International
International travel
Parliamentarians are able to undertake international travel for official parliamentary business.
The costs that can be met are based on the reason for travel, any other conditions determined by the travel approver, and the PBR framework.
International travel is subject to the PBR Act principles of dominant purpose, value for money, conditions, good faith, and personal responsibility and accountability.
For all trips
- Seek the necessary approval well in advance of your proposed travel.
- Book scheduled flights through travel provider (CTM).
- Advise IPEA of travel details and all travellers.
- Contact the relevant area (International and Parliamentary Relations Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Home Department) for assistance with other logistics.
- Seek medical advice prior to your travel.
- Ensure your passport has six months validity.
- Obtain any relevant visas required for your travel.
- Allowances are paid prior to travel once IPEA has all the required information.
- Claims for reimbursement must be accompanied by receipts and can be submitted after your travel is completed.
For Presiding Officer, Opposition and Minority Party trips only
- Check your budget has sufficient balance for your proposed travel.
Approval: Parliamentary delegations are approved by the Presiding Officers based on an annual program.
Costs that can be met:
- travel at no higher than business class
- unscheduled commercial transport within and between overseas countries
- accommodation costs
- meal costs
- pre-travel medical expenses, such as vaccinations
- emergency medical, dental or hospital expenses
- laundry and dry cleaning for parliamentarians
- an international travel incidental allowance of $63 per day for parliamentarians
- a travel equipment allowance of $430 once every three (3) years.
Other provisions:
- Parliamentarians travelling on an overseas delegation may extend their travel dates, and/or be accompanied or joined by their spouse. In order to extend travel or take their spouse, the parliamentarian must make a saving on airfares that would otherwise be claimed (known as the notional fare). The total costs must not exceed the notional fare.
Hospitality costs of up to $2,500 may be claimed by the delegation, or $5,000 if the delegation is led by a Presiding Officer.
Approval: The leader of the opposition approves travel for the leader and/or any other opposition parliamentarian, subject to an annual budget based on the cost of four (4) around the world airfares.
Costs that can be met (subject to the budget):
- travel at no higher than business class
- unscheduled commercial transport within and between overseas countries
- accommodation costs
- meal costs
- pre-travel medical expenses, such as vaccinations
- emergency medical, dental or hospital expenses
- laundry and dry cleaning
- an international travel incidental allowance of $63 per day
- a travel equipment allowance of $430 once every three (3) years
- laundry and dry cleaning for staff where travel lasts at least seven (7) days
- an international travel incidental allowance of $40 per day for staff
- travel costs for up to two (2) staff accompanying the leader or the parliamentarian. Where two (2) staff travel, only the cost of one (1) staff member is deducted from the annual budget.
Approval: The Prime Minister approves travel for a parliamentarian to represent the government or Australia.
Costs that can be met:
- travel at no higher than business class
- unscheduled commercial transport within and between overseas countries
- accommodation costs
- meal costs
- pre-travel medical expenses, such as vaccinations
- emergency medical, dental or hospital expenses
- laundry and dry cleaning
- an international travel incidental allowance of $63 per day
- a travel equipment allowance of $430 once every three (3) years
- laundry and dry cleaning for staff where travel lasts at least seven (7) days
- an international travel incidental allowance of $40 per day for staff.
In addition, the Prime Minister may approve costs for a parliamentarian’s spouse and one (1) staff member.
Approval: The Prime Minister approves international travel for a minister. International travel is subject to guidelines produced by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Costs that can be met:
- travel at no higher than business class
- unscheduled commercial transport within and between overseas countries
- accommodation costs
- meal costs
- pre-travel medical expenses, such as vaccinations
- emergency medical, dental or hospital expenses
- laundry and dry cleaning
- an international travel incidental allowance of $63 per day
- a travel equipment allowance of $430 once every three (3) years
- laundry and dry cleaning for staff where travel lasts at least seven (7) days
- an international travel incidental allowance of $40 per day for staff.
The Prime Minister may approve costs for the parliamentarian’s spouse and up to two (2) member(s) of the minister’s staff.
In addition, the minister’s portfolio department may cover costs for official hospitality, gifts, meeting venues and facilities, international security requirements and departmental officials accompanying the minister.
Approval: The Prime Minister approves travel for a parliamentarian representing a minister. International travel is subject to guidelines produced by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Costs that can be met:
- travel at no higher than business class
- unscheduled commercial transport within and between overseas countries
- accommodation costs
- meal costs
- pre-travel medical expenses, such as vaccinations
- emergency medical, dental or hospital expenses
- laundry and dry cleaning
- an international travel incidental allowance of $63 per day
- a travel equipment allowance of $430 once every three (3) years
- laundry and dry cleaning for staff where travel lasts at least seven (7) days
- an international travel incidental allowance of $40 per day for staff.
The Prime Minister may approve costs for the parliamentarian’s spouse and one (1) member of the parliamentarian’s staff.
In addition, the minister’s portfolio department may cover costs for official hospitality, gifts, meeting venues and facilities, international security requirements and departmental officials accompanying the minister.
Approval: Presiding Officers approve their international travel and/or any other parliamentarian to represent them subject to an annual budget of $250,000 each. Should a Presiding Officer change during a financial year, the incoming Presiding Officer is limited to the balance of the annual budget.
Costs that can be met:
- travel at no higher than business class
- unscheduled commercial transport within and between overseas countries
- accommodation costs
- meal costs
- pre-travel medical expenses, such as vaccinations
- emergency medical, dental or hospital expenses
- laundry and dry cleaning
- an international travel incidental allowance of $63 per day
- a travel equipment allowance of $430 once every three (3) years
- laundry and dry cleaning for staff where travel lasts at least seven (7) days
- an international travel incidental allowance of $40 per day for staff.
IPEA Enquiries
Phone: 02 6215 3000
Email: enquiries@ipea.gov.au
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Phone: 02 6271 5736
Email: mintravel@pmc.gov.au
Travel Provider – Corporate Travel Management (CTM)
Phone (in Australia): 1800 187 584
Phone (if overseas): +61 2 8286 7499
Email: ipea@travelctm.com
Frequently asked questions
Yes.
Senators and Members
Group insurance policies are commercially-sourced through the Commonwealth’s commercial insurance broker. The insurance contract is between the insurance company and the insured individual and any claims should be placed directly with the insurer.
Insurance is subject to conditions and exclusions. It is your responsibility to understand the scope and limitations of the cover.
Gallaghers – 02 9242 2051
MOP(S) Act staff
MOP(S) staff travelling on official business overseas are covered under the Commonwealth’s policy with Comcover.
Claims Department – 1800 651 540 or email claims@comcover.com.au.
For details on insurance for MOP(S) staff, please refer to the Enterprise Agreement Guidelines.
Contact International SOS on +61 2 9372 2468 or visit their website.
International SOS provides practical and effective support including:
- Emergency medical and security advice
- Arranging an ambulance and transport to the nearest hospital or clinic
- Arranging medical evacuation or repatriation, with medical escort if required, to a suitable medical facility.
International SOS has exclusive access to dedicated ambulances, air ambulances and portable medical equipment that converts any aircraft into an intensive care unit.
You are provided with a form when you are notified of your allowances prior to travel. Complete and return this form with receipts for all claims upon your return to Australia.
You should seek medical advice prior to international travel as some vaccinations may be required. Keep your receipts and you can claim reimbursement for these medical expenses upon your return.
In the first instance, contact CTM to make the changes to your flights. CTM seeks IPEA’s approval. Depending on the itinerary change, IPEA may need to seek agreement from the original travel approver.
You are provided with a form when you are notified of your allowances prior to travel. Complete and return this form with receipts for all claims upon your return to Australia.
