The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority now administers this function
This page is also maintained on the IPEA website on the Office personal advice advice page. You are encouraged to update your bookmarks if necessary to the IPEA page.
One of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority’s (IPEA) key functions is to give personal advice to parliamentarians and their staff and former parliamentarians of parliament about their use of parliamentary travel and office expenses. This function is established by the IPEA Act 2017.
Pre-claim assessment
IPEA can provide personal advice on the use of office expenses under the PBR Act. To seek office advice provide the following information to enquiries@ipea.gov.au:
IPEA’s personal advice comes in the form of verbal or written guidance, or recommendations given for the use of parliamentary travel and office expenses. IPEA can provide personal advice over the phone, in person or in writing.
Further information on IPEA's function to give personal advice is available in the Personal Advice Fact Sheet.
IPEA can provide personal advice on the use of office expenses under the PBR Act. To seek office advice provide the following information to enquiries@ipea.gov.au:
- a description of the proposed claim (e.g. newsletter, poster, audio poster, personalised letterhead stationery, website, equipment, service, satellite office expense etc.)
- a link to the proposed resource (if available)
- if the proposed claim relates to a printed item, electronic material or an audio poster – a sample, printer’s proof or final print-ready copy, transcription of any audio, and if the item is not in English, an English translation
- an explanation of which parliamentary business activity the claim relates to and how the claim represents value for money (including high-level details of any value for money process undertaken).
Once the information has been received and assessed by IPEA, personal advice will be provided to you in writing advising whether the expenses may be claimed.
Personal advice is provided based on the material and information provided to IPEA. Where changes are made after personal advice has been provided, you can seek updated advice. It is important to be aware that the previous advice will not stand and cannot be relied upon to support the claim.
Personal advice only considers the use of office expenses against the requirements of the PBR Act. It is the responsibility of each parliamentarian to ensure any other legal requirements or authorisations are met.
Appointment of staff to receive personal advice on behalf of their parliamentarian
Current and former parliamentarians must specifically appoint people that they wish to seek and receive personal advice on their behalf. This enables the advice to be given as if it is given to the parliamentarian and therefore still attract:
- the disclosure exemption on personal advice under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and
- the ‘safe harbour’ provisions under section 58 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.
If no appointment is made, only the parliamentarian themselves may seek personal advice from IPEA.
Current parliamentarians are able to appoint a MOPS staff member employed by them through the ‘Manage Authorisations’ tile in PEMS. Please refer to the Ministerial and Parliamentary Services guide on Manage Authorisations- external site for further information.
Former parliamentarians are able to appoint any person and should contact IPEA at enquiries@ipea.gov.au or on (02) 6215 3000 for information on this process.
How to request personal advice
You can request personal advice from IPEA:
- over the phone on (02) 6215 3000 - Monday to Friday 9-5pm (Canberra time)
- in writing to enquiries@ipea.gov.au, or
- face-to-face by making an appointment with one of our team.
Please note personal advice is based on information provided to IPEA. Any changes may make this advice inaccurate. IPEA is able to provide additional advice if circumstances or plans change.