DFES assists regional volunteers to attend the WAFES Conference by organising and covering the cost associated with travel and accommodation.
To be eligible, volunteers must be travelling to the conference from outside a radius of 50 kilometres, measured from their brigade, group or unit (BGU) headquarters.
Volunteers with BGU headquarters within a 50 kilometres radius are not eligible for travel and accommodation assistance.
Volunteers who are eligible for flights will be prompted to provide details during the conference registration process. They must select their preferred flights to accommodate the events they register to attend as part of the conference.
For eligible volunteers, accommodation for Thursday 7 September, Friday 8 September and Saturday 9 September is fully subsidised by DFES and allocated based on their registered events. Booking will be automatically prompted during the registration process.
Refer to the 2023 WAFES Conference terms and conditions for further details.
As a first preference, volunteers are encouraged to drive to the conference in a DFES service vehicle and carpool with other volunteers where possible.
Those unable to source suitable transport can use a private vehicle to travel to the conference and claim a motor vehicle allowance.
Volunteers who have flights booked may claim a motor vehicle allowance to drive to/from their place of residence and the nearest regional airport.
If a transfer service is not provided, volunteers may be entitled to claim reimbursement of taxi fares incurred when travelling to/from Perth Airport to their accommodation.
Please note there have been changes to motor vehicle allowance caps including the addition of new regions. See the 2023 WAFES Conference terms and conditions for further details.
Crown Perth offers free parking at various locations in the complex and further details on parking options and charges can be found on the Crown website.
Eligible volunteers can claim meal expenses (breakfast, lunch and/or dinner) incurred during the conference weekend, which are not supplied as part of the conference or their accommodation booking. Volunteers can submit a claim form to DFES, with receipts, to receive a reimbursement.
Please note alcoholic beverages are not eligible to be claimed and this year all receipts must clearly outline the beverage being claimed. See the 2023 WAFES Conference terms and conditions for further details.
Volunteers eligible for travel and accommodation entitlements can claim reimbursements through the following process.
Email: eventsandawards@dfes.wa.gov.au
Post:
Attention: Events and Promotions Officer
Media and Corporate Communications
Department of Fire and Emergency Services
20 Stockton Bend
COCKBURN CENTRAL WA 6164
When completing a claim: