Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Supporting the Wellbeing of Veterans and Their Families) Act 2020

The Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Supporting the Wellbeing of Veterans and Their Families) Act received Royal Assent on 26 November 2020.

This Act implements the following three new measures to support and improve the wellbeing of veterans and their families:

Schedule 1 — Members of Commissions representing families of veterans

Schedule 1 amends the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) to establish a new position for the Veteran Family Advocate (VFA), as a Commissioner of the Repatriation Commission, to also sit on the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (MRCC).

Schedule 1 amends the MRCA and the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) to enshrine the VFA’s duties to represent the views of veterans’ families on both Commissions.

The VFA will undertake engagement, liaison and advocacy across the veterans’ sector, drawing on the advice of veterans’ families to apply this perspective and directly inform the work of the Repatriation Commission and the MRCC in setting veteran policy and the administration of veteran entitlement and compensation claims.

The VFA role will include a focus on veteran mental health and suicide prevention, and responsive engagement with the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention including rapidly translating findings about veteran suicide into action to mitigate suicide risk factors associated with DVA’s service delivery.

Ms Gwen Cherne was appointed under existing provisions of the VEA as the first VFA on 6 August 2020 for a five year term.

The measure will commence on Proclamation.

Schedule 2 — Assistance for former ADF members transitioning to civilian employment

Schedule 2 amends the MRCA to enable the provision of assistance or benefits through the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment Regulations 2020 (MRCA Regulations) to former Australian Defence Force members transitioning to civilian work.

The assistance or benefits, to be provided through the Support For Employment (SFE) Program, will provide eligible former members with pre and post-employment assistance from 12 months to up to 5 years post-transition. Assistance will include, but not be limited to, assistance with resume writing; assistance translating ADF skills to the civilian workforce; job interview coaching and mentoring; and advice on navigating the civilian workforce.

Implementation of the SFE Program has been delayed in view of disruptions resulting from COVID-19 which have impacted Parliamentary sitting weeks.

The measure will commence on Proclamation or 12 months after the Act receives the Royal Assent.

Schedule 3 — Extension of eligibility for quarterly energy supplement

Schedule 3 amends the VEA to extend eligibility for the quarterly energy supplement to eligible Gold Card holders under the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests and British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Treatment) Act 2006 (BNTBCOF Act) and Treatment Benefits (Special Access) Act 2019 (Treatment Benefits Act).

The measure aims to provide equity to all Gold Card holders living in Australia by allowing people receiving the Gold Card under the BNTBCOF Act and Treatment Benefits Act to also receive the quarterly energy supplement.

The measure commenced on 27 November 2020.

Information including the text of the Bill, Explanatory Memorandum, and Minister’s Second Reading Speech.