What is remote area benefit?
Remote area benefit is a tax concession from the Australian Federal Government which allows eligible employees to claim up to 50% of certain expenses associated with living and working in a remote location, as well as some travel costs. This benefit is on top of the standard salary packaging benefit.
Remote area benefits available
Remote area property purchase and housing benefits
These benefits include rent or mortgage interest payments and household fuels (gas, wood, electricity and oil). They only apply if your accommodation is in a remote area for the entire tenancy period. If you’ve purchased a property in a remote area to use as your primary residence, you may be eligible to salary package the cost of the property or land based on the original contract of sale.
Remote area travel benefits
These benefits relate to travel expenses to and from the remote area in which you work and live, whilst travelling for personal reasons for a minimum of three working days. Included is travel to the place where you lived before moving to your remote work location, or travel to the capital city of the state/territory in which your remote workplace is located.
Eligibility for remote area benefit
To be eligible for remote area benefit you must:
- Live in and work for an organisation in a location defined by the ATO as a remote area;
- Be renting or paying interest on a mortgage on the property in which you live in the remote area
- Use property purchase benefits in relation to building or purchasing a home and land, or extending an existing home
- Have been employed by your current employer at the time of purchase of property in which you live in the remote area
Remote area benefit examples
| Remote area residential property purchase | |
|---|---|
| 50% within limit | $15,900 |
| 50% in addition to limit | $15,900 |
| Living expenses still available ($15,900 - $15,900) | $0.0 |
| Total amount salary packaged | $31,800 |
| Remote area rent | |
|---|---|
| 50% within limit | $8,000 |
| 50% in addition to limit | $8,000 |
| Living expenses still available ($15,900 - $8,000) | $7,900 |
| Total amount salary packaged | $23,900 |
| Remote area mortgage interest | |
|---|---|
| 50% within limit | $11,400 |
| 50% in addition to limit | $11,400 |
| Living expenses still available ($15,900 - $11,400) | $4,500 |
| Total amount salary packaged | $27,300 |
How do I get started?
To discuss how you can benefit from living and working in a remote area, please email our friendly team at remote@cbb.com.au and request an information pack, or call customer care on 1300 763 505.
Remote Area Benefit FAQs
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If you live and work in a remote area, you might be able to salary package up to 50% of certain expenses. This benefit is designed to help offset the higher living and travel costs often associated with remote areas.
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You must both live and work in a remote area as defined by the Australian Tax Office (ATO). If you’re unsure whether your area qualifies, you can check the ATO website or speak with one of our consultants.
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Eligible expenses include:
- Rent or mortgage interest payments
- Household fuels (such as gas, electricity, wood, or oil)
- Personal travel to and from your remote location
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It’s simple—just contact one of our CBB Consultants, who will guide you through the process and help you understand how much you can package.
* This benefit is subject to your organisation’s salary packaging policy. More information is available on the ATO website.
