Division 3: Special benefits for health-related travel

The purpose of this Division is to assist with the cost of travel to another location to obtain health care.

1. Subject to subsection 2, an eligible person is eligible for travel costs to obtain health care at a location other than the posting location if the CDF is satisfied of any of the following.

   1. The health care required cannot be provided at the posting location.

   2. The health care required cannot be delayed until the eligible person is away from the posting location for recreation or other purposes.

2. In deciding whether to approve the travel under subsection 1, the CDF must consider all of the following.

   1. The apparent state of health of the eligible person.

   2. Any available professional advice on the person's state of health.

   3. The health care facilities available at the posting location.

   4. The availability and skill of health care professionals at the posting location.

   5. Any other factor relevant to the person's health.

3. For the purpose of subsection 1, health care does not include any assisted reproductive services procedures.

1. If section 15.5.16 applies, an eligible person is eligible for travel costs for an escort to accompany them if the CDF approves after considering all of the following.

   1. The eligible person’s medical requirements.

   2. The degree to which the eligible person could travel independently.

   3. Any other factor relevant to the eligible person's welfare during the travel.

2. In this section, escort means one of the following persons who is over 18 years old.

   1. The member.

   2. Family of the member or the eligible person.

   3. An adult at the posting location chosen by the eligible person.

If section 15.5.16 applies, an eligible person is eligible for travel costs for their child to accompany them if the CDF approves after considering all of the following.

1. The child's age.

2. The availability of alternative child care arrangements practical in the circumstances.

3. The circumstances in which the person is to travel.

1. Air travel under this Division is by one of the following classes.

   1. Economy class.

   2. If one of the following applies – business class (if not available, then first class).

      1. A doctor certifies that the eligible person is pregnant at the time of travel.

      2. For any other eligible person — the CDF is satisfied that the higher class is reasonable in the circumstances subject to subsection 2.

         _{Note: Travel for a person under section 15.5.17 or 15.5.18 who accompanies the eligible person will be of the same class.}

2. For the purpose of subparagraph 1.b.ii, the CDF must consider all of the following.

   1. The eligible person’s medical requirements.

   2. The nature of the aircraft seating required during the travel.

   3. Any other factor relevant to the travel.

3. A person who travels by air is not eligible for any of the following.

   1. Excess baggage – unless subparagraph 1.b.i applies, then the eligible person is eligible for up to 15 kilograms of excess baggage on their return to the posting location following childbirth.

   2. Any of the following costs incurred at the posting location or at the location the health care is obtained.

      1. Transportation fares.

      2. Car hire fees.

      3. Parking charges.

1. An eligible person who has been approved travel costs under section 15.5.16 is eligible for reimbursement of an amount for each kilometre of a journey travelled using private vehicle if all of the following apply.

   1. Private vehicle is the most efficient and economical means of travel for the journey.

   2. Travelling by private vehicle is appropriate having regard to the eligible person’s medical requirements.

2. For the purpose of subsection 1, the amount is calculated using the following formula:

      reimbursable amount per km (in local currency) = A X B X (C/100)

   Where:

   A is the rate of vehicle allowance under section 9.6.25 that applies to the posting location at the time of the approved travel.

   B is the exchange rate used to pay members’ salary for the pay period.

   C is the post index under section 12.3.14A used to calculate overseas allowances for the pay period.

3. If subsection 1 applies, the eligible person is eligible for reimbursement of the actual costs of any of the following.

   1. Vehicle ferry fares.

   2. Toll fees.

   3. Parking or vehicle storage charges.

1. This section applies to an eligible person authorised to travel under this Division who is not an in-patient at a hospital.
2. An eligible person is eligible for one of the following if they travel from the posting location to another location overseas for treatment.
   1. If they occupy commercial accommodation with cooking facilities for 6 or more days — the reasonable cost of the accommodation.
   2. If they occupy one of the following — the amount payable under section 14.5.5.
      1. Commercial accommodation with cooking facilities for 5 days or less.
      2. Commercial accommodation without cooking facilities.
   3. If they occupy private accommodation — 25% of the amount payable under section 14.5.5.
3. An eligible person is eligible for the following when they travel from the posting location to another location in Australia for treatment.
   1. If they occupy commercial accommodation with cooking facilities for 6 or more days — the daily travelling allowance rate for accommodation under Annex 9.5.A for up to 21 days.
   2. If they occupy one of the following — the daily travelling allowance rate for accommodation under Annex 9.5.A for up to 21 days, plus the amount for meals payable under section 14.5.5.
      1. Commercial accommodation with cooking facilities for 5 days or less.
      2. Commercial accommodation without cooking facilities.
   3. If they occupy private accommodation — 25% of the amount for meals under section 14.5.5.
4. Regardless of a member's rank, the rates payable under this section are limited to the rates payable to members with the rank of Colonel or lower.