Rehabilitation & returning to work and life

DVA rehabilitation aims to help you build skills to get the most out of your physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing. If you can work, it can also help you find or keep suitable work.

• Since 1 July 2026 the VEA and DRCA are closed to new rehabilitation and compensation claims. All new claims are decided under the MRCA.
• It starts with an assessment of your needs. If rehabilitation suits you, you and a consultant build a plan with goals.
• Not included: medical treatment (such as physiotherapy) and drug or alcohol rehabilitation. Those are arranged separately through injury or health treatments.

Source: DVA – DVA rehabilitation

• You need to be medically able to take part, and have needs that rehabilitation can meet.
• Your needs must be linked to a condition DVA has accepted as related to your service under the MRCA.
• If you don't have an accepted condition yet but you get the Veteran Payment, you may also be eligible.
• Still serving? Defence arranges rehabilitation through the ADF Rehabilitation Program. You may be able to start DVA rehabilitation while you are going through separation.
• There is no time limit after service. If you've had a plan before and things have changed (for example, a condition has got worse), you can ask for a new one.

Source: DVA – DVA rehabilitation

Depending on your circumstances, a plan may also include things like education on managing your finances and social wellbeing activities.

Source: DVA – DVA rehabilitation

• Ask for an assessment: email rehabilitation@dva.gov.au or contact DVA. You can also be referred by another DVA area (for example after a needs assessment), an ex-service organisation, the ADF or another third party.
• Assessment: a consultant from a DVA-contracted rehabilitation provider meets you to understand your needs and goals and check your medical capacity.
• Approval: you can get a plan if you are medically able, have needs rehabilitation can meet, and agree to take part.
• Your plan: you and your consultant set goals, activities and expected dates. If there's a work goal, your doctor is asked for a medical certificate. A DVA delegate reviews and approves the plan.
• Managing it: your consultant supports you and adjusts the plan as your needs change.
• Closing it: the plan ends when you reach your goals, your medical situation means you can't continue, or you stop taking part.

Source: DVA – DVA rehabilitation

• Rehabilitation consultant: your main contact. They work for one of the 15 nationally capable providers DVA contracts. Consultants have allied health qualifications and experience with physical and psychological injuries. DVA's rehabilitation page lists the providers and their contact details.
• DVA rehabilitation delegate: explains your rights and obligations, refers you to a provider, checks the plan meets the rules, approves changes and writes to you when the plan starts and ends.
• Other providers: you may also be linked with activity providers or other services.

Source: DVA – DVA rehabilitation

When you take part in rehabilitation, DVA expects you to:

• take part in your assessment and cooperate with it
• provide medical certificates or health updates when asked
• work towards your goals and do the activities in your plan
• attend medical or other appointments when asked
• respond to your consultant and DVA
• tell your consultant quickly if you can't make an appointment or your capacity changes

When it is compulsory: if you get incapacity payments or the Veteran Payment, you must take part while you are medically able. If obligations aren't met, DVA issues a written warning and may suspend or close the plan. Incapacity payments stop when a plan is suspended or closed.

Source: DVA – DVA rehabilitation; DVA – Incapacity payments

The Veteran Payment is an interim, income-tested payment while DVA assesses an MRCA claim for a mental health condition. To be eligible you must, among other things, be unable to work more than 8 hours a week and be under Age Pension age when you lodge the claim.

• You must take part in rehabilitation if you are able to.
• You lodge the mental health claim first, then apply for Veteran Payment in MyService or with D9333 Application for Veteran Payment.
• It stops 42 days after DVA decides the mental health claim.

Source: DVA – Veteran Payment

The Wellbeing and Support Program is a free, voluntary program. A case worker works with you on agreed wellbeing goals and links you with DVA and community services.

• You can take part for up to 12 months. The aim is for you to be connected with local services by the end.
• Any veteran with conditions accepted under the MRCA, DRCA or VEA can be considered for an assessment.
• If you mainly want help returning to work, DVA suggests rehabilitation may suit you better.
• To find out more or refer yourself (or someone else), call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372), 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.

Source: DVA – Wellbeing and Support Program

• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: free, confidential counselling 24 hours a day for current and ex-serving ADF members and families. Call 1800 011 046. DVA says all veterans and their families can use it.
• Non-Liability Health Care: fully funded treatment for any mental health condition for eligible veterans, without needing to prove a link to service.
• Veteran Employment Program: a government program with resources for veterans and partners moving into civilian work. These include the Veteran Employment Toolkit, the Core Skills Identifier and a list of veteran-friendly employers. See veteransemployment.gov.au.
• DVA education and employment: other study and work supports.

Source: DVA – WASP (Open Arms details); Veteran Employment Program

• Before your assessment, think about what matters most to you: your health routine, family life, getting out and about, study or work. Plans are built around your goals.
• Keep a simple diary of appointments and activities. It helps when you talk with your consultant and if questions come up about your plan.
• If an activity isn't working or your health changes, raise it early. Plans can be changed.
• If you get incapacity payments, take the participation rules seriously, because payments can stop if a plan is suspended.
• A trained advocate can help you understand your rights and obligations.

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.

• dva.gov.auDVA rehabilitation
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• dva.gov.auVeteran Payment
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• dva.gov.auWhat are incapacity payments and how to get them
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• dva.gov.auWellbeing and Support Program (WASP)
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• openarms.gov.auOpen Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling
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• veteransemployment.gov.auVeteran Employment Program | Veteran Employment Program
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• dva.gov.auNon-Liability Health Care (mental health) for veterans
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• dva.gov.auNeeds assessment
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• dva.gov.auVeterans' Legislation Reform – Frequently asked questionsr
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• dva.gov.auEducation and employment
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All links opened and checked 2026-10-02.