9.1.1 Purpose
Travel overview
The following table gives an overview of how some key travel policies described in this Part relate to one another.
| Item | Policy | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Most economical means of travel | Most economical means of travel determines the mode of travel the member may use. This takes into account things such as fares and salary costs. |
| 2. | Lowest practical fare | Lowest practical fare applies if the member is approved to travel by air. It is a means of selecting the flight the member must use for the travel. |
| 3. | Normal departmental liability |
Normal departmental liability applies if the member is approved to travel by means that are not the most economical means.It is a figure which is the result of a formula used to work out how much the Commonwealth will pay for the travel. |
| 4. | Class of travel |
Class of travel applies if the member is approved to travel by air.It sets out the class of ticket the member may use. |
Examples for Item 1: The member may drive, fly, or use a train or a coach for a journey.
Example for Item 4: Economy class.
9.1.3 Most economical means of travel
Examples: Coach, rail or air travel or rental vehicles.
Example: A member has to travel between Perth and Alice Springs. To fly would cost an airfare and several hours' salary and allowances. Rail would cost two fares and several days' salary and allowances. Once the total costs are compared air is shown to be the most economical means of public transport.
Non-example: A member has to travel between Darwin and Alice Springs. Rail, coach and air are all available options. However, no comparison needs to be made as section 9.1.4 provides that air is to be used.
9.1.4 Air as the most economical means of travel
The list of remote locations can be found at Annex 4.4.A.
9.1.4A Most economical means between Canberra and Nowra or Jervis Bay
9.1.5 Best value fare
-
Resource Management Guide No. 424, Applying the Australian Government Travel Policy provides further information about the best value fare, including guidance on how to determinate the best value fare.
- Flexible fares can be the best value fare when it is the cheapest fare or when the meeting or event is subject to change or may be cancelled.
- A person who knowingly provides false information in an application for a benefit may face disciplinary action under the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982.
9.1.6 Travel by own means
9.1.7 Normal departmental liability
Normal departmental liability does not include goods and services tax (GST) on the fare.
9.1.8 Cost of air travel for working out normal departmental liability
9.1.9 Class of travel
1. For table items 1.d and 2.d, the flights between the following locations have a scheduled flight time of 90 minutes or less.
- Adelaide – Melbourne
- Canberra – Sydney
- Melbourne – Newcastle
- Sydney – Brisbane
- Hobart – Melbourne
- Brisbane – Newcastle
- Canberra – Melbourne
- Melbourne – Sydney
2. Class of travel for a Victoria Cross of Australia recipient is provided under section 4.7.5.
9.1.10 Baggage – general
In the total workforce system, continuous full-time service may be described as service in Service category 6 or 7. A member who is in Service category 3, 4 or 5 and Service option C is also on continuous full-time service.
If baggage is included with furniture and effects, the insurance that relates to removals applies.
9.1.11 Extra baggage
9.1.12 Door-to-door travel
Example: Travel between the member's home and the nearest airport.
Door-to-door travel applies to the types of travel set out in the following table.
| Item | Travel type | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Temporary duty | Part 2 Division 2, Travel on temporary duty |
| 2. | Posting | Part 2 Division 4, Travel on posting |
| 3. | Medical absence | Part 2 Division 5 subsection 9.2.25.3, Travel during a medical absence |
| 4. | Maternity leave | Part 3 Division 3, Travel on maternity leave |
| 5. | Reunion for members | Part 3 Division 4 subsection 9.3.30.2, Frequency and cost of reunion travel |
| 6. | Reunion for school students | Part 3 Division 5 section 9.3.36, Benefit |
| 7. | Student reunion to members in remote locations | Part 3 Division 6 section 9.3.40, Benefit |
| 8. | Reunion for tertiary students | Part 3 Division 7 section 9.3.46, Benefit |
| 9. | Compassionate | Part 3 Division 8 subsection 9.3.57.4, Means of travel |
| 10. | Recreation leave | Part 4 Division 1 subsection 9.4.7.2, Recreation leave travel benefit |
| 11. | Pre-deployment leave | Part 4 Division 2 section 9.4.17, Benefit |
| 12. | Post deployment leave | Part 4 Division 3 section 9.4.21, Benefit |
9.1.13 Travel costs not otherwise payable under this Chapter
In the total workforce system, a member of the Reserves may be described as a member in Service category 2, 3, 4 or 5.