Due to the ongoing developments of the COVID-19 outbreak and its implications for travel:

• All currently booked and approved international and domestic travel should be reevaluated in line with the most up to date travel advice available at www.smarttraveller.gov.au

• International and domestic travel should be restricted to essential travel only.

• Any change to planned travel should be done in accordance with the process for that cluster and/or agency.

International Travel Approvals

As per the current Travel and Transport Policy and Travel Operational Guidelines, the following approvals for international travel is required:

The portfolio Minister must approve all official overseas travel, including air charters, by public officials, including to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Subject to the Premier’s agreement, Ministers may delegate this function to Agency heads and the person in charge of any other public sector organisation or service reporting to the Minister. Overseas travel as part of an approved Public Service Commission Leadership Academy activity can be approved by the Public Service Commissioner under delegation from the Premier.

Links:

Travel and Transport Policy

Travel Operational Guidelines

For More Information

The current NSW Government travel management company, FCM Travel Management Solutions, has the ability to furnish NSW Government with a list of upcoming overseas travel for all NSW Government travellers to provide in order to assist cluster and agency approvers. The NSW Government Travel Management Company can assist with obtaining a credit for that flight, or a refund.

The NSW Treasury managed fund (TMF) provides protection to NSW Government agencies, parliamentarians, employees, officers and other approved persons against the insurable exposures and losses faced by government. Protection includes workers’ compensation and covers protection for illness such as the coronavirus.

Please note: employees are only covered if the trip is wholly for business purposes.

For up to date health and travel advice, see www.smarttraveller.gov.au

Timothy Reardon

Secretary