Public servants get free cash for health

Education department staff get hundreds of taxpayer dollars a year in a health allowance but the government has no way of making sure they don't spend it on cigarettes or other unhealthy items.

The annual allowance of $500 a year for junior staff and $200 for senior staff is paid as part of their salaries each September, department officials told a Senate committee on Thursday.

But it's left up to the more than 2000 employees to decide how they use that money.

"How do we know they're not using it to purchase bulk cigarettes?" Labor senator Jacinta Collins asked department officials.

"We certainly encourage - we don't monitor, we don't ask every staff member across the department to," associate secretary Tony Cook started to reply before the incredulous senators cut him off.

"So you don't ask for receipts for quitting smoking or sneakers?" Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie asked.

Mr Cook said staff had indicated during enterprise bargaining they did use the money for things like gym memberships.

The department also offers lunchtime yoga classes, walking groups and a healthy living week when staff can get free dental checks and flu shots.