Education Scheme

What education schemes are available?

DVA’s education schemes provide eligible dependants of certain veterans with financial assistance and student support services, and can arrange for guidance and counselling to help them achieve their highest potential in full-time education or career training.

The current education schemes are: 

• The Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES), established under the VEA; and
• The Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS), established under the MRCA.

While the benefits provided under each scheme are mostly the same, eligibility rules differ slightly. 

Am I eligible? 

The VEA defines an eligible child of a veteran as the veteran’s natural or adopted child, or any other child who is, or was immediately before the death of the veteran, wholly or substantially dependent on the veteran.

The MRCA defines an eligible young person as a dependant who is (or was immediately prior to the death of the member) wholly, mainly or partly dependent on the member and includes any person for whom the member stands in the position of a parent.

For the purposes of eligibility under VCES and MRCAETS, an eligible child is someone who is under 16 years old or is who is aged between 16 and 25 and undertaking full-time education, including apprenticeships, traineeships and cadetships. Additional categories also exist (such as the children of veterans receiving certain entitlements under the VEA or the MRCA and in cases of severe injury or death), all of which can be viewed on the DVA website.

Certain young dependants of veterans eligible under the DRCA can obtain guidance and counselling, but they do not have coverage for most benefits accessible under the education schemes. This coverage will change from 1 July 2026.

How do I apply?

You will need to complete an education scheme claim form. This can be submitted via post, through the online MyService portal or by emailing educationschemes@dva.gov.au.

What will happen from 1 July 2026?

From 1 July 2026 there will be only one education scheme available to eligible children, the MRCAETS.

Current MRCA dependants

There will be no changes to MRCAETS eligibility or application processes for the eligible children of MRCA veterans. 

Current DRCA dependants

Eligible dependants of current DRCA veterans may qualify for MRCAETS benefits from 1 July 2026, subject to meeting the necessary eligibility criteria under the MRCA.

Current VEA dependants

Access to the MRCAETS will be extended to eligible dependants of VEA and DRCA veterans subject to meeting the necessary requirements under the MRCA. 

From 1 July 2026, if you are accessing VCES you will automatically transfer to MRCAETS without the need to reapply for the current study year.

Additional Resources

There is a range of additional resources available on the Legislation Reform website covering a variety of topics. These include: Compensation for Dependants and the Veteran Card. 

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