1

Section 15.4.4 (Contents)

Omit "Household help – member posted before 1 July 2017", substitute "Household help and snow clearing assistance".

2

Chapter 15 Part 4 Division 6 (Household help – member posted before 1 July 2017)

Omit the Division, substitute:

The purpose of this Division is to provide a member with financial assistance towards costs incurred at their home as a result of their posting overseas.

1.

This section applies to a member posted before 1 July 2017.

2.

The CDF may reimburse the member the cost of employing a person to help with household tasks up to a reasonable limit set by the post administrator. The CDF must be satisfied that all of the following are met.

a.

The help enables the member to perform their official duties more effectively and efficiently.

b.

The cost of the help is reasonable having regard to all the following.

i.

The costs normally paid for this help at the posting location.

ii.

The general living conditions at the long-term posting location.

iii.

The number and age of the member’s dependants.

iv.

Local social and religious customs or laws.

v.

Any special features of a residence that the Commonwealth provides the member.

c.

The help is not for a task that is required due to normal use and wear on the home.

3.

If the member is already receiving an allowance that includes an amount for payment of a cost that could otherwise be reimbursed under this section, then they must not be reimbursed for that cost under this section.

4.

A member who incurs costs when carrying out representational duties is not eligible to be reimbursed under this section.

1.

The CDF may approve a member to be reimbursed the cost of using commercial snow clearing services. The member must occupy a free-standing residence.

2.

The CDF must consider all the following.

a.

The amount of snowfall at the member’s posting location.

b.

The period of the year that snow persists on the ground at the location.

c.

Any legal obligation for the member to clear snow from footpaths and other public thoroughfares adjacent to the member’s residence.

d.

The general community practice on snow clearing at the location.

e.

Any other factor relevant to snow clearing at the location.

3.

If approved, the member is eligible to be reimbursed the costs they paid for those services.

1

Snow clearing – transitional provision

1.

This section applies to a member for whom both the following applied between 1 July 2017 and the commencement of this Determination.

a.

The member was on a long-term posting overseas.

b.

The member would have been approved an amount for snow clearing under section 15.4.28 of Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service, had Schedule 1 of this Determination been effective.

2.

The member is eligible to be reimbursed the difference between the following.

a.

The amount of snow clearing benefit the member would have been approved to be reimbursed had Schedule 1 of this Determination been effective between 1 July 2017 and the commencement of this Determination.

b.

The amount the member was reimbursed for snow clearing between 1 July 2017 and the commencement of this Determination.