Conduct and behaviour
When undertaking official travel, officials must model suitable behaviour. Officials must comply with APS Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct at all times.
Officials must ensure that their actions, behaviour and decisions during official travel must be able to withstand appropriate scrutiny.
While on duty in Australia and overseas, officials are representing the Australian Government in both official duties and private conduct.
Official must understand their obligations before travelling overseas on official business. For more information, refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) Code of Conduct for Overseas Service. The APSC also has advice for working overseas.
Fare flexibility
How much flexibility should I allow for when booking my trip?
The Online Booking Tool (OBT) displays fares in categories that reflect different levels of flexibility, depending on flight availability.
Officials should select restricted or fee‑for‑flexibility fares where travel start and finish times can be reasonably predicted. Flexibility should only be included where it is genuinely needed.
For example:
- where arrival time is fixed, flexibility is generally not required, and
- where departure time is uncertain, a fare which includes flexibility may be appropriate and provide better value for money.
Where the cheapest fare within the same class of travel includes greater flexibility, that fare should always be selected.
Fare types
The following fare types describe the level of flexibility and associated conditions.
Xtra Restricted: Changes and cancellations are not permitted, or high fees may apply.
Semi‑restricted: Changes and refunds are permitted for a fee. The ticket may be held as a credit.
Fee for flexibility: Refunds are permitted subject to a fee.
Included flexibility: Changes and cancellations are permitted without fees. The ticket is fully refundable.
Business: Business class fares.
Panel airlines
A panel of airlines has been contracted under the Travel Arrangements. These airlines provide competitive fares and improved travel conditions.
Panel airlines may offer:
- competitive pricing
- increased baggage allowances
- reduced or waived changed fees
- more flexible fare conditions
- additional inclusions.
Domestic Tier 1 airlines
- Jetstar
- Rex
- Qantas
International Tier 1 airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Emirates
- Etihad
- Jetstar
- Qantas
- Qatar
- Singapore Airlines
International Tier 2 airlines
- Air New Zealand
- Air Niugini
- Fiji Airways
- Garuda Indonesia
- LATAM
- Royal Brunei
- Thai Airways
Workplace health and safety
When travelling for work, officials must take reasonable care for their health and safety, and that of others. If any injury or incident occurs while travelling for work, report it to your entity as soon as possible.
Workers' compensation arrangements continue to apply when officials travel for work. Officials who are injured during work related travel may submit a claim in line with their entity’s arrangements.
Officials remain responsible for their health and safety outside of work, as far as reasonably practicable. A claim may be rejected if an injury during an activity that is not:
- a work function
- reasonably connected to work, or
- reasonably incidental to travel.
Activities that are incidental to travel may include, eating in a restaurant with your colleagues. When travelling, officials should always use a safe means of transport, such as a roadworthy vehicle. Officials should also follow airlines instructions regarding in-flight safety.
Officials should identify their insurer (Comcover for most Commonwealth entities) and understand how to access 24-hour medical and emergency service while travelling.
