Veterans Knowledge HubMaking a DVA claim
If an injury or illness is linked to your ADF service, you start with an Initial Liability claim. Since 1 July 2026, all new claims are decided under one Act: the MRCA.
Also in this area
Reviews and appeals My condition has been accepted — what now? Getting help with your claim: free advocates & paid services Your condition, evidence & Statements of Principles Find a practitioner who accepts DVA What could I be eligible for? Back to the journeyQuick answer
EditorialOne Act from 1 July 2026
OfficialAll new compensation claims, including for a worsening of a condition already accepted under the VEA or DRCA, are decided under the MRCA. Existing VEA and DRCA payments continue.
Claim online in MyService
OfficialMyService is the quickest way to lodge and track a claim. You lodge one Initial Liability claim per condition.
Mental health care needs no claim
OfficialNon-Liability Health Care pays for treatment of any mental health condition. You don't have to prove service caused it.
Free help is available
OfficialTrained ESO advocates help with claims for free. You don't need to pay, or give up part of your entitlements, to get advice.
Which Act applies now
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From 1 July 2026 the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) is the single ongoing Act for veterans' compensation. It replaces three Acts with one for new claims.
- New claims: all new compensation and rehabilitation claims are decided under the improved MRCA. This includes claims for a worsening of a condition already accepted under the VEA (Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, often called an AFI, or application for increase).
- Claims lodged before 1 July 2026 but not yet decided: VEA disability compensation claims and DRCA permanent impairment claims lodged before 1 July 2026 are still decided under those Acts.
- Existing payments: VEA and DRCA (Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988) payments you already get are grandparented. That means they continue uninterrupted and are indexed as normal.
- Exception: most people on DRCA incapacity payments (weekly payments for lost income) immediately before 1 July 2026 moved to the MRCA, and DVA says those payments will not be reduced. A small group of DRCA 'former employees' (on weekly compensation before 1 December 1988) stayed on grandfathered DRCA payments.
- Already-accepted conditions: a new section 24A of the MRCA treats conditions accepted under the VEA or DRCA as service-related under the MRCA. You don't have to re-prove them.
Source: DVA – Veterans' Legislation Reform FAQs; CLIK – PI transitional rules; CLIK – DRCA 'former employees'
What is an Initial Liability claim?
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Initial Liability (IL) is the first step. DVA decides whether the Commonwealth is legally responsible (liable) for an injury, illness or death because it is related to ADF service.
If liability is accepted, it opens the door to treatment, rehabilitation, some payments, and having the condition listed on your DVA Veteran Card. Compensation for long-term effects (permanent impairment) is a later step.
Statements of Principles (SOPs) and evidence
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Statements of Principles (SOPs) are set by the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA). They are legal instruments that list the factors that must exist to link a particular injury or disease to service. They bind DVA, the Veterans' Review Board and the courts.
Most conditions have two SOPs, with different standards of proof:
| Standard | Who it applies to |
|---|---|
| Reasonable hypothesis (more generous) | Operational service, e.g. warlike and non-warlike service under the MRCA |
| Balance of probabilities | Non-operational (peacetime) service |
What it means for you: your evidence should show you have the diagnosed condition, and that one of the SOP factors applied to your service.
Source: RMA – FAQs
Presumptive liability (faster claims)
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From 1 July 2026, presumptive liability lets DVA automatically accept some conditions as service-related. You don't need to prove the link, as long as you have a confirmed diagnosis of a listed condition and your service meets the criteria. It covers claims lodged from 1 July 2026, including:
- 80+ common service-related conditions, including some sequelae (conditions caused by another accepted condition)
- 20 cancers for ADF firefighters, plus 30+ conditions for Point Cook firefighters (1957–1986) and F-111 deseal/reseal workers
- 40+ conditions linked to specific workplace exposures
- Some conditions linked to abuse
You don't apply separately. DVA uses presumptive liability automatically if it applies. Claims lodged before 1 July 2026 follow the older arrangements.
Source: DVA – Presumptive liability
What you need before you start
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- A medical diagnosis with proof, such as a report from a GP or specialist. Documents from Defence can count. Use the specific condition (e.g. 'post traumatic stress disorder'), not a broad term like 'mental health'.
- Proof of service the first time you claim. You don't need it if you have a PMKeyS number, because DVA already has your service history.
- Documents linking the condition to service, such as incident reports or a statement.
- Your medical provider's details.
- Proof of identity if you haven't given it before.
Source: DVA – How to apply for Initial Liability in MyService
How to apply, step by step
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- Sign in to MyService. Under Services and benefits, select Apply now, then the Initial Liability tile.
- Agree to the privacy notice and declaration, then enter your claim details and diagnosis.
- Review and submit. You can Save and exit and resume later, but unsubmitted claims are deleted after 90 days.
- Add more documents after submitting if needed.
- Repeat for each condition – MyService takes one condition per claim.
Paper option: if you're not using an advocate, you can use form D2051 (PDF), Claim for Liability and/or Reassessment of Compensation – one per condition. Paper claims can take longer. If an advocate is helping you, the claim must be lodged online.
If you're still serving
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Serving members can claim. DVA policy prefers claims through ADF channels (such as ADF Rehabilitation), and the Transition Management Service can help if you're facing medical discharge. DVA staff are told to encourage, but not insist on, lodging through your unit.
You can lodge a claim at any time. The sooner you claim, the easier it is to find evidence.
How long it takes
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DVA reports times as averages in calendar days, from lodgement to decision. For MRCA Initial Liability claims received in the 12 months to 31 August 2026, the average processing time was 136 days (about 42 of those days waiting for outside information such as medical reports). Claims still open had been waiting an average of 191 days. Your claim may be quicker or slower. Not sure what your MyService status means? Try the Claim Status Decoder.
Part of the wait is gathering medical reports or Defence records. Complete claims and quick replies to DVA help.
Mental health care and free help while you wait
Guidance
Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC): DVA fully funds treatment of all mental health conditions, with no need to prove a service link. You need a Veteran Card – Specific Conditions (White Card) that covers mental health. Apply via MyService, call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or email NLHC@dva.gov.au. A diagnosis is not required. Costs from up to 3 months before DVA received your application can be reimbursed.
Open Arms: free, confidential counselling for veterans and families, 24/7 on 1800 011 046.
Free advocates: ex-service organisations (ESOs) have advocates trained through the Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP). They're covered by professional indemnity insurance. Find one through DVA's Advocacy Register. Paid advocacy businesses exist – check their training and insurance first.
Source: CLIK – 7.2 Treatment under NLHC arrangements
If you disagree with the decision on your claim, the independent, free Veterans’ Review Board can take a fresh look – check your decision letter for the deadline.
Common situations & what helps
Guidance
Common situations veterans run into, and practical steps that may help. This is general guidance, not a promise of an outcome. Always check the official rule linked under each one.
No diagnosis yet
The situation: You think a health problem came from your service, but a doctor hasn't given it a name yet.
What helps: A claim needs a diagnosis from a qualified health professional for each condition, so a GP visit is usually the first step. Ask for the exact medical name. If your condition is complex, DVA may refer you to an Independent Medical Examiner at no cost to you. For mental health, you don't need to wait: Non-Liability Health Care doesn't need a diagnosis.
Official rule: DVA – Making a claim for a service-related condition
Told to buy a medical report before you lodge
The situation: Someone says you need a paid specialist or 'nexus' report before DVA will look at your claim.
What helps: DVA says you don't need to arrange extra assessments or compensation reports before lodging, unless it asks. Send the medical evidence you already have. DVA only pays for assessments it has approved with a Transaction Reference Number (TRN), so check with your Claims Support Officer or Delegate before you book.
Official rule: DVA – Don't be left with the bill for an unsolicited medical assessment
Claiming more than one condition
The situation: You have several health problems you think are linked to service, such as your back, knees and hearing.
What helps: MyService takes one condition per claim, so you lodge a separate claim for each one. Each condition needs its own diagnosis. Using the exact medical name for each one may help DVA match it to the right Statement of Principles.
Official rule: DVA – How to apply for Initial Liability in MyService
Injured during training or on exercise
The situation: You were hurt on duty, for example a fall, fracture or heart attack during training, exercise or at sea.
What helps: From 1 July 2026, DVA can accept an injury that happened while you were on duty, even if service didn't cause it. You still need a diagnosis and proof you were on duty, such as incident or medical reports, rosters, orders or service records. ADF-supervised sport in duty hours is generally treated as on duty.
Official rule: DVA – On duty (medical event on duty)
Veteran experiences (5)
Experience
Claim caught in the DRCA-to-MRCA changeover
Still waitingWhat happened: A veteran experienced a lengthy delay after a claim moved through the DRCA-to-MRCA transition. The claim had reached the stage of waiting for a delegate, but no decision had been made, leaving the veteran unsure how transitional claims were being prioritised.
What other veterans said: Other veterans in the discussion described Initial Liability and Permanent Impairment as separate stages that can each involve their own waiting period. Community timelines varied and should not be used as a forecast.
Check the official rule: DVA – The MRCA
Long phone waits and slow callbacks
Still waitingWhat happened: A veteran experienced difficulty contacting DVA, including long telephone waits and delays in arranging a callback. They were also waiting substantially longer than expected for a travel claim to be processed.
What other veterans said: Other veterans reported very different experiences with both telephone access and travel-claim processing, ranging from quick responses to substantial delays. The thread suggests that processing speed can vary considerably between claims and teams.
Check the official rule: DVA – Claim processing times
One decision covering conditions under two different Acts
ApprovedWhat happened: A veteran received a decision that assessed some conditions under VEA and others under DRCA. Because they believed one condition should have been considered under a different Act, they were unsure whether the legislation had been applied correctly and how mixed-act claims were being assessed.
Check the official rule: DVA – The MRCA
Two claims lodged together, moving at different speeds
QuestionWhat happened: A veteran lodged two Initial Liability claims around a similar period. One was accepted while the other remained untouched, illustrating that claims lodged at roughly the same time can progress at very different speeds.
What other veterans said: Veterans in the comments reported markedly different Initial Liability timeframes, including claims lodged around the same period progressing at very different speeds. This supports treating published processing times as a guide rather than a prediction for an individual claim.
Check the official rule: DVA – Claim processing times
New dental claim while other claims are waiting
Still waitingWhat happened: A veteran with bruxism documented in service medical and dental records was considering a new claim after a dentist identified significant wear and cracking. With other claims still waiting for allocation, they were unsure whether a new dental-related claim was still within time and whether lodging it could affect the progress of existing claims.
Check the official rule: DVA – How to claim under the MRCA
Experiences collected October 2026. Got a correction? Use the feedback form.
Official sources
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- dva.gov.auVeterans' Legislation Reform – Frequently asked questionsView source
- dva.gov.auAll new compensation claims now under improved MRCAView source
- dva.gov.auHow to apply for Initial Liability in MyServiceView source
- dva.gov.auMaking a claim for a service-related conditionView source
- dva.gov.auHow to claim under the MRCAView source
- dva.gov.auClaim for Liability and/or Reassessment of CompensationView source
- dva.gov.au(pdf) application/pdfView source
- dva.gov.auPresumptive liabilityView source
- dva.gov.auConditions and Claims Processing TimesView source
- dva.gov.auClaims processing data – February 2026View source
- rma.gov.auFAQsView source
- rma.gov.auSOPsView source
- dva.gov.auNon-Liability Health Care (mental health) for veteransView source
- clik.dva.gov.au7.2 Treatment under Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) arrangementsView source
- dva.gov.auWhat is an advocate?View source
- dva.gov.auWhat to consider if you're looking for help?View source
- openarms.gov.auOpen Arms - Veterans & Families CounsellingView source
- legislation.gov.auMilitary Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 - Federal Register of LegislationView source
- clik.dva.gov.auCLIK – Permanent impairment transitional rulesView source
All links opened and checked 2026-10-02.