RESOURCES

You may be eligible if you have an accepted service-related injury or illness under MRCA or DRCA that affects your ability to manage domestic tasks you were previously responsible for. DVA will assess whether there's a reasonable requirement for household services based on your specific circumstances. Learn more in our DVA Household Services guide.

To be eligible, you generally need to be a current or former ADF member with medical certification showing you are totally or partially incapacitated for service or work because of a service-related injury or disease accepted under MRCA. If you receive incapacity payments, DVA may also require you to participate in rehabilitation to keep receiving them. Learn more in our How to Make a DVA Claim guide.

Certain dependants, such as the child of a deceased veteran or the remaining parent of a service member, may be eligible for support through DVA entitlements. While the Gold Card is issued to the veteran, dependents may receive additional support through other DVA programs. Read more about DVA Benefits for Families.

Yes, through the Booked Car with Driver (BCWD) service. This provides pre-arranged taxi or hire car transport with no upfront costs. Eligibility depends on your age, TPI status or specific medical conditions. Our DVA Travel for Treatment guide covers the access criteria in detail.

Yes. Through Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC), veterans with at least one day of continuous full-time service can access mental health treatment without proving their condition is service-related. This includes treatment for PTSD, anxiety, depression and substance use disorders. You'll use your White Card to access these services. Learn more in our guide to DVA Non-Liability Health Care.

Yes, you can appeal most DVA decisions. If your initial liability or permanent impairment claim was rejected, you have the right to request a reconsideration or take your case to the Veterans' Review Board. Time limits apply, so it's important to act promptly after receiving an unfavourable decision. Refer to our DVA Appeals guide.

Yes. Once approved, you can generally choose your own household services provider. DVA can pay your provider directly, or you can pay upfront and claim reimbursement. The current standard maximum rate for 2026 is $79.90 per hour, inclusive of GST.

Yes. This payment is designed to sit alongside other DVA benefits such as incapacity payments, treatment cards and existing permanent impairment compensation, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. The key is to make sure your entitlements work together rather than against each other, so nothing is missed or unintentionally affected. If you’d like to see how this fits into the broader range of entitlements, find out more in our What Can I Claim From the DVA?

Absolutely. If you have several accepted conditions that have progressed, we can lodge reassessment claims for each. Your combined impairment points are calculated using DVA's combining formula, so increasing points across multiple conditions can change your overall permanent impairment rating and associated DVA entitlements. Learn more about what you can claim from DVA.

Incapacity payments and permanent impairment compensation serve different purposes under MRCA and can sometimes run concurrently, depending on your circumstances. These benefits serve different purposes under MRCA, and how they interact depends on your individual circumstances. Learn more in our DVA Permanent Impairment guide.

Yes. If you travel to receive treatment covered by your DVA Card, you may be eligible for reimbursement of transport costs, accommodation and meals under certain conditions. Travel reimbursements are assessed based on the Place Where Appropriate Treatment is Available (PWATA). Learn more in our DVA Travel for Treatment guide.

Yes, you can lodge an initial liability claim while still serving. In fact, claiming early often means better access to medical records and clearer evidence of service connection. Many serving members start their claims before transitioning to civilian life. Discover more in our guide on how to make a DVA claim.

Yes. If your accepted condition has worsened since DVA last assessed it, you can apply for reassessment. You'll need updated medical evidence showing the progression. This applies to both physical and mental health conditions under MRCA.

Yes. You do not need to have left the ADF to lodge an eligible MRCA claim. The MRCA covers current and former ADF members with service after 30 June 2004. Submitting a complete claim with supporting information may help reduce avoidable delays. See more about the claims process in our How to Make a DVA Claim guide.

Yes, in some cases, telehealth can be used for certain medical assessments. However, the eligibility and availability of telehealth will depend on the specific nature of the veteran’s claim and the requirements set by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In some cases, back-paid compensation may be available if your impairment later reaches 80 points or more and you had eligible young dependants at the relevant date used by DVA. This usually involves reviewing when your points increased, when claims were lodged and whether your dependants met the criteria at that time. To understand how changes in your impairment rating can affect what you’re owed, learn more in our DVA Permanent Impairment Rates overview.

Yes. If DVA has refused a claim that might lead to a Gold or White Card, we can review the decision, explain why it may have happened, and advise on the next steps. This might include providing additional medical evidence, clarifying your service history, or supporting a review or appeal, where appropriate. Professional help can lift the quality of the material in front of DVA and reduce mistakes, but no one can promise a specific appeal outcome.

Yes. Gold Card holders can claim travel expenses for any medical appointment. White Card holders can claim travel for appointments related to accepted conditions. This includes reimbursement for fuel, accommodation and meals when travelling for treatment. From July 2026, all veterans will receive a uniform reimbursement rate of 68 cents per kilometre. Learn more in our guide to DVA travel for treatment.

No. Household services assistance is available to veterans with accepted conditions under MRCA or DRCA, regardless of whether you hold a Gold Card or White Card. Eligibility is based on having an accepted injury or illness that affects your ability to manage domestic tasks, not on your card type. Find out more in our What Can I Claim From the DVA? guide.

Yes. To be eligible for MEPI reimbursement, you must hold either a DVA Gold Card or a DVA White Card. Gold Card holders have broader coverage for any medical condition, while White Card holders can only claim for treatment directly related to their accepted conditions. Find out more in our What Can I Claim From the DVA? guide.

No, but your card type affects what you can claim for. Gold Card holders can claim travel for any medical appointment. White Card holders can only claim travel for treatment of accepted service-related conditions. Understanding your card entitlements is covered in our Veterans Card guide.

While not mandatory, seeking professional help, such as from Veterans First Consulting, can simplify the process. We guide veterans through eligibility determination, documentation collection, and understanding compensation calculations, reducing errors and delays.

In many cases, yes. If you receive incapacity payments under MRCA, DVA may require you to participate in a rehabilitation program to help improve your capacity for suitable work. This can include vocational rehabilitation, medical treatment or other approved activities. Your ongoing entitlement can depend on participating where required. We help you understand what applies to your situation so you can avoid unnecessary issues with your claim or rehabilitation obligations. Learn more in our DVA Claims Timeframe guide.

Not automatically. Under MRCA, you may be eligible for additional compensation for an eligible young person if you have been assessed at 80 or more impairment points and the dependant meets DVA’s eligibility rules. This is extra compensation paid because you have an eligible young person dependent on you, rather than a general payment available to all veterans with children. Eligibility and payment amounts depend on your impairment rating and compensation status. Read more in our Eligible Young Persons Payments guide.

No. Travel claims are lodged directly through MyService or the D0800 form and do not require advocacy support. What we do is help you access the underlying DVA entitlements, such as Permanent Impairment compensation and Gold Card access, that determine what travel support you are eligible for in the first place. Learn more about Permanent Impairment entitlements and how they’re assessed in our guide.

Veterans First Consulting is an independent, paid service that focuses on DVA claims. We do not charge upfront fees for Gold and White Card-related work. Our fees are linked to successful outcomes and are explained clearly before you decide to go ahead with us. We do not position our service as free, and we do not act as DVA or a government agency.

For MRCA permanent impairment compensation, DVA uses your impairment points, lifestyle rating and service type to work out the rate. Service type may be peacetime, warlike or non-warlike. Other payments, such as incapacity payments and SRDP, are worked out under different rules. Find out how these calculations work in our DVA Payout Figures guide.

Household services support under MRCA is for veterans with accepted service-related conditions. Veterans' Home Care (VHC) is a separate program available to Gold and White Card holders based on functional limitations. If you have accepted injuries or illnesses under MRCA or DRCA, you should be assessed for household services support first, as it offers a wider range of services with no co-payments required. Visit our DVA Services guide for more information.

An Eligible Young Person Payment is an additional lump sum that may be paid on top of your DVA permanent impairment compensation once you reach the severe impairment threshold and have eligible young dependants. It increases your overall compensation rather than replacing what you already receive, helping you better support your family. To see how this extra amount can fit into your broader DVA package, learn more in our DVA 80 Points Child Payment guide.

Incapacity payments are generally based on the difference between your normal earnings and your actual earnings. The level and duration of any payment depend on your circumstances, work capacity, and DVA’s assessment under MRCA. Read more about how incapacity payments are assessed in our DVA incapacity payments guide.

A Veteran White Card covers specific conditions accepted by DVA, while the Gold Card provides comprehensive healthcare for all medical needs. If you have a service-related condition that has been approved by DVA, you may be able to receive a White Card. Learn more about the differences in our Veterans Card.

You can't apply directly for a Gold Card. Cards are issued automatically when you reach 60 or more MRCA impairment points through successful Permanent Impairment claims. This is where our claims expertise will help guide you through the process. Read more in our Gold Card eligibility and benefits guide.

There is no separate, stand-alone “Gold Card application” form. DVA issues Gold and White Cards when you meet the relevant eligibility criteria, usually after it accepts one or more service-related compensation or liability claims. For many veterans under MRCA, this involves reaching certain impairment point levels or having specific conditions accepted. Our role is to help you lodge a complete, well-supported claim, gather the right medical evidence, and link your conditions to service. If DVA accepts your claim and you meet the criteria, it may then issue a Gold or White Card.

If your accepted conditions prevent you from doing routine domestic tasks, you may be eligible for household services covering cleaning, laundry, gardening and lawn mowing. For personal care needs like showering and dressing, attendant care compensation may be available. Both require an assessment by DVA to confirm your needs. Learn more in our guide to DVA care and home support for veterans.

The first step is establishing that your condition is accepted under MRCA through an initial liability claim, if you haven't done this already. From there, your treating doctor completes a DVA medical certificate confirming your incapacity, and we handle the rest. Learn more in our DVA Initial Liability guide.

Contact us for a free initial consultation. We'll review your DVA decision notice and discuss your options. If we believe an appeal has merit, we'll explain the next steps and what's involved in building a stronger case for your entitlements. Contact us to get started.

Timeframes vary depending on DVA workloads and whether an occupational therapy assessment is required. Once approved, household services are usually authorised for five years under DVA policy, with your determination letter setting out the expiry date and renewal process.

Reassessment timeframes vary based on the complexity of your condition and DVA's current workload. Generally, expect several months from lodgement to determination. Having complete, well-documented evidence from the start helps avoid delays. Find out more about DVA claims timeframes.

Processing times vary depending on the complexity of your claim and whether all documentation is complete. Incomplete applications or missing receipts can cause delays, so having all your itemised receipts, referrals and clinical information ready when you lodge helps support a smoother assessment process. Check out our DVA Claims Timeframe guide.

There's no set timeframe, as DVA processing depends on their workload and the complexity of your case. For a Gold Card, DVA must accept your service-related conditions, review your medical evidence, calculate your impairment points, and confirm you meet the criteria, such as reaching 60 or more impairment points under MRCA. For a Veteran White Card, DVA reviews your application or existing records, checks your service and medical history, and decides if you meet the rules for treatment of accepted conditions and non-liability healthcare. We can’t control DVA's timelines, but we help reduce delays by lodging clear, well-supported claims and keeping you updated.

The DVA claims process takes time. The full permanent impairment claims process, from lodgement to final determination, typically takes 12 to 24 months. One of the most common delays is the initial assignment of a DVA delegate, which can take up to 6 months. Experienced support can help you keep your documentation organised and respond promptly to DVA requests. Find out more in our DVA Claims Timeframe guide.

DVA processing times vary, but initial liability claims typically take several months. Complex cases or claims requiring additional medical evidence may take longer. The entire claims journey, from initial liability through to permanent impairment, generally spans 18 to 24 months. Learn more about DVA claims timeframes.

You generally have 12 months from the date of DVA's decision to appeal to the Veterans' Review Board. Missing this deadline can limit your options, so we recommend seeking advice as soon as you receive a rejection. The ART has different timeframes depending on the type of review. Always check your decision letter.

We don't charge any upfront fees for our initial consultation, and we clearly explain our fee structure before you decide to proceed. Our focus is on providing specialist DVA claims support, and all costs are discussed and agreed with you in advance.

For appeals, there are no upfront costs. Our fees are linked to the outcome of your case, and we’ll explain exactly how this works before you decide to proceed, so you understand your options.

We provide MEPI support with no upfront costs and a transparent fee structure. We will explain how our fees work in your initial consultation so you can decide whether our support is right for you. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your situation and find out if we can help.

This depends on your individual circumstances, financial goals, and impairment level. Lump sums provide immediate capital for major expenses like home modifications or paying down debt. Regular payments provide ongoing income security. We can help you evaluate which option best suits your situation, considering your age, financial obligations, and long-term needs.

The required evidence depends on the reason your claim was rejected. Common additions include updated medical assessments, specialist opinions linking your condition to service or service records that weren't previously submitted. We review your case to identify exactly what's needed to address DVA's concerns. Details are in our guide on DVA Initial Liability claims.

Incapacity payments are DVA compensation paid to veterans who are unable to work or who can only work reduced hours, due to a service-related condition accepted under MRCA. Eligibility and payment arrangements depend on your individual circumstances and DVA’s assessment under MRCA. Learn more in our DVA Incapacity Payments guide.

Success depends on the strength of your evidence and how well your case addresses DVA's reasons for rejection. Professional guidance can help ensure your appeal is properly prepared and supported by relevant evidence. However, no advocate can guarantee results, as each case is assessed on its merits.

You can claim for any physical injury, illness or mental health condition linked to your defence service. Common claims include musculoskeletal injuries, hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, anxiety and depression. Some conditions qualify for streamlined processing under DVA's accepted conditions list. Learn more about the top 20 accepted conditions.

You'll need your service records, medical documentation linking your condition to service and any specialist reports. Don't worry if you don't have everything as we can help you gather the evidence DVA requires and identify gaps before lodgement. Read more about DVA claim forms and requirements.

A DVA medical certificate from your treating doctor is typically required to confirm your incapacity and expected duration. You'll also need evidence of your normal and current weekly earnings, your accepted condition, and any rehabilitation plan details. Missing or incomplete documentation is one of the most common causes of delays. Learn more in our DVA Medical Certificate guide.

A DVA permanent impairment (PI) claim includes compensation for injuries or diseases directly related to a veteran's ADF service. Veterans need to submit medical evidence to support their claim and ensure all relevant documents are included for accurate assessment.

You'll need current medical evidence that demonstrates how your condition has progressed since your last assessment. This typically includes recent specialist reports, relevant imaging results and documentation of how symptoms affect your daily activities. Find out more about DVA permanent impairment assessments.

You need to complete the D1181 Application for Reimbursement of Medical Expenses Privately Incurred. This form requires details of each expense, itemised receipts showing dates and costs and clinical information. White Card holders must also provide documentation proving the treatment relates to accepted conditions. Discover more in our DVA Claim Form guide.

Once DVA accepts liability for your specific condition, you will receive a White Card for treatment. You can then proceed to a permanent impairment claim, where DVA assesses how your condition affects your daily life and ability to work to determine any additional entitlements. Read more details about DVA permanent impairment claims.

Veterans may still receive payments while working part-time, but the amount reduces based on new earnings. Payments adjust per week to ensure total income does not exceed pre-injury levels. Veterans must report all work income to avoid overpayments.

A rejection or lower-than-expected outcome is not the end of the road. You can request a review of the decision or lodge a formal appeal. Clear evidence and a well-prepared submission are important parts of the review process. We help veterans prepare claims carefully before lodgement and support them through review pathways and appeals where needed. Find out more in our DVA Appeals guide.

If the Veterans' Review Board doesn't rule in your favour, you may be able to appeal further to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). We can assess whether an ART appeal is appropriate for your situation and identify any additional evidence that could strengthen your case at that level.

If your service-related condition worsens over time, you can request that DVA reassess your permanent impairment rating. DVA will review your current medical evidence and impairment and lifestyle ratings to determine whether your level of treatment access and related entitlements should change under MRCA assessment criteria. Depending on the evidence, your entitlements may increase, remain the same or not change if higher thresholds are not met. Learn more in our comprehensive guide to what you can claim from the DVA.

The Veteran Gold Card allows you to get clinically required healthcare treatment at public and private hospitals, general practitioners, specialists, and allied health providers. It also covers essential medicine, medical aids, and home care services. For a complete list of services, visit our DVA Gold Card Benefits.

If DVA disagrees that your condition has worsened sufficiently, you have the right to appeal. We can represent you through the Veterans' Review Board (VRB) process. Professional advocacy can help you navigate the appeals process, present your case clearly and understand your options at each stage. Discover more about DVA appeals.

If DVA refuses the additional payment or you believe the amount is too low, you may be able to ask for an internal review or lodge a formal appeal within strict time limits. This can involve providing additional evidence, clarifying your dependants’ situation or asking an independent body to review the decision again. For a clearer explanation of your review options and how the appeals process works, learn more in our DVA Appeals Guide.

If an accepted service-related condition reduces your capacity to work, you may be eligible for incapacity payments through DVA. In some cases, eligible former members may instead be offered the Special Rate Disability Pension, but only if they meet the specific criteria under MRCA. Discover more in our DVA Incapacity Payments and SRDP DVA guides.

If DVA rejects your claim or you disagree with the calculation, you can seek a review. For MRCA decisions, you generally have 12 months from the date you receive notice of the decision to apply in writing to the Veterans’ Review Board and explain why you disagree. Learn more about the appeals process in our DVA Appeals Guide.

You have the right to appeal a claim rejection through the Veterans' Review Board (VRB) within 12 months of the decision. We can review your case, identify what went wrong and help you prepare a well-supported submission for reconsideration in line with DVA review requirements. Learn more about what to do when DVA rejects your claim.

If your accepted conditions worsen or your circumstances change, you can request a review of your household services. DVA can reassess your needs and adjust the level of support you receive, and we can help veterans through this process so their entitlements keep pace with their actual requirements. Check out our DVA Needs Assessment guide.

To get started, it helps to have your DVA decision letters, details of your accepted conditions, your current impairment rating, and key information about each dependant—such as their ages, schooling, work status and how you support them financially. Having these details ready lets us quickly check whether you may qualify for an additional payment and what evidence will be needed. To make this easier, you can find a simple checklist in our How to Make a DVA Claim guide.

An initial liability claim is your first step with DVA. It establishes that your injury, illness or mental health condition is connected to your defence service under MRCA legislation. Once DVA accepts liability, you can access treatment through a White Card and pursue permanent impairment compensation. Find out more in our guide to DVA initial liability claims.

If you receive permanent impairment compensation under MRCA, your payment options depend on the level of compensation payable. Depending on that assessment, you may be able to take all of it as a lump sum, part as a lump sum and part as a periodic payment or continue with periodic payments. Explore the options in our DVA Permanent Impairment Rates guide.

The Veterans' Review Board is usually the first step in appealing a DVA decision. It's a less formal process where board members with veteran experience review your case. If you're not satisfied with the VRB outcome, you can appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal, a more formal legal process.

Under MRCA, private vehicle travel generally requires a minimum 50-kilometre round trip. There’s no minimum distance for public transport or taxi travel. Which Act applies to you depends on when you served. Our What Can I Claim From the DVA guide explains the differences.

The permanent impairment assessment process evaluates the severity of a veteran’s injury or disease. It involves a medical professional reviewing the veteran’s condition, determining its impact on daily life, and assigning an impairment rating. This rating influences the compensation amount. Veterans can add additional medical information if required during the process.

If you hold a Gold Card, you may be able to claim reimbursement for treatment of any medical condition treated within Australia. White Card holders can claim for treatment related to accepted service-related conditions only. Eligible expenses include GP visits, specialist consultations, imaging (MRIs, X-rays, scans), pathology, hospital costs, allied health services and pharmaceuticals. Learn more in our DVA Claim for Medical Expenses guide.

DVA rehabilitation covers three areas: medical management, psychosocial support and vocational rehabilitation. You may also be eligible for household services, attendant care and mobility aids. Discover more in our guide to DVA care services for veterans.

Your White Card covers treatment only for DVA-accepted conditions listed on your card. A Gold Card covers all clinically required medical treatment for any condition, whether service-related or not. You can't apply directly for a Gold Card. It's issued when you reach 60+ impairment points, receive the Special Rate Disability Pension or meet certain age and service criteria. Learn more in our Veterans Card guide to DVA benefits and eligibility.

An "in-time" claim covers expenses you paid between your eligibility or condition onset date and when you were notified of your DVA entitlement. "Out-of-time" claims are for expenses incurred after you received your eligibility confirmation. These are considered only in exceptional circumstances, such as emergency treatment or when a DVA-accepting provider wasn't available.

DVA household services cover a broad range of domestic tasks with specific services approved depending on your assessed needs and how your accepted conditions affect your daily life. Learn more in our DVA Home Care guide.

DVA can reimburse private vehicle travel, public transport fares, taxi costs, accommodation, meals and parking. Your specific entitlements depend on which Act covers your service and what type of Veteran Card you hold. Learn more in our DVA Travel for Treatment guide.

Once DVA accepts your condition as service-related, you receive a White Card covering treatment for that specific condition. This includes GP visits, specialist consultations, allied health services, hospital care and subsidised medications through the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. If you reach 60 or more impairment points, you'll receive a Gold Card covering all your healthcare needs. Find out more in our comprehensive guide to what you can claim from the DVA.

Under MRCA, eligible veterans may access payments such as permanent impairment compensation and incapacity payments. In more specific circumstances, eligible former members may be offered the Special Rate Disability Pension instead of incapacity payments and veterans assessed at 80 or more impairment points may receive additional compensation for each eligible young person who meets DVA’s rules. Read more about what you can claim in our What Can I Claim From the DVA? Guide.

You don’t need to wait until everything is “perfect” before reaching out—getting advice early can help you plan your permanent impairment and dependant-related claims so they work together. Whether you’re lodging a new claim, considering a reassessment or suspect you’ve been underpaid in the past, we can review where you’re up to and suggest practical next steps. To understand when to act and how different types of support fit together, find out more in our Access DVA Support, Compensation and Benefits guide.

The Veteran Gold Card is available to veterans who meet specific service-related criteria, including those with a qualifying disability, severe impairment, or certain war service classifications. Eligibility is determined based on DVA’s assessment of your service history and medical condition. To learn more about whether you qualify, visit our Gold Card Eligibility Guide.

A dependant is usually your child, stepchild, adopted child or another young person who is financially reliant on you. In most cases, they must be under 16, or aged 16–25 and in full-time education and not working full-time on their own account at the relevant date. If your situation involves shared care, blended families or apprenticeships, we look at the details to clarify who may qualify. You can find out more about these dependency rules in our DVA Child Payment article.

A reassessment looks at whether your current symptoms meet different impairment thresholds. Depending on the evidence, this can result in an increase, decrease or no change to your permanent impairment rating and related entitlements. DVA compares your current condition against the criteria at the time of decision. If you don’t meet a higher threshold, your rating will generally stay the same unless there is evidence that your condition has improved. Learn more about permanent impairment rates.

DVA can consider MEPI reimbursement where your provider did not accept your DVA card, but it will not reimburse repeat visits to health providers who do not accept Veteran Cards, unless exceptional circumstances apply. DVA expects you to check before appointments whether a provider accepts your card and to move to a provider who does as soon as you can. View our DVA Medical guide.

This payment forms part of your DVA compensation package and is generally tax-free, but your overall mix of lump sums, ongoing payments and other benefits can still affect how some income-tested pensions and supplements are calculated. The impact is highly individual, which is why we encourage you to seek tailored financial advice before making big decisions. For a clearer picture of how different amounts and rates interact, learn more in our DVA Payout Figures guide.