get your meal and incidental allowances at the new rates.

The overseas meal and incidentals allowance rate tables have been removed from PACMAN and are now only available in Objective on the DPN. Read more about the rate adjustments and where you can find the new rates spreadsheet.

Find the updated policy details in PACMAN: