DRCA Veterans

The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) applies to current and former ADF members. 

It covers certain service before 1 July 2004. It provides treatment, rehabilitation and compensation for service-related injuries and conditions.

What will happen from 1 July 2026?

Any compensation being received under the VEA and/or DRCA before 1 July 2026 will continue to be paid. They will also continue to be indexed as normal. 

However, people in receipt of incapacity payments under the DRCA will have those payments transitioned into the more beneficial MRCA system from that date.

Any new or updated claims lodged from 1 July 2026 will be assessed under the MRCA. 

Veteran Gold Card

From 1 July 2026 DRCA veterans with high levels of impairment may, for the first time, be able to qualify for Special Rate Disability Pension (SRDP) and a MRCA Gold Card (subject to meeting the relevant MRCA criteria). 

However, they will first require the acceptance of a new claim for initial liability under the MRCA for a previous impairment to have worsened by at least five impairment points as a trigger for eligibility/assessment under the MRCA.

Whilst you can start the process of gathering documents to apply under the MRCA, only claims from 1 July 2026 will be considered under this expanded eligibility. 

Visit the Legislation Reform Veteran Card page for more information. 

Special Rate Disability Pension (SRDP)

As noted above, DRCA veterans can be assessed for SRDP from 1 July 2026 subject to meeting the following requirements: 

• they are in receipt of incapacity payments under the MRCA; and 
• they are assessed with 50 or more impairment points (per MRCA assessment principles); and
• DVA has confirmation from treating medical specialists that they are unable to work more than 10 hours per week; and
• DVA has confirmation from treating medical specialists that rehabilitation is unlikely to improve their ability to work. 

Visit the Legislation Reform SRDP page for more information. 

Additional Disablement Amount (ADA)

The ADA will be introduced under the improved MRCA for veterans who are over pension age and who have a high degree of impairment due to service-caused injuries or illness. It is similar to the Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) benefit currently available under the VEA. 

The payment is being introduced to ensure continued support for those over pension age once the VEA is closed to new claims.

Visit the Legislation Reform ADA page for more information. 

Education Scheme 

Eligible dependants of current DRCA veterans may qualify for MRCAETS benefits from 1 July 2026. 

Whilst you can start the process of gathering documents to apply under the MRCA, only claims from 1 July 2026 will be considered under this expanded eligibility. 

Visit the Legislation Reform Education Scheme page for more information. 

Permanent Impairment (PI)

From 1 July 2026, all new permanent impairment claims will be processed under the improved MRCA. 

The improved MRCA will have a number of PI related changes. These include: 

• ‘Date of effect’ – changes will allow treating doctors to provide a meaningful estimate of when an impairment met the requisite criteria of being permanent and stable for payment to commence. 
• Section 80 payments – provisions relating to these payments (made in respect of the children of severely injured veterans) are being amended to allow this compensation amount to be apportioned in line with the caring arrangements for the child.  
• Posthumous MRCA PI payment – these changes will give a legal personal representative the option to convert the weekly rate of PI compensation that would have been payable to a deceased veteran to a lump sum (excluding lifestyle effects).
• Financial advice – allows the Repatriation Commission to determine circumstances that mandatory financial advice should apply prior to payment of a lump sum. 

Visit the Legislation Reform Permanent Impairment page for more information. 

National Servicemen

From 1 July 2026, MRCA eligibility will expand to include all National Servicemen.

Visit the Legislation Reform page for more information and scenarios. 

The existing compensation coverage for ADF members associated with F-111 fuel-tank maintenance work (commonly referred as the ‘Deseal/Reseal’ programs) in the DRCA will be continued under the MRCA, with no change to eligibility requirements and benefits. 

Firefighters

In September 2021, a support scheme was established for ADF personnel who participated in fire training at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Point Cook Fire Training School between 1 January 1957 and 31 December 1986. The Scheme provides eligible personnel with: 

• simplified access to compensation and treatment for a list of 31 specified conditions under the DRCA; 
• access to screening services for colorectal cancer and melanoma, for early detection and prevention; and 
• individually tailored lifestyle advice under the 12-month Heart Health Program.

If you were a fire fighter in the ADF at RAAF Base Point Cook Fire Training School between 1 January 1957 and 31 December 1986 you will continue to be covered under the scheme.

1971 and 1930 Act

The Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees’) Act 1971 (1971 Act), uses a table of maims approach for permanent impairment compensation which only covers a limited number of impairments. Conditions such as mental health and back pain are not included as compensable conditions. 

From 1 July 2026, veterans with coverage under the 1971 Act will be brought under the MRCA and can claim under the MRCA. 

Similarly, from 1 July 2026, veterans with coverage under the Commonwealth Employees’ Compensation Act 1930 (1930 Act) will be brought under the MRCA and can claim under the MRCA. 

Reservists

From 1 July 2026, MRCA eligibility will expand to include all reservists.

Additional Resources

There is a range of additional resources available on the Legislation Reform website covering a variety of topics. These include: the Veteran Card, Special Rate Disability Pension (SRDP), Additional Disablement Amount (ADA), Permanent Impairment Compensation and Education Scheme.

There are individual pages for different veteran cohorts including VEA veterans, MRCA veterans and family members of veterans.