Personal advice and Travel Advice Certificates

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Personal advice

One of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority’s (IPEA) key functions is to give personal advice to parliamentarians and their staff and former parliamentarians of parliament about their use of parliamentary travel resources. This function is established by the IPEA Act 2017.

IPEA’s personal advice comes in the form of verbal or written guidance, or recommendations given for the use of parliamentary travel resources. IPEA can provide personal advice over the phone, in person or in writing.

Further information on IPEA's function to give personal advice is available in the Personal Advice Fact Sheet.

Appointment of Staff to receive personal advice on behalf of their parliamentarian

Current and former parliamentarians must specifically appoint people that they wish to seek and receive personal advice on their behalf. This enables the advice to be given as if it is given to the parliamentarian and therefore still attract:

  • the disclosure exemption on personal advice under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and
  • the ‘safe harbour’ provisions under section 58 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.

If no appointment is made, only the parliamentarian themselves may seek personal advice from IPEA.

Current parliamentarians are able to appoint a MOPS staff member employed by them through the ‘Manage Authorisations’ tile in PEMS. Please refer to the Ministerial and Parliamentary Services guide on Manage Authorisations for further information.

Former parliamentarians are able to appoint any person and should contact IPEA at enquiries@ipea.gov.au or on (02) 6215 3000 for information on this process.

Travel Advice Certificates (TACs)

Travel Advice Certificates (TACs) are provided by IPEA to enable parliamentarians and their staff to have formal written guidance on the statutory compliance of planned travel. A TAC provides clear, written guidance about a specific travel enquiry before travel is undertaken.

Further information on TACs is available in the Personal Advice Fact Sheet.

More information

  • For travel related queries or advice, please contact IPEA on (02) 6215 3000 or by email to enquiries@ipea.gov.au.
  • For queries or advice on all non-travel related work expense matters, please contact Ministerial and Parliamentary Services on (02) 6215 3333 or by email to mpshelp@finance.gov.au.

Related content

Travel allowances

Parliamentarians may claim an allowance for accommodation, meals and incidental expenses for each overnight stay in accommodation in Australia that is not their home base

Parliamentarian travel

A parliamentarian must ensure that any expenditure for parliamentary business is consistent with the principles contained in the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017
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Acknowledgement of Country

The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to Land, Waters and Community.

We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past, present and emerging.