Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025C00160:reg:3:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025C00160
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 1/5)
Character Range: 3207840–3214001

3   If subsection 2 applies, and the member receives a benefit under this Part, the member must repay the amount received.

Division 2: Cost of living adjustment

15.2A.10 Purpose

   Cost of living adjustment is an allowance provided to a member at a posting location where goods and services are more expensive than in Australia. It has both the following purposes.
   a.                                                                                                                                                                                       To help maintain the purchasing power of a member's income.
   b.                                                                                                                                                                                       To provide the member with an equivalent standard of living at the overseas post to that in Australia.

15.2A.11 Eligibility for cost of living adjustment

1.  A member is eligible for a cost of living adjustment for the duration of the posting period overseas.
2.  The member is not eligible for a cost of living adjustment if the member's post index is 100 or less.

15.2A.12 Rate of cost of living adjustment

1.           The cost of living adjustment is calculated using the following formula.

             Where:
             A                                                                                                                                                                                                                                is the member's fortnightly salary plus any of the following payable to the member.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              a.                                                                                                Higher duties allowance.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              b.                                                                                                A salary non-reduction supplement provided under section 3.2.56.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Note: No other allowances are to be included.
             B                                                                                                                                                                                                                                is the Pay As You Go tax and any levies withheld from the fortnightly salary calculated under A.
             C                                                                                                                                                                                                                                is the spendable salary factor determined by a data service provider.
             D                                                                                                                                                                                                                                is the post index for the member's posting location.
         1.  Note: The dual Commonwealth benefit rule under section 15.2A.9 does not apply to the cost of living adjustment. A member will receive this adjustment even if their partner also receives the adjustment or comparable benefit.
2.           The cost of living adjustment is paid fortnightly.

Division 3: Cost of posting allowance

15.2A.13 Purpose

   The cost of posting allowance helps to compensate a member for financial and non-financial disadvantage due to the overseas posting. These include the following.
   a.                                                                                                                                                                 Loss of family, friends and support networks in Australia.
   b.                                                                                                                                                                 High cost of maintaining links to Australia.
   c.                                                                                                                                                                 Missing out on significant family events or milestones.
   d.                                                                                                                                                                 Loss of partner income and superannuation.
   e.                                                                                                                                                                 Delay in partner career advancement.

15.2A.14 Period of eligibility

   The member is eligible for the cost of posting allowance for the duration of the posting period overseas.

15.2A.15 Rate of allowance

1.  In this section the following apply.
    Minimum amount means the following.
    a.                                                                                                                                                                                       For an accompanied member — 28% of the salary for a Major on pay grade 1 and increment O4-0 in Schedule B.3 Part 1 of DFRT Determination No. 2 of 2017, Salaries.
    b.                                                                                                                                                                                       For an unaccompanied member — 18% of the salary for a Major on pay grade 1 and increment O4-0 in Schedule B.3 Part 1 of DFRT Determination