Skip to main content
Feeling overwhelmed after service and unsure what help you can access? This guide answers “What is the DVA?” by explaining the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and how it supports you with compensation, healthcare, and practical services. We’ll cut through confusion, explain what DVA does and doesn’t do, and give you clear steps to start a claim. Keep reading to understand your options and take the next confident step.
Get expert help with the entire claims process and secure the entitlements you deserve. With zero upfront fees, you only pay for successful claims.
DVA stands for the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Established in 1976, the Department of Veterans' Affairs is a department of the Australian Government responsible for delivering government programs to veterans, as well as members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Australian Federal Police, and their dependents.
The department operates as part of the Defence portfolio, though it functions independently to serve the veteran community. For over 100 years, the Australian Government has been committed to repatriating, supporting, and commemorating the service of veterans to the nation.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs is the Australian Government agency responsible for delivering benefits, compensation, and healthcare services to veterans and their families. DVA's purpose is to support the wellbeing of those who serve or have served in the defence of Australia, and their families, by partnering with organisations and individuals to help design, implement, and deliver effective policies, programs, and benefits that enhance the wellbeing of veterans and veteran families.
DVA operates under several pieces of legislation to deliver three primary outcomes:
The current Secretary of DVA is Alison Frame, who has held the position since January 2023. She also serves as President of the Repatriation Commission and Chair of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.
DVA provides a wide range of services designed to support veterans throughout their lives. These services span compensation, healthcare, mental health support, rehabilitation, and financial assistance. Knowing what's available can help you access the support you're entitled to.
One of DVA's primary responsibilities is to provide compensation to veterans who have suffered injuries or illnesses as a result of their service. Current and former ADF members who have an injury or disease as a result of their ADF service, and that injury or disease has left them with some permanent impairment, may be entitled to receive compensation for that impairment from DVA.
DVA provides healthcare coverage through several types of veteran cards. Veteran Cards can be used to access medical and mental health treatment, as well as prescription medicines in Australia.
The three main card types are:
DVA provides free mental health care to veterans and offers counselling and support services for their families. This includes access to Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, which offers confidential, nationwide counselling services.
Open Arms is a nationally accredited, military-aware mental health service that provides free counselling for individuals, couples, and families, as well as group programs to develop skills and enhance support. It also offers after-hours telephone counselling, ensuring support is accessible 24/7, and provides information, education, and self-help resources.
Veterans can access mental health support without needing to prove their condition is service-related in many cases, particularly for those with continuous full-time service.
DVA administers multiple types of pensions and income support payments for eligible veterans. Under the VEA, a Service Pension is provided to Australian veterans, mariners, Commonwealth and allied veterans with qualifying service, subject to income and assets tests.
Veteran Payment is an interim income support for current or former ADF members who lodge a claim for a mental health condition under DRCA or MRCA, provided:
This payment is taxable and is intended to help them until a decision is made (and typically ceases 42 days after determination).
DVA offers rehabilitation support to eligible former ADF members, cadets, and declared members who have sustained an accepted service-related injury or disease under the MRCA or DRCA. The aim is to assist them in adapting, managing, and improving functioning across physical, psychological, social, and vocational domains, working towards optimising wellbeing and, where feasible, regaining as much of their previous capacity and status as possible.
DVA’s rehabilitation services are delivered through a structured plan following a needs assessment, with components including:
Veterans may be entitled to travel support when attending medical appointments. Entitlements include reimbursement of travel expenses (private vehicle, public transport, taxi, etc.), as well as possible accommodation or meal costs.
The higher travel reimbursement amount, regardless of the number of kilometres, will be available to all veterans when a private vehicle is used for treatment.
DVA supports serving and former members of the Australian Defence Force, as well as their families. Eligibility for specific DVA services varies depending on:
Veterans with wartime or operational, peacekeeping, or peacetime service are assessed under different eligibility pathways. Reservists also have access to DVA entitlements, with eligibility for particular payments depending on their service details and, for some benefits, qualifying service.
DVA currently manages a high volume of claims. It receives, and sometimes exceeds, 5,000 claims every two weeks. Over time, claims have become more complex: by August 2025, the average number of conditions per claim was 4.40, compared to 2.6 in May 2022. Each claimed condition must generally be considered separately, which increases the assessment workload and contributes to longer processing durations.
The time required to process a claim varies significantly, depending on the type of claim and its complexity, which includes factors such as the number of conditions and the quality of supporting evidence. DVA aims to allocate new claims to a case officer within two weeks of receipt. However, finalising a claim can take many months, particularly for those that are more complex.
The quality and completeness of submitted documentation are key factors affecting claim processing speed. Claims missing medical information or other required documents often face delays. DVA strongly encourages claimants to lodge as complete a claim as possible from the outset to help reduce delays
The veteran support system is undergoing significant reforms. On 13 February 2025, the Parliament passed the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2024 (the VETS Act) in response to the Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which recommended the Government simplify and harmonise the framework for veteran rehabilitation, compensation and other entitlements.
These changes will fundamentally alter how DVA operates. From 1 July 2026, the following reforms will take effect:
Veterans already receiving payments under VEA or DRCA will continue to receive those benefits uninterrupted through grandfathering provisions.
The automatic granting of VEA funeral benefits will be retained, with the benefit increasing to $3,000. Funeral expenses of up to $14,062 for all service-related deaths will also be reimbursed.
While you can lodge DVA claims independently, the complexity of the system means professional guidance often makes a significant difference. At Veterans First Consulting, we specialise in helping veterans through the DVA claims process, primarily under the MRCA legislation. Our team:
Many veterans underestimate the severity of their conditions or don't realise they can claim for multiple issues. We help identify all eligible conditions and build strong cases that withstand DVA scrutiny.
Suppose you're struggling with a claim that's been rejected, experiencing delays, or simply want to make sure your claim is as strong as possible. In that case, professional support can make the difference between a denied claim and the compensation you've earned.
Knowing how the DVA works is the first step toward accessing the support you’ve earned. With significant legislative changes ahead and ongoing claim backlogs, expert guidance can help you through the process with confidence. Veterans First Consulting is here to make your DVA journey smoother and more successful. Contact Veterans First Consulting today to discuss your claim and take control of your entitlements.
Written by
Join more than 9,000 veterans in getting the support they deserve. Leave us a note and our experts will be in touch shortly to discuss your new claim or claim reassessment.
Zero upfront fees – only pay for successful claims
9,000+ veterans served – we know what we're doing
Australia's largest DVA advocacy group
Explore Related Articles
