EEA4 Application: What to do if need to travel overseas?

Can anyone advise what to do once you have submitted your application but you need to travel overseas? We need to go to Australia for 5 weeks to see family and our application (on my husbands behalf, I am an EEA National) was only lodged about a month ago. The form says that you can request your passports back to travel but I don't know what to do about re-entering the country?

We asked someone at the Home Office about it and they said they didn't know - that my husband wouldn't be guaranteed re-entry to the country and perhaps he should apply for a work permit to ensure he will be able to get back into the country. That doesn't sound right given whilst your application is being processed your right to remain continues - so surely there should be a way of proving this? Any advice, experiences or help on this matter would be appreciated.

Thanks

SM