Travel allowances
Travel allowance rates for parliamentarians and office holders
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. A parliamentarian may only claim travel allowance after travel has been completed.
Parliamentarians must apply the obligations when claiming these allowances, ensuring that any expenses claimed are for the dominant purpose of parliamentary business, that it represents value for money, that the expense is incurred in good faith, and be prepared to publicly defend the expense.
Once the principles are met, travel allowance may be claimed anywhere in Australia for the purpose of conducting parliamentary business, subject to the following limit:
- 10 nights in a financial year when the dominant purpose is either for conducting the parliamentarian's:
- party political duties at a location other than Canberra, or
- electorate duties at places outside the parliamentarian's electorate.
Note: a night in transit can be claimed for the purpose of facilitating travel for the above reasons, and the night in transit would not be debited from the 10 night limit.
The travel allowance rates are set by the Remuneration Tribunal and vary depending on the travel location.
- Commercial accommodation means accommodation in a commercial establishment such as a hotel, motel, or serviced apartment. Parliamentarians must provide a receipt for the commercial accommodation, or indicate that the receipt is available on request.
- Non-commercial rates are paid for stays in non-commercial accommodation, such as the home of a family member or friend.
- In Canberra, there is one standard travel allowance rate and therefore no distinction between commercial and non-commercial rates.
Where a parliamentarian self-identities as having a physical limitation or impairment, and requires accessible accommodation, an accommodation adjustment to the rate of TA may be claimed in accordance with Section 5.5A of the Remuneration Tribunal (Members of Parliament) Determination 2024.
Travel allowance rates
Claiming travel allowance
To claim travel allowance, parliamentarians can lodge a claim via PEMS. For guidance on how to claim in PEMS, please refer to Create a travel allowance claim.
Alternatively, parliamentarians can complete the parliamentarian’s travel and/or private vehicle claim form and send it with supporting documentation to forms@ipea.gov.au.
IPEA aims to process correct claims within 7 working days. Banking process may add an additional 24-48 hours.
Private vehicle allowance
Parliamentarians may claim private vehicle allowance when travelling between their home base and Canberra in a private vehicle. The travel by private vehicle may be for all or part of the journey.
The allowance covers fuel and other running costs for a parliamentarian to travel between their home base and Canberra in the parliamentarian's private vehicle.
The definition of a ‘private vehicle’ in relation to a parliamentarian, or a family member or a parliamentarian:
- includes any vehicles owned by the parliamentarian or a family member
- does not include a private plated vehicle provided by the Commonwealth.
The current private vehicle allowance rate is listed on the Travel rates page.
Private vehicle allowance is not subject to withholding tax, up to 5,000km per financial year.
After 5,000km, IPEA withholds tax in accordance with ATO requirements.
In certain circumstances, other expenses may be claimed when using a privately owned vehicle:
- parking fees
- costs for relief drivers
- car ferry costs.
More information
- For information about travel allowance rates set by the Remuneration Tribunal, see the Remuneration Tribunal (Members of Parliament) Determination 2024.
- Additional information on the expenses framework can be found on the Legislative framework page.
- 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.
