Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment Determination (No. 17) 2026

Contents

1Name#

This instrument is the Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment Determination (No. 17) 2026.

2Commencement#

1. Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Commencement information
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Provisions	Commencement	Date/Details
1. The whole of this Instrument.	8 October 2026

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.

2. Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.

3Authority#

This instrument is made under section 58B of the Defence Act 1903.

1	Section 1.3.3
	Before “Member undergoing recategorisation training means”, insert “1.”.
2	At the end of paragraph 1.3.3.b
	Add:
2.	A member ceases being a member undergoing recategorisation training if they cease training in a capacity listed under Schedule B.13 of DFRT Determination No. 2 of 2017, Salaries.
3.	A member does not cease to be a member undergoing recategorisation training because of any of the following.
	a.	They are suspended from the training.
	b.	They cease the training program in connection with a decision to end their service.
	c.	All of the following apply.
		i.	The member was undergoing categorisation training in connection with a Service transfer.Note: A member may transfer to another Service within the ADF under section 14 of the Defence Regulation.
		ii.	They have been removed from the training program.
		iii.	They are to be transferred back to their previous Service.

Schedule 2

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

1	After section 6.1.3
	Insert:

	This Division applies to a member, including a member of the Reserves and a former member.
2	Paragraph 6.1.5.b
	Omit “Australia”, substitute “Australia to commence a long-term posting overseas”.
3	Paragraph 6.1.7.1.a
	Omit “dual service”, substitute “dual serving”.
4	Subsection 6.1.7.2
	Repeal the subsection, substitute:
2.	For the purpose of subsection 1, if a member, their resident family or recognised other persons are removed separately to the same location, the removal is treated as 1 removal.Note: This subsection applies if the removals are from the same location or different locations.
3.	An additional removal under section 6.5.46A is not counted as a removal for the purpose of disturbance allowance.
5	At the end of section 6.5.46A
	Add:
	Note: A removal under this section is in addition to a removal under section 6.5.46 and together are counted as only one removal in total under section 6.1.7 for the purpose of disturbance allowance under Division 1 of Part 1 of Chapter 6.

Schedule 3

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

1	Section 12.3.1 (subparagraph a.ii to the definition of accepted period)
	Omit “meals and incidentals”, substitute “meal allowance and incidentals allowance”.
2	Section 12.3.1
	Insert:
	Incidentals allowance has the same meaning given in section 12.3.6.
	Meal allowance has the same meaning given in section 12.3.10.
3	After section 12.3.5
	Insert:

1.	Incidentals allowance means the amount specified for incidentals allowance for international travel on the Defence intranet as the daily limit incidentals that apply to the location travelled to.
2.	For the purpose of subsection 1, the location travelled to is one of the following.
	a.	If the location is specified — the location.
	b.	If the location is not specified and "other" is provided for the country the member has travelled to — the location is "other" as applied to that country.
	c.	If the country for the location is specified and no other location data is provided — the country.
	d.	If paragraphs a, b or c do not apply, one of the following.
		i.	If the location travelled to is in Europe — the location is Europe.
		ii.	If the location travelled to is in South America or Central America — the location is South & Central America.
		iii.	If the location travelled to is in South Asia — the location is South Asia.
		iv.	If the location travelled to is not in Europe, South America, Central America or South Asia — the location is Elsewhere.
4	After section 12.3.9
	Insert:

1.	Meal allowance means the amount specified for meal allowance for international travel on the Defence intranet as the daily limit meals that apply to the location travelled to.
2.	For the purpose of subsection 1, the location travelled to is one of the following.
	a.	If the location is specified — the location.
	b.	If the location is not specified and "other" is provided for the country the member has travelled to — the location is "other" as applied to that country.
	c.	If the country for the location is specified and no other location data is provided — the country.
	d.	If paragraphs a, b or c do not apply, one of the following.
		i.	If the location travelled to is in Europe — the location is Europe.
		ii.	If the location travelled to is in South America or Central America — the location is South & Central America.
		iii.	If the location travelled to is in South Asia — the location is South Asia.
		iv.	If the location travelled to is not in Europe, South America, Central America or South Asia — the location is Elsewhere.
5	Subsection 12.5.5.4
	Repeal the subsection, substitute:
4.	The rate of meal supplement assistance for a person required to isolate outside of Australia is one of the following.
	a.	If the person is 13 years old or older — the rate of meal allowance.
	b.	If the person is younger than 13 years old — two-thirds of the rate of meal allowance.
	Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
6	Section 12.5.6 (heading)
	After “Incidentals”, insert “allowance”.
7	Subsections 12.5.6.2 and 12.5.6.3
	Repeal the subsections, substitute:
2.	The member is eligible for incidentals allowance.Note: Incidentals allowance is defined in section 12.3.6.
8	Section 12.8.16
	Omit “daily limit for meals provided under Annex 13.3.A”, substitute “rate of meal allowance”.
9	Section 12.8.16 (note)
	Repeal the note, substitute:
	Note 1: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.Note 2: The cost of alcoholic beverages are not reimbursable.
10	Paragraph 13.2.11.8.b
	Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
	b.	Meal allowance.Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
	c.	Incidentals allowance.Note: Incidentals allowance is defined in section 12.3.6.
11	Paragraph 13.2.13.2.c
	Omit “same daily limit as the member’s meal costs benefit under Annex 13.3.A for short-term duty overseas”, substitute “rate of meal allowance”.
12	Section 13.3.4
	Repeal the section.
13	Subsection 13.3.6.1
	Repeal the subsection, substitute:
1.	A member who lives out while on short-term duty or peacetime deployment overseas is eligible for all of following.
	a.	The cost of accommodation for each night that is of a reasonable standard for all of the following.
		i.	The member’s rank.
		ii.	The nature of the duties performed by the member.
	b.	Meal allowance.Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
	c.	Incidentals allowance.Note: Incidentals allowance is defined in section 12.3.6.
14	Subsection 13.3.6.4
	Repeal the subsection.
15	Section 13.3.7
	Repeal the section.
16	Section 13.3.8 (heading)
	After “benefits”, insert “– accommodation costs and meal allowance”.
17	Subsection 13.3.8.1
	Omit “meal costs”, substitute “meal allowance”.
18	Subsection 13.3.8.4
	Omit “meal amount for a member who meets all of the following is two-thirds the amount which they would otherwise be eligible for under section 13.3.6”, substitute “meal allowance payable to a member who meets all of the following is two-thirds of the rate of meal allowance”.
19	Section 13.3.9 (heading)
	Omit “for meals”, substitute “of meal allowance”.
20	Section 13.3.9
	Omit “rate for meals” (wherever occurring), substitute “rate of meal allowance”.
21	Subsection 13.3.9.2 (note)
	Repeal the note, substitute:
	Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
22	Subsection 13.3.9.3 (note)
	Repeal the note, substitute:
	Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
23	Section 13.3.10
	Repeal the section, substitute:

	The rate of incidentals allowance is payable at half the rate of incidentals allowance they would have been eligible for had they been in the location for a day if any of the following apply.
	a.	The member arrives in the location after noon.
	b.	The member departs the location before noon.
	Note: Under this rule, a member who is eligible for a reduced rate of incidentals allowance under sections 13.3.10A or 13.3.10B on the day they arrive at or leave the location, is eligible to receive half of the reduced rate of incidentals allowance that is payable.

1.	The rate of incidentals allowance is payable at half the rate after spending a continuous period of 28 days in the same location on any of the following.
	a.	Short-term duty.
	b.	Peacetime deployment.
2.	The continuity of the 28 days in subsection 1 is not broken if all of the following apply.
	a.	The member is absent from the location for less than 7 days.
	b.	The absence is in connection with undertaking short-term duty or peacetime deployment.

	The rate of incidentals allowance is payable at half the specified rate if any of the following apply.
	a.	The member is on a long-term posting overseas, and they go on short-term duty within the country they are posted to.
	b.	The member is on leave in a country other than Australia and they are recalled to undertake short-term duty in that country.
	c.	The member is accommodated on board one of the following while it is visiting a port outside the country they are posted to.
		i.	A seagoing ship.
		ii.	A seagoing submarine.
24	Paragraph 13.3.13.a
	Repeal the subsection, substitute:
	a.	Incidentals allowance.Note: Incidentals allowance is defined in section 12.3.6.
25	Subsection 13.3.15.2
	Repeal the subsection, substitute:
2.	Part-day travelling allowance is calculated at 60% of meal allowance.Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
26	Subsection 13.3.16.1 (table items 2 and 3)
	Repeal the table items, substitute:

2.	Meals	Amount the CDF considers reasonable, but not more than the daily limit of meal allowance.
3.	Incidentals	Incidentals allowance.

27	Annex 13.3.A
	Repeal the Annex.
28	Paragraph 13.4.5.2.b
	Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
	b.	Half the rate of incidentals allowance.Note: Incidentals allowance is defined in section 12.3.6.
29	Paragraphs 14.4.9.1.b and 14.4.9.1.c
	Repeal the paragraphs, substitute:
	b.	An amount up to the rate of meal allowance.Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
	c.	Half the rate of incidentals allowance.Note: Incidentals allowance is defined in section 12.3.6.
30	Paragraph 14.4.15.8.b
	Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
	b.	Meal allowance.Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
	c.	Incidentals allowance.Note: Incidentals allowance is defined in section 12.3.6.
31	Subsection 14.5.5.1
	Repeal the subsection, substitute:
1.	If a member is in a settling in period or settling out period , the member is eligible for the following for each day in that period.
	a.	For the member and each dependant 12 years or older — two-thirds of the rate of meal allowance.
	b	For each dependant less than 12 years old — two-thirds of the rate of meal allowance payable in paragraph a.
32	Subsections 14A.1.6A.2 and 14A.1.6A.3
	Repeal the subsections, substitute:
2.	Subject to subsection 3, the person is eligible for all of the following for the period that they are in the third location.
	a.	The costs of accommodation that the member would have been eligible for if section 13.3.6 applied.
	b.	Meal allowance.Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
	c.	Incidentals allowance.Note: Incidentals allowance is defined in section 12.3.6.
3.	All of the following apply to the calculation of meal allowance and incidentals allowance.
	a.	Section 13.3.9, Reduced rates of meal allowance on day of arrival or departure.
	b.	Section 13.3.10, Reduced rate of incidentals allowance — days of arrival and departure.
	c.	Section 13.3.10A, Reduced rate of incidentals allowance — extended periods.
	d.	Section 13.3.10B, Reduced rate of incidentals allowance — other circumstances.
33	Subsection 14A.2.6.3
	Repeal the subsection, substitute:
3.	Subject to subsection 4, the rate of meal supplement allowance is the rate of meal allowance.Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
34	Section 15.2A.1
	Omit “Meal allowances”, substitute “Meal allowance”.
35	Subparagraph 15.2A.28.2.a.i
	Repeal the subparagraph, substitute:
		i.	The rate of meal allowance.Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
36	Section 15.3.10
	Omit “costs for meals”, substitute “meal allowance”.
37	Section 15.3.16 (note)
	Omit “or incidental costs”, substitute “allowance or incidentals allowance”.
38	Subparagraph 15.3.17C.2.b
	Repeal the subparagraph, substitute:
	b.	Subject to subsection 3, the member is eligible for the following for each unavoidable stopover.
		i.	The costs of meals for each person 12 years or older up to the rate of meal allowance.Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
		ii.	The costs of meals for each person less than 12 years old up to two-thirds of the rate of meal allowance payable under subparagraph i.Note: Meal allowance is defined in section 12.3.10.
		iii.	Incidentals allowance for each person, as adjusted by section 13.3.10.Note: Incidentals allowance is defined in section 12.3.6.
39	Subsection 15.3.17C.3
	Repeal the subsection, substitute:
3.	Section 13.3.9 applies to the rate of meal allowance payable under subsection 2.
40	Subsection 15.3.17M.3 (note 2)
	Omit “Meals and incidentals costs”, substitute “Meal allowance and incidentals allowance”.
41	Annex 15.5.A (heading)
	Omit “, meals and incidentals”, substitute “and meal allowance”.
42	Annex 15.5.A (Part 1)
	Omit “for Colonel or lower in Annex 13.3.A” (wherever occurring).
43	Subsection 16.5.6.3
	Omit “travel costs during the stopover under Chapter 13, Short-term duty overseas”, substitute “accommodation, meal allowance and incidentals allowance during the stopover”.

Schedule 4

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

1	Subsection 7.8.23.2
	Repeal the subsection, substitute:
2.	The fortnightly rate of rent allowance is calculated using the following formula.
	Where:
	A	is the lower of the following.
		i.	the fortnightly rate of rent for the property.
		ii.	the fortnightly rent ceiling for the property.Note: Rent ceilings are provided under Division 2.
	B	is the member’s contribution.Note: Contributions are provided under Division 3.
	C	is the fortnightly rent paid by the subtenant.
2	Part 7 of Chapter 8 (heading)
	Omit “Court of Inquiry”, substitute “Commission of Inquiry”.
3	Section 8.7.2
	Repeal the section, substitute:

	In this Part, Commission of Inquiry has the same meaning as in regulation 74 of the Defence (Inquiry) Regulations 2018.
4	Subsection 8.7.3.2
	After “listed”, insert “in”.
5	Paragraph 8.7.3.2.b
	Omit “regulation 33 or regulation 121 of the Defence (Inquiry) Regulations 1985”, substitute “regulation 23 of the Defence (Inquiry) Regulations 2018”.
6	At the end of subsection 14.3.5.1
	Add:
	Note: Storage of items not removed overseas is provided under section 14.3.7.
7	Section 14.3.7
	Repeal the section, substitute:

1.	This section does not apply to an unaccompanied member who has dependants remaining in Australia.
2.	A member is eligible for the storage of furniture and effects not removed overseas if all of the following apply.
	a.	They are eligible for a removal under section 14.3.5.
	b.	Storage of the furniture and effects occurs in the period immediately before the member commences the long-term posting overseas.
3.	Storage of the furniture and effects is between the following dates.
	a.	The date the items are first put in storage under subsection 2.
	b.	The date the items are removed under section 14.3.11.
4.	In this section, storage means storage in a facility approved by the Commonwealth removalist in Australia.
8	Amendments of listed provisions—Commission of Inquiry
	Omit “Court of Inquiry”, substitute “Commission of Inquiry” in the following provisions.
	a.	Section 8.7.1 (wherever occurring).
	b.	Section 8.7.4.
	c.	Section 8.7.5.
	d.	Section 8.7.5A.
	e.	Section 8.7.6 (wherever occurring).
	f.	Section 8.7.7 (wherever occurring).
	g.	Section 8.7.10 (wherever occurring).
	h.	Section 8.7.12.

Schedule 5

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

1	After subdivision 10 of Division 2 of Part 2 of Chapter 1
	Insert:

	In this subdivision, the following apply.
	Amending determination means Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment Determination (No. 17) 2026.
	Travel costs means meal and incidental rates under Annex 13.3.A as in force immediately before the commencement of Schedule 3 of the amending determination.

1.	This clause applies to a member whose travel costs were approved before the commencement of Schedule 3 of the amending determination.
2.	If the rate of a payment for a meal allowance under the amending determination is less than the rate of payment for the meals component of the travel costs, the rate of meals component of travel costs applies.
3.	If the rate of a payment for incidentals allowance under the amending determination is less than the rate of payment for the incidentals component of the travel costs, the rate of the incidentals component of travel costs applies.

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at legislation.gov.au, © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Compilations may have been reformatted.

Commencement information

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Provisions

Commencement

Date/Details

1. The whole of this Instrument.

8 October 2026

Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment Determination (No. 17) 2026

1Name#

2Commencement#

3Authority#

4 Schedules #

Schedule 1 · amendments

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

Schedule 2

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

Schedule 3

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

Schedule 4

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

Schedule 5

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment Determination (No. 17) 2026

1Name#

2Commencement#

3Authority#

4 Schedules #

Schedule 1 · amendments

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

Schedule 2

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

Schedule 3

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

Schedule 4

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #

Schedule 5

Defence Determination 2016/19, Conditions of service #