Accommodation at ATNF Sites 
(Parkes, Narrabri, Coonabarabran and Marsfield)

ATNF staff, official visitors with temporary appointments with ATNF:

There is no charge for accommodation at the observatories (Mopra Observatory, Parkes Observatory, and Paul Wild Observatory, Narrabri) during official visits. This includes accommodation reserved for the use of families associated with official visits; this also applies to Mopra accommodation. The use of this accommodation, when appropriate, is encouraged.

If using the 'family' accommodation, persons on official visits to Parkes or Narrabri may still eat free of charge at the observers' quarters. Their families may also eat at the quarters, but pay normal prices for the meals. Because the accommodation is free, persons on official visits will not be paid meal allowances for meals not taken at the quarters.

Accompanying persons staying at the Parkes Observers' Quarters and Narrabri Observers' Lodge will be charged 50% of the full rates, regardless of whether or not a room is being shared. Persons accompanying Duty Astronomers will be charged for meals, but not for accommodation.

For official visits to ATNF Headquarters, there is no charge for accommodation at the on-site accommodation at the Radiophysics Laboratory. Accompanying persons will be charged 50% of the full rates.

For staff and visitors included on the ATNF payroll, meal and incidental allowances will be paid during periods spent travelling on official visits. In addition, incidental allowances will be paid for the duration of these visits.

Post-graduate students with ATNF staff as primary supervisors:

No charges are made for observatory accommodation for visits related to their research projects, or providing service. This includes accommodation reserved for the use of families.

Accompanying persons staying at the Parkes Observers' Quarters and Narrabri Observers' Lodge will be charged 50% of the full rates regardless as to whether a room is being shared. Charges may be modified for persons accompanying Duty Astronomers.

If using the family accommodation, students on official visits may still eat free of charge at the observers' quarters. Their families may also eat at the quarters, but pay normal prices.

Subject to availability, for visits, related to research projects, to ATNF Headquarters in Sydney, students can obtain short-term free accommodation in the visitors quarters at the Radiophysics Laboratory. Long-term free accommodation at the quarters for students from overseas is by special arrangement with the ATNF Director. Accompanying persons may be accommodated, at 50% of the full rates, if they share the same room. ATNF has no obligation to provide free accommodation elsewhere if none is available at the Radiophysics Laboratory.

Post-graduate students from outside institutions (both Australian and overseas) and with no ATNF primary supervisors:

Normally, the students will be charged 50% of the full rates for site accommodation. In cases of hardship, their supervisors can request that accommodation charges be reduced or waived. Students sharing rooms will be charged 37.5% of the full rates. Accompanying persons sharing rooms at the Parkes and Narrabri observatories will be charged the cost of meals. For the Sydney on-site accommodation they will be charged at 75% of the full rates.

Students taking on the role of Duty Astronomer or equivalent position at the observatories will not be charged for accommodation while acting in the role. Other conditions are as for students with ATNF affiliation (see previous section).

Vacation scholars at ATNF:

ATNF vacation scholars normally based at ATNF Headquarters accompanying ATNF supervisors to observatories, or visiting observatories as authorized members of observing groups, will not be charged for accommodation at the observatories.

ATNF vacation scholars taking on the role of Duty Astronomer or equivalent position at the observatories will not be charged for accommodation while acting in the role. Other conditions are as for students with ATNF affiliation.

ATNF vacation scholars normally accommodated at any of the sites will be charged 50% of the full rates.

Work experience students:

Students engaged in work experience at the observatories will be given free accommodation.

Casual official visitors, visiting scientists collaborating with ATNF members, and visiting observers other than those in previous categories:

Normal rates for site accommodation will apply, as detailed in the Visitors Guides to ATNF Headquarters and the ATNF observatories. Any variation should be approved by the ATNF Director.

Accompanying persons staying at the Parkes Observers' Quarters and Narrabri Observers' Lodge will be charged the full rates. For accommodation at ATNF Headquarters, persons sharing a room will each be charged 75% of the full rates. Accompanying persons accommodated in single rooms will be charged full rates.

If using the 'family' accommodation at the observatories, visitors can eat at the observers' quarters, but pay normal prices.

Travel to Sites

Travel Support

Important note concerning non-CSIRO travellers

Non-CSIRO travellers should ensure that they have appropriate insurance cover, because there is no guarantee that they would be covered by CSIRO in the event of accident (depending on the circumstances) or illness:

ATNF staff, official visitors with temporary appointments with ATNF:

ATNF will support travel by public transport (road, second-class rail, or economy class air) or by CSIRO Fleet vehicle. Persons eligible to drive in Australia may be authorized to drive CSIRO vehicles.

Post-graduate students with ATNF staff as primary supervisors, and ATNF vacation scholars:

ATNF will support travel by bus, second-class rail, or CSIRO vehicle in the company of CSIRO staff or official visitors with temporary appointments with ATNF. Persons eligible to drive in Australia may be authorized to drive CSIRO vehicles for travel to and from ATNF observatories.

ATNF will support economy air travel to the observatories for students taking on the role of Duty Astronomer for a period of at least one week. For shorter DA periods, rail travel may be provided. Use of CSIRO vehicles is at the discretion of ATNF Management.

Tertiary students not associated with ATNF:

The students can travel to the observatories with ATNF staff, or with official visitors with temporary appointments with ATNF, in CSIRO vehicles.

ATNF will support first class train travel, and in some cases air travel, to the observatories for students taking on the role of Duty Astronomer or equivalent position.

Casual official visitors (including visiting scientists collaborating with ATNF members), visiting observers other than tertiary students, work experience students:

These people will normally be expected to provide their own transport to the observatories. Alternatively, they can travel to the observatories with ATNF staff using CSIRO vehicles. For insurance reasons, accompanying persons are not encouraged to drive 'Z'- plated CSIRO vehicles.

Travel Notification

Pro-forma Travel requests are required of CSIRO staff and official visitors with temporary appointments with CSIRO when travelling between ATNF sites.

Non-CSIRO persons (including vacation students and post-graduate students) are not required to complete travel requests when travelling with CSIRO staff to observatories in official vehicles. However, their names should be included in the travel requests completed by the CSIRO persons with whom they are travelling. Travel requests are required if travel by other means of transport is financially supported by CSIRO.

A Web ATNF Reservation Form must be filled in if accommodation or meals are required at any ATNF site. The accommodfation form is located at:

This page is maintained by Tracy Denmeade

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