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Deployment

Travel, accommodation and packing

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Travel

If you're travelling to an assigned Community Recovery location, the Community Recovery Travel Team will discuss all transport options and requirements when they contact you for deployment.

Wherever possible you must use government funded transport options, e.g. government vehicles, train, bus, or air to travel to and from your deployment location. Find more information in the Motor Vehicle Allowances Directive 20/16.

You can claim the costs of any eligible travel expenses you incur. Keep your receipts/tax invoices and attach these to your claim form.

Private car

A private car should only be used if there are no other reasonable options available.

If the required criteria for use of a private motor vehicle is met and the Community Recovery Travel Team has agreed in writing that you can drive your private car, you will be eligible to claim the associated expenses.

Taxi

The use of taxis for official departmental business, within or outside business hours, must only occur where:

  • a government vehicle is not available, or
  • public transport, including the Airtrain, is not available; is a safety concern; or is cost prohibitive.

Where required, taxi e-tickets may be available. Contact the Community Recovery Travel Team for more information by email: crbtravel@communityrecovery.qld.gov.au.

Air travel

Flights will be booked for Community Recovery (CR) workers if required. You will receive an email with flight details and a booking reference number.

Take your appropriate photo ID (e.g. driver licence, passport or social security card) to the airport for check-in and to obtain a boarding pass.

CR workers are not authorised to change their flight bookings which could incur additional costs. All changes to bookings are managed by the Community Recovery Travel Team through email: crbtravel@communityrecovery.qld.gov.au.

If you have a question

Accommodation

When Ready Reserves are deployed to a location requiring accommodation away from home, the Community Recovery Accommodation Team will arrange your room booking.

If a change to your booking is necessary, contact the Community Recovery Accommodation Team by email:  crbaccommodation@communityrecovery.qld.gov.au. Please do not change your own bookings.

You will be booked into a single room where possible, however you should consider the following may also occur:

  • you may need to share a hotel room with other deployed staff
  • you may be accommodated in a hall with multiple personnel
  • you may be sleeping on a camp bed or in a tent.

Get help with packing.

Private expenses, e.g. movie hire, mini-bar, private telephone calls, alcohol, or snacks are not to be charged to the room.

When checking out be sure that no ineligible or unexpected costs have been charged to your room—this is particularly important if you have been sharing accommodation.

Meals

Daily breakfast and dinner will be provided at your accommodation.

You may need to help prepare team meals, or eat pre-packaged meals, depending on the disaster impact and meal options available.

Due to the disaster it may not always be possible to cater for special dietary requirements. You should let your Team Leader and meal provider know of any special dietary requirements you have when you arrive in the disaster area.

Allowances

  • Meal allowance
    You will be entitled to claim a meal allowance if you are not provided with meals.
  • Incidental allowance
    An incidental allowance is paid each night you are away from home.
  • Hardship allowance
    When an RACQ 3-star rated property or equivalent is not available, a hardship allowance may be claimed.

Find more information about allowances.

What to pack

Ready Reserves deployed into a disaster area will be provided with as much information as is available at the time. The following suggestions may vary depending on the type of disaster and your own personal circumstances.

Keep in mind that washing facilities may not be available.

Remember to expect the unexpected and be flexible!

  • All Ready Reserves will be supplied with a Community Recovery shirt. Tell your deployment team member if you do not have one.
  • Light, neat, comfortable clothing sufficient for the period of your deployment and suitable for its location, e.g.:
    • full-length pants, trousers or jeans (covered legs to protect against pests)
    • long-sleeved lightweight shirts or T-shirts (in addition to your Community Recovery shirt)
  • Underwear and socks (sufficient for the period of your deployment)
  • Jumper or jacket, e.g. anorak or spray jacket
  • Sleepwear/pyjamas suitable for use within shared accommodation. Keep in mind you could be in a tent, school classroom or hall with multiple staff members.
  • Hat (large brimmed hat if possible)
  • Raincoat or rain poncho.

  • 2 pairs of closed-in comfortable footwear suitable for work, e.g. joggers, hiking boots, gumboots, lace-up shoes (in case one pair becomes wet or muddy).
  • Thongs and sandals are not to be worn during deployment..

  • Reading glasses
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent—preferably with DEET as active ingredient
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser gel wash (sufficient for the period of your deployment)
  • Personal safety kit (Band-Aids, antiseptic cream, etc.)
  • Personal toiletries, and medication
  • Earplugs, if desired
  • Small amount of washing powder
  • Towel (hand towels may be handy in hot and humid weather)
  • Umbrella
  • Mobile phone and battery charger (for personal use). Information will be provided on any anticipated reception/coverage issues in the disaster area.
  • Small amount of cash, i.e. $50-$60, unless advised otherwise
  • 1 x 600ml bottle of water
  • Small snacks, e.g. muesli bars, chocolate, jelly beans, biscuits, mouth fresheners.

  • Bank account details including bank name, account name, BSB and account number. You need this to complete your travel allowance claim documents
  • Taxi e-Tickets (for travel to/from home airport, if required)
  • Driver licence
  • Queensland Government or Community Recovery name badge (after your first deployment you can request a a Community Recovery name badge)
  • Queensland Government employee identification card or other photo identification
  • Queensland Government corporate card, if available
  • Personal credit card (accommodation may require imprint during your stay).

Baggage limits

Consider the following limitations when packing. Unless you are advised otherwise, usual baggage limits are:

  • 7kg carry-on
  • 23kg checked baggage.

If you have a question

More information

Last updated:
20 September 2023