Applying requirements for international travel

For international travel, officials should obtain 3 quotes from different airline groups.

• quotes should be for the same or equivalent fare class, and
• must include the cheapest available fare as one of the options.

Officials should use contracted panel airlines where they represent value for money, however officials are not restricted to these airlines. For travel with non-panel airlines, officials must not include their loyalty program membership details.

For simple international travel, such as point-to-point travel, officials should book through the Online Booking Tool (OBT). Quotes may be obtained through the OBT, via capturing screenshots of online pricing and fare conditions or through a Travel Management Company (TMC) consultant.

Entities must consult with their Cabinet Minister to determine and agree on an appropriate approval threshold for significant international travel. Once agreed, these requirements must be documented in the entity’s Accountable Authority Instructions. Consistent with the approach to other delegations, entities should seek agreement again where there is a change in the relevant Minister.

A ‘through’ fare is a single booking for the complete trip, from origin to destination.

Better value for money is achieved when booking ‘through’ fares and as such, officials should book through fares rather than separate domestic and international tickets, as they often represent better value for money.

For example, a single ticket from Canberra to London, rather than separate tickets from Canberra to Sydney and Sydney to London.

Through fares:

• allow baggage to be checked through to the final destination
• provide airlines and the TMC with full visibility of connections, and
• support better management of delays and missed connections.

Where considered necessary, officials are encouraged to seek personal medical advice before undertaking international travel. This may include vaccinations for some destinations.

Officials are also encouraged to familiarise themselves with any internal entity policies regarding health and safety while travelling for official business.

Officials should refer to travel advice provided by Smartraveller for country specific information.

Officials should also refer to the travel cover policy in the Comcover Statement of Cover.

If you are travelling overseas on official business, you should have an official Australian Government passport and obtain all relevant visa/s before departure.

Prior to leaving Australia, officials are encouraged to subscribe to Smartraveller before departure to receive relevant travel updates.

Officials with security clearances must report international travel to the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency.