Division 6: Travel for compassionate reasons

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

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

1. Directly to the service provider or their agent.
2. By way of reimbursement to the person who incurred the cost.

1. This section applies if all of the following are met.
   
   1. The member's partner is accompanying the member on a long-term posting overseas.
   2. A doctor has certified that a member's partner has a serious illness or very serious illness.
   3. The member's 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 all of the following.
   
   1. Any views of the member’s partner or the member.
   2. Any views of the member’s partner's personal legal representative, if relevant.
   3. Any other factor relevant to the visit.
3. 2A. To avoid doubt, only one close relative is eligible for travel benefits under this section.
4. 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.

1. This section applies to a member and the member's spouse or partner if any of the following apply to a close relative.
   
   1. All of 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. All of 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 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 all of the following.
   
   1. The number of trips that have been provided under this section.
   2. The relationship of the member or the member's partner to the close relative.
   3. The reasons for the request.
4. The cost of travel in subsection 2 is one 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 lesser of the following amounts, but not less than $0.

      1.  The cost of the fares paid for the travel.
      2. The cost of the travel calculated using the following formula.

      cost of travel = A ‒ B

      Where:
      A    is the allowable travel cost from the overseas posting location to the overseas location of the close relative and return.
      B    is the allowable travel cost from Sydney, Australia to the overseas location of the close relative and return.

A person is eligible for the cost of fares for a child if all of the following are met.

1. A person is eligible for the cost of 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, after considering all of the following.
   
   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.