Q1. What are the Whole of Australian Government (WoAG) Travel Arrangements?
A1. The Whole of Australian Government (WoAG) Travel Arrangements are coordinated procurements established by the Department of Finance (Finance). These arrangements include Deeds of Standing Offer for:
- Travel Management Services (including Domestic Accommodation)
- Domestic and International Air Travel Services
- Travel and Card Related Services
- Car Rental Services.
The primary goal of these arrangements is to ensure that government entities can travel efficiently and cost-effectively while adhering to government policies. By leveraging the collective purchasing power of the government, the WoAG Travel Arrangements negotiate favourable rates and terms with service providers, resulting in significant cost savings for participating entities. Additionally, these arrangements streamline the travel booking and management process, making it easier for government employees to plan and execute their travel.
Q2. Is it mandatory for entities to participate in the Arrangements?
A2. Yes, participation in the WoAG Travel Arrangements is mandatory for Non-Corporate Commonwealth Entities (NCEs) in accordance with section 4.10 of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs). The mandatory elements include:
- All domestic and international flights originating in Australia must be booked through Corporate Travel Management (CTM) and paid for using a National Australia Bank (NAB) account or other financial arrangements as agreed with CTM.
- All domestic accommodation and car rental must be paid using a NAB account or other financial arrangements as agreed with CTM.
- All domestic accommodation is to be booked through CTM, except where an entity pays its travellers an allowance for accommodation or where conference accommodation is provided in an all-inclusive registration.
- All domestic car rental services are to be booked through Hertz, either through CTM or directly with Hertz. Exceptions apply for rentals in rural locations where Hertz does not have an outlet within a reasonable proximity.
- Corporate Commonwealth Entities (CCEs) can elect to participate in the Arrangements with the agreement of Finance.
Q3. What happens if I don’t use the Arrangements?
A3. Entities that do not use the WoAG Travel Arrangements may miss out on the negotiated discounts and streamlined processes that these arrangements offer. This can result in higher travel costs and less efficient travel management. Additionally, non-compliance with the mandatory participation requirement for NCEs can lead to administrative issues and potential non-compliance with government policies. It is highly recommended that all eligible entities use the WoAG Travel Arrangements to ensure they benefit from the cost savings, improved travel management, and compliance with government travel policies.
Q4. What are the benefits of the Arrangements?
A4. The WoAG Travel Arrangements offer several benefits, including:
- Aggregation of government purchasing power to obtain better pricing and value for money outcomes.
- Reduction of administrative costs for procurement activities.
- Promotion of simplicity and efficiency for official travel.
- Objectives include reducing the cost of travel services, meeting business needs, contributing to a competitive travel industry, ensuring fair and transparent processes, and optimising government savings through cost reductions and improved efficiencies.
Q5. Do entities participating in the Arrangements have to comply with the WoAG Travel Policies?
A5. Yes, participating entities must comply with the requirements of the following WoAG Travel Policies when booking official air travel:
- Resource Management Guide No. 404 - Official Domestic Air Travel - Use of the Lowest Practical Fare (LPF).
- Resource Management Guide No. 405 - Official International Air Travel - Use of the Best Fare of the Day (IBF).
Q6. What are the approval requirements for official international travel?
A6. Officials should refer to their entity's Accountability Authority Instructions (AAIs) for information regarding approval requirements that apply to international travel.
Q7. A Remuneration Tribunal determination exists with respect to a senior executive of my entity. Do the requirements of the Official International Travel Policy apply?
A7. Office holders subject to a Determination of the Remuneration Tribunal are encouraged to comply with the spirit and intent of the Official International Travel Policy.
Q8. Can I use the Arrangements to book personal Travel?
A8. No. the arrangements must not be used for stand-alone personal or leisure travel. Where personal or leisure travel is attached to official travel, officials are to refer to their entity’s internal controls for the requirements that apply.
