Special Messing Allowance

What’s it for?

SMA is for Service personnel who live in Single Living Accommodation (or equivalent) and have to regularly buy food and drinks from commercial shops and restaurants because they don’t have access to Service messing or self-catering facilities.

It is not available to Service personnel who already receive other food-related allowances, or those who meet any of the other criteria as listed in JSP 752.

What do I get?

SMA is a daily rate which is paid monthly in arrears via your salary. The rates for the most commonly used overseas locations are published annually with the overseas subsistence allowance rates. These were last updated on 1 July 2024 and can be found here or you can speak to your Unit HR/Personnel Office. 

When can’t I use this?

You won’t be able to claim this benefit if you live in a mess with catering facilities or if you claim any of the following allowances:

• Lodging Allowance

• Food and Incedentals Allowance

• Reclaim the Daily Food Charge

• Subsistence Allowance

• Meals Out Expenses

• Living Out Supplemented Rates of Local Overseas Allowance

How do I claim this?

This will be processed automatically by your Unit HR/Personnel Office.