Changes have been made to clarify that:

• The Ministers' Office Administration Handbook is the authoritative source of guidance in respect of travel by Ministers and Ministers' staff.
• Contract 1008 for Travel Management Services must not be used to book private travel whether for public officials or any other person.
• If it is appropriate and necessary to arrange private travel as an adjunct to official travel, a public official may choose to use the services of the supplier approved under Contract 1008 in a private capacity provided that:
  • "NSW Government rates" under Contract 1008 are not applied to the private travel;
  • The private travel is paid for separately at the time of the booking from the public official's private accounts; and
  • The private booking is made at the same time as the booking for official travel.
• Requests to take private leave while undertaking overseas trips, or conversely extending private trips for official purposes, should not be encouraged. Each application should be considered on its merits via written submission to the portfolio Minister.

Responsibility for administering the Policy on Official Travel within Australia and Overseas is being transferred from the Public Service Commission to the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Day-to-day management of Contract 1008 remains the responsibility of the Department of Finance and Services (NSW Procurement).

Additional information about travel-related expenditure may be obtained from the following sources:

• Information on meal, travelling and other allowances under the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award are adjusted annually. Circulars are issued by NSW Industrial Relations (http://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au).
• Information on domestic and overseas travelling allowances for the Chief and Senior Executive, Senior Officers, Statutory Officers, and Part-Time Members of Boards and Committees, are issued annually via the Public Service Commission. Circulars are available at http://www.psc.nsw.gov.au/Policies/PSC-Circulars---Memoranda.

This Memorandum applies to all agencies and employees in the Government Service (Public Service Departments, Non-Public Service Divisions and Special Employment Divisions), the Teaching Service, NSW Police Force, the Transport Service and the NSW Health Service.

The Treasurer will write separately to State Owned Corporations and Public Trading Enterprises concerning adoption of the provisions in this Memorandum.

Barry O'Farrell MP
Premier

Note: This information is updated here: OFS-2014-07-Official Travel in Australia and Overseas