Sammysoso

I have just been offered a 457 in Australia with LAFHA. I currently live here in London with my defacto (Australian) partner so we will both be moving back to Australia. She is originally from Sydney where all of her furniture etc is, in storage and I have been offered the position in Melbourne. My questions are:

1) Does LAFHA cover the transport of (effectively our) belongings to Melbourne?
2) Given she is an Australian citizen, will she be entitled to the food allowance?
3) If the lease on our house is in both of our names, will I only be able to claim LAFHA for one half?

Any other relevant information would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

S

paddyo

OK, my answers, based on supposition......
1. No, LAFHA only covers what it says...rent and food. Travel expenses can be recovered via othe rmeans, I suggest you ask your prospective employer about relocation assistance.
2. If her PERMANENT residence is an address in UK then yes, anyone is entitled to LAFHA in Australia if they are working away from the PERMAMENT residence. However, as she is an Australian citizen you should be prepared to provide proof (UK mortgage in both names, rental agreement from leasing your UK home out, etc).
3. Only one of you can claim LAFHA, based on the both of you living and eating, so make it the higher earner to ensure the most tax savings. The food element will take into account both of you living in the temporary residence, i.e. it will be for 2 adults.

Make sure you fully understand what LAFHA is before you accept the job, it is a tax incentive for those moving to a new area and is only a temporary incentive whilst you live away from your PERMANENT address. If you intend to stay and demonstrate that, by applying for permanent residency (in your case) then it will go.
As your De Facto other half (OH) is an Australian citizen, then proof of a permanent address in the UK will be a required.