Parliamentarian travel

Principles-based framework

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

Parliamentarians must ensure that the principles are upheld, and comply with the following obligations when claiming any travel expenses.

The framework requires parliamentarians:

• use public resources for the dominant purpose of parliamentary business
• conduct their parliamentary business in a way that achieves value for money
• meet any conditions connected to expenses and allowances they claim
• are prepared to be personally responsible and accountable for their use of public resources in the conduct of their parliamentary business
• are prepared to publicly justify their use of public resources in conducting their parliamentary business
• act ethically and in good faith in using, and accounting for the use of, public resources in the conduct of their parliamentary business.

More information is available on the Principles-Based Framework.

What is parliamentary business?

‘Parliamentary business’ includes activities that fall within four streams:

• Parliamentary duties: covers activities of the parliamentarian that relate directly to the parliamentarian’s role
• Electorate duties: activities of the parliamentarian that support or serve their constituents
• Party political duties: activities of the parliamentarian that are connected with both their political party and their membership of the Parliament, or the redistribution or abolishment of their electoral division
• Official duties: activities that relate to the parliamentarian’s role as an office holder or minister

Further information on parliamentary business is available in the Parliamentarians Business Resources (Parliamentary Business) Determination 2025.

More information

• Additional information on the Principles-Based 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.