Helping children and young people with education and career training

DVA’s Education Schemes provide financial assistance and other support services to eligible children and dependants of current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who have either died or been severely wounded or injured as a result of their service.

We provide this assistance through the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES) established under the VEA legislation, or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS) established under the MRCA legislation.

Under the Schemes, an Education Allowance provides financial assistance to support eligible students undertaking full-time study. Full-time study includes primary, secondary and tertiary education, as well as apprenticeships and traineeships, generally up until age 25. The rate of Education Allowance paid is dependent on the student’s circumstances, including shared parental custody arrangements.

Other support and services under the Schemes (in addition to the Education Allowance) are available anytime throughout the year to support eligible students if a need arises. This includes financial support towards additional tuition, special assistance, counselling and education guidance.

A student who is eligible for the Education Schemes but is instead receiving another Commonwealth payment, may still receive the other support and services listed above.

Further information, including eligibility and other Education Schemes benefits, can be found on the Education Schemes page of DVA’s website.