Private Travel (International) - What Can I Claim?
The Living Expense – Private Travel (International) benefit allows you to salary package eligible overseas travel expenses that do not have Australian GST component. This benefit can be used for personal international travel costs, provided the expense has been incurred by you or your spouse/partner and is supported by acceptable documentation.
What you can claim
- International flights
- International accommodation costs
- Expenses paid by you or your spouse/de facto partner
- Overseas expenses where the Australian dollar (AUD) value can be verified
What you can't claim
- Third-party paid expenses (i.e. expenses paid entirely by someone other than you or your spouse/partner)
Documentation Requirements
Proof of Purchase
To claim an expense, you must provide proof of purchase that includes:
- The supplier's tax invoice
- The purchase or invoice date
- A description of the expense
- The amount charged
Proof of Payment
You must also provide proof of payment that confirms the expense has been paid. Acceptable proof of payment includes:
- Direct debit confirmations
- Tax invoices that show payment details
- EFT receipts with the matching tax invoice
- Bank statements showing the transaction
For overseas expenses, you must also provide:
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Evidence of the AUD conversion, such as:
- A credit card statement showing the exchange rate; or
- A documented exchange rate applicable on the transaction date (for example, from a recognised currency conversion service)
Documentation That Cannot Be Accepted
Claims cannot be processed where:
- The receipt or invoice does not clearly identify the expense
- Only an EFTPOS receipt is provided without a supporting tax invoice
- The expense is not an eligible living expense
- The documentation is in a language other than English
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Scenario-Based Examples
Can I claim my overseas holiday flights to Japan?
Emily purchases return flights to Japan and pays for them using her personal credit card. She provides the airline tax invoice and a credit card statement showing the AUD conversion. The expense can be claimed because it is an eligible overseas travel expense and she provided valid proof of purchase and payment.*
Can I claim accommodation booked for an overseas holiday?
Michael books accommodation in New Zealand and provides the booking confirmation, tax invoice, payment receipt, and evidence of the AUD conversion. The accommodation cost may be claimed if it is eligible salary packaging benefit and is supported by valid proof of purchase and payment.*
Can I claim an international hotel booking that my friend paid for?
Sarah's friend paid the full hotel invoice using their own credit card. Because Sarah did not incur or pay for the expense herself and it was paid entirely by another person, she cannot claim it.*
Can I claim part of an invoice that was paid by my spouse?
If Liam's spouse paid the expense, and evidence of the tax invoice and payment can be provided, the amount paid by his spouse may be claimed and if the eligibility criteria is met. Spouse includes a de facto partner.*
Can I claim an overseas expense using a receipt written only in another language?
Receipts or invoices submitted in a language other than English is not an eligible proof of purchase or payment and cannot be claimed.*
Can I claim a cash advance taken from my credit card while travelling overseas?
Cash advances are not eligible under the Living Expenses benefit and cannot be salary packaged.*
Can I claim a hotel booking if I've only paid a deposit?
Sophie books accommodation and pays a deposit to secure the reservation. She provides the booking confirmation and proof of the deposit payment. Sophie cannot claim the expense at this stage, as the deposit alone does not confirm the proof of the actual expense and will need to provide evidence of full payment with the final invoice.*