Review of kilometre rate under sub-section 16(6) effective 1 October 2003
Background
- Sub-section 16(6) of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (the SRC Act) provides that Comcare is liable to pay compensation where an employee reasonably incurs expenditure travelling to obtain medical treatment. This applies only where the length of travel (including return travel) exceeds 50 kilometres.
- The rate payable per kilometre is an amount specified by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.
3. Previously, t — he Minister approved a rate of 4 — 2 cents per kilometre, effective on and from 1 July 2001.
Policy Advice
4. The total increase in the relevant CPI components under the category 'Transportation – Private Motoring' for the period December 2000 to June 2003 was 13%. When applied to the current kilometre rate of 4 — 2 cents, the rate per kilometre rate increases by 5 cents to 4 — 7 cents.
5. On 12 September 2003 t — he Minister approved Comcare's recommendation f — or an increase in the rate to 47 cents per kilometre. A Notice of Declaration to this effect was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Government Notices Gazette No 39 of 1 October 2003. Copies of the signed Notice and gazetted Notice are attached.
6 The rate per kilometre payable under sub section 16(6) of the SRC Act is therefore 4 — 7 cents with effect on and from 1 October 2003.
7 Any issues relevant to this policy advice may be discussed with Compensation and Injury Management Policy on 1300 366 979.
SRC Act Policy and Support
Comcare
October 200 — 3
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