Veterans will soon be receiving a significantly simplified and streamlined compensation system, following policy changes organised by Veterans Affairs Minister and Member for Burt Matt Keogh.
Currently, a complex tri-act system is in place to determine how a veteran can get support through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
The problems resulting from this system were reported in The Examiner’s May 23 2024 edition, where the unequal treatment of veterans based on a variety of factors was discussed, as was the advocacy of veterans to change it.
The three systems currently in place cover different time periods and types of service, meaning the same individual could be covered by two or three systems for different claims.
It has been announced that, from 1 July, all service will be covered under a single scheme, making it easier for ex-servicemen and women to make a claim without the unnecessary complexity, the DVA has stated.
This new scheme is more than two years in the making.
“The complication of having three systems was identified by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which said it is ‘so complicated that it adversely affects the mental health of some veterans and can be a contributing factor to suicidality,’” a Burt spokesperson said.
“From 1 July, all new claims will be determined under an improved version of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, while the Veterans Entitlement Act and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act will be closed to new claims.”
Minister Keogh was upfront in highlighting what he viewed as the previous system’s inadequacy.
“After decades of piecemeal change and a century of veterans’ entitlements legislation, the system was a nightmare. The Royal Commission itself emphasised this. The complexity contributed to delays, inconsistent outcomes, claims backlogs and confusion. Reform could not wait,” he said.
“We undertook multiple rounds of consultation with the veteran community, including putting forward a draft bill. After further consultation, the Parliament passed the VETS Act in February 2025. The extensive consultation was critical to ensuring the legislation was fit for purpose, and importantly, no veteran or family member will see a reduction in entitlements.”
Minister Keogh has expressed optimism about how the new system will benefit both the operations of the DVA and the wellbeing of those it supports.
“With all new claims processed under the one ongoing scheme, it’ll be simpler for everyone to know what they are entitled to, and it’ll be quicker and easier for the DVA to process claims. No one will be worse off or see a reduction, and various entitlements will be enhanced. This will provide clearer and fairer outcomes for veterans, regardless of where or when they served.”
The significant legislative reform has been accompanied by Speaker of the House of Representatives Milton Dick’s recent visit to the Armadale community as part of his Parliament in Schools Flag Roadshow. Mr Dick is currently visiting a school in every federal electorate to educate students on Parliament.
“Alongside Minister Keogh, the Speaker ran a civics education session for the year five and six classes at Gwynne Park Primary School in Armadale, which included unfurling a flag from Parliament House. The flag was the size of a double-decker bus and was so big it took over 100 students to hold it up,” a Burt spokesperson said.
Kelmscott Primary School received a similar visit, with Trish Cook, Member for Bullwinkel, in attendance.
