What Is the DVA? A Veterans’ Guide to Understanding DVA Services
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.
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What Does DVA Stand For?
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.
What Is the Department of Veterans' Affairs?
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:
Financial support through compensation and income assistance
Healthcare and wellbeing services
Commemoration activities that acknowledge service and sacrifice.
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.
What Services Does the DVA Provide?
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.
Compensation for Service-Related Injuries
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.
This compensation is referred to as a permanent impairment (PI) payment.
Veterans must meet a minimum threshold of 10 impairment points to qualify for compensation under MRCA legislation.
The compensation process requires submitting a claim, providing medical evidence, and undergoing an assessment.
As of August 2025, DVA has 85,538 claims on hand, with 79 per cent of claims with an officer for processing and 21 per cent yet to be allocated. This backlog means claim processing can take considerable time, particularly for complex cases.
Healthcare Through Veteran Cards
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 Gold Card: Provides comprehensive healthcare coverage for all medical conditions, not limited to service-related issues. Veterans need 60 MRCA impairment points to qualify for a Gold Card.
DVA White Card: Covers treatment for accepted service-related conditions only. For Veteran White Card holders, DVA will fund those services required for their accepted conditions. Veterans can also access mental health treatment under non-liability health care provisions.
DVA Orange Card: Holders of a Veteran Orange Card (DVA Health Card – Pharmaceutical Only) are entitled to subsidised pharmaceuticals only.
Mental Health Support
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.
Pensions and Income Support
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:
The claim is undetermined
The claimant is unable to work more than 8 hours per week
The claim was made while the person was under the Age Pension age.
This payment is taxable and is intended to help them until a decision is made (and typically ceases 42 days after determination).
Rehabilitation Services
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:
Medical management: Supporting health literacy, accessing health providers, coordinating care (though not providing direct medical treatment)
Psychosocial rehabilitation: Supporting life skills, social engagement, managing barriers to wellbeing
Vocational rehabilitation: Helping with employment, training, work trials, and sustaining meaningful work
Travel Assistance for Medical Treatment
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.
Who Is Eligible for DVA Support?
DVA supports serving and former members of the Australian Defence Force, as well as their families. Eligibility for specific DVA services varies depending on:
The type and timing of service
Whether an injury, illness or condition is service-related.
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 Claim Processing Times and Current Challenges
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.
Processing Times & Prioritisation
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.
Documentation & completeness
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
Major Changes Coming to DVA in 2025-2026
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.
Impact on DVA Operations
These changes will fundamentally alter how DVA operates. From 1 July 2026, the following reforms will take effect:
The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (DRCA) will close to new compensation claims.
All claims received on or after 1 July 2026 will be determined under an improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (MRCA).
Continuation of Existing Benefits
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.
When to Seek Professional Help With DVA Claims
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:
Is familiar with the permanent impairment assessment process
Understands what evidence strengthens claims
Helps you claim everything you're entitled to
Works exclusively for veterans, not for DVA
Aims to secure the maximum compensation and benefits you deserve
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.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Entitlements
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.
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