The parliamentary accommodation sitting allowance supports regional Members who choose to maintain a residence in metropolitan Melbourne (their parliamentary accommodation) to help them carry out their public duties while in Melbourne.
18. Claiming the parliamentary accommodation sitting allowance
18.1 The parliamentary accommodation sitting allowance may be claimed by a Member if:
18.1.a a parliamentary accommodation is maintained by the Member; and
18.1.b the Member has notified the location of their parliamentary accommodation to the relevant Clerk within 30 days of establishing, changing or ceasing to have the parliamentary accommodation, and provided the Clerk with at least one of the following:
18.1.b.i a certificate of title showing the Member as a registered owner of the parliamentary accommodation; or
18.1.b.ii a mortgage agreement showing the Member as mortgagor in relation to a mortgage over the parliamentary accommodation; or
18.1.b.iii a tenancy agreement showing the Member as a tenant of the parliamentary accommodation; and
18.1.c the Member’s home base is:
18.1.c.i outside a radius of 80 kilometres from the Melbourne centre; or
18.1.c.ii outside the metropolitan area and the Member satisfies the relevant Clerk that the shortest practicable route by road between the Member’s home base and the Melbourne centre exceeds 80 kilometres; and
18.1.d the Member’s home base:
18.1.d.i is within the Member’s electorate; or
18.1.d.ii is within 10 kilometres of the boundary of the Member’s electorate; or
18.1.d.iii was in the Member’s electorate or within 10 kilometres of the boundary of the Member’s electorate immediately prior to a change in the electoral boundary set by the Electoral Boundaries Commission, and there has been no change in the location of the Member’s home base following the change in electoral boundary.
18.2 Notwithstanding guideline 18(1)(d), a Member claiming the parliamentary accommodation sitting allowance as of 13 October 2025 remains eligible to claim this allowance until they cease to be a member of their House of the Parliament provided:
18.2.a the Member continues to meet the requirements of guidelines 18(1)(a)-(c); and
18.2.b there has been no change in the Member’s home base since 13 October 2025.
Updated