Veterans' care reforms most significant in a century
Veterans will be able to access compensation for their military service through a simpler process after the biggest overhaul of the system in a century.
Three complex laws governing Australia’s veteran support system have been rolled into one through legislation that passed the parliament on Thursday.
Urgently simplifying the compensation and rehabilitation scheme was a recommendation made by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide in its interim report.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The changes will kick in a year later than what was recommended by the inquiry, coming into effect in July 2026.
Under the new law, more veterans will be eligible for a Gold Card, which provides treatment for all medical conditions in Australia.
No veteran will experience a cut to their current payments.
Former ADF personnel currently under one of the old pieces of legislation will be be transferred to the new scheme and will be able to appeal Department of Veterans’ Affairs decisions to the Veteran Review Board for the first time from April this year.
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said the changes marked the most significant legislative reform to the support system in a century.
“This all means veterans and families will be able to access the benefits and supports that they need and deserve faster,” he said.
“Thank you to everyone who has played a role in this historic reform, which will benefit veterans and families for generations to come.”
Projections in the 2024 federal budget show payments for rehabilitation and compensation claims are expected to grow by $6.5 billion over the next five years.
