Understanding the VETS Act — What It Means for You
The Big Change
Australia is moving from three Acts (VEA, DRCA, MRCA) to one single system for new claims: an improved MRCA.
This is meant to make things simpler, fairer, and easier to navigate.
If You Already Receive Payments or Treatment
Nothing is taken away. Nothing stops. Nothing reduces.
Your current payments will continue uninterrupted and will keep being indexed, including:
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Disability Compensation Payments (including TPI)
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Veteran Payment
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Service Pension
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Partner Service Pension
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Income Support Supplement
If you have a Gold or White Card, your treatment access does not change.
If you have Qualifying Service, you still receive the Gold Card at age 70.
These are grandparented, meaning they continue exactly as they are.
If You’re Under DRCA — You Gain New Benefits
From 1 July 2026, DRCA veterans receive major improvements:
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Automatic move to MRCA incapacity payments (more generous, no 5% super deduction)
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Possible eligibility for the Gold Card
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Access to the Special Rate Disability Pension (SRDP)
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Expanded education benefits for children
This is one of the biggest positive changes in the reform.
For All Veterans Making New Claims
From 1 July 2026, all new claims go through the improved MRCA — regardless of when or where you served.
This means:
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One pathway
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One set of rules
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Less confusion
New and Improved Supports Under the MRCA
The new Act includes several enhancements:
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Additional Disablement Amount (ADA)
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Higher funeral allowances and reimbursement for service‑related deaths
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Presumptive liability for certain conditions
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Medical events on duty (e.g., heart attack while on duty) can now be accepted
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Posthumous permanent impairment payments to estates
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More flexible section 80 payments for children of severely impaired veterans
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Earlier start dates for permanent impairment payments
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Financial advice support for vulnerable veterans receiving large lump sums. For vulnerable veterans receiving larger compensation payments, the Commission can require that they get financial advice first, to help protect their long‑term financial wellbeing.”
Review & Governance Improvements
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A single review pathway for all claims
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DRCA veterans can now appeal to the Veterans’ Review Board
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Travel reimbursement improves (no 50km minimum, higher rate)
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Commissions are merged for clearer governance
Common Concerns — Answered Clearly
“Will my payments stop?” No. All existing VEA and DRCA payments continue.
“Will I lose my card?” No. Treatment arrangements stay the same.
“Will I be forced onto MRCA?” Only DRCA incapacity payments transition — and this is more generous.
“Is this worse for older veterans?” No. Grandparenting protects all existing entitlements.
Bottom Line
If you already receive payments or treatment, nothing is taken away. If you’re under DRCA, you gain access to better payments and more benefits. All new claims will use one simplified system.