Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025C00160:reg:2:p20
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025C00160
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2 (pt 20/51)
Character Range: 3327711–3332709

Officer                           20.00
4.    Officer                                   30.00

15.4.21 Exemptions from rent and utilities contribution

1.  The member is not required to pay a rent and utilities contribution if all these conditions are met.
    a.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The member's partner normally lives with the member.
    b.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The member is required to be unaccompanied at the post.
    c.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The requirement is due to hardship, safety or the length of the long-term posting.
2.  Sometimes, a member's partner may be absent from the member's posting location. When this happens, the CDF may waive the rent and utilities contribution for a period. Approval may only be given if the CDF is satisfied that the absence is for a maximum period of time and reason shown in this table.

Item  Period of absence  Reason for absence
1.    13 weeks           The member's partner has delayed their departure to allow the member's child to finish a school term or year at the school that the child attended immediately before the posting.
2.    9 weeks            Any of these reasons.
                         a. The member's partner has made an early departure to allow the member's child to begin school at a new location at the beginning of a school year or term.
                         b. The member's partner is eligible to be reimbursed the fares for the travel for any of these purposes.

                         i. Visiting another location for compassionate reasons.
                         ii. Obtaining medical treatment at another location.
                         iii. Escorting the member or dependant requiring medical treatment at another location.
                         iv. Supervising the enrolment of the member's child at a boarding school in Australia.

3.  A rent and utilities contribution is not payable following the death of a member.

Division 5: Reductions to rent and utilities contributions

15.4.22 Purpose

   The purpose of this Division is to provide a member with a reduction in their rent and utilities contributions in some situations.

15.4.22A Posting to hardship locations

   If the member's posting location has a hardship location grade, the sum of the following contributions that would be payable by the member is reduced by AUD 10 a week.
   a.                                                                                                                                                                       Rent contribution under section 15.4.18.
   b.                                                                                                                                                                       Utilities contribution under section 15.4.18A.

15.4.23 Maintaining a household in Australia

1.  If the member establishes or maintains a home in Australia to accommodate a dependant, the following apply.
    a.                                                                                                                                                          Subject to subsection 3, the member's rate of rent contribution payable under section 15.4.18 may be reduced by the CDF.
    b.                                                                                                                                                          The member does not have to pay a utilities contribution.
2.  In setting the reduced rate of rent contribution, the CDF must consider all of the following.
    a.                                                                                                                                                          The costs incurred by the member.
    b.                                                                                                                                                          The reason the member established the household.
    c.                                                                                                                                                          The location where the dependant lives before and after the beginning