Comparison of benefits for dependants
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The following tables provides a comparison of benefits for dependants available.
These are some of the benefits available under the:
- Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA);
- Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) and the Defence Act 1903; and
- Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).
Benefits available upon death
| Benefits | VEA | DRCA | MRCA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Widow(er)’s benefits | A tax-free war widow(er)’s pension payable fortnightly for life in respect of death due to service. An additional income support supplement (means tested). Veteran Gold Card for life. For the current rates, see Disability Compensation Payment and War Widow(er)’s Pension Rates and Allowances | A tax-free lump sum shared between dependants. An additional lump sum death benefit. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for DRCA and the Defence Act | A tax-free payment payable fortnightly for life for a wholly dependent partner. The partner may elect to convert 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of the payment to an age-based lump sum. An additional age-based lump sum is provided where the death is service-caused. Veteran Gold Card for life. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA |
| Dependent children benefits | Fortnightly orphans pension (if war/service-caused death of parent). Conditions apply if child is over 16 years of age—e.g. not eligible if receiving education benefits. Veteran Gold Card while in full time education. For the current rates, see Disability Compensation Payment and War Widow(er)’s Pension Rates and Allowances | A share of the tax-free lump sum shared between dependants. An additional dependent child lump sum benefit. Weekly payment while under 16 years of age, or between 16 and 25 years of age and in full time education. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for DRCA and the Defence Act | A tax-free lump sum payment for each dependent child under 16, or between 16 and 25 if in full time education. A weekly payment while under 16 years, or between 16 and 25 if in full time education. Gold Card (while under 16 years or between 16 and 25 if in full time education). For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA |
| Children’s Education benefits | Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES) benefits (non‑means tested) for eligible children of certain severely disabled members or members whose death has been accepted as service-caused. VCES has various rates of education allowances. For the current rates, see Disability Compensation Payment and War Widow(er)’s Pension Rates and Allowances | No—would have to apply through Centrelink. | Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS) for dependent children of severely injured members or deceased members. MRCAETS has various rates of education allowances. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA |
| Children’s Education benefits, continued | Income Support Bonus for full time students who are 16 years old or over, or under 16 years old receiving the education allowance rate of double orphan, homeless or living away from home. For more details, see Income Support Bonus | No—would have to apply through Centrelink. | Income Support Bonus for full time students who are 16 years old or over, or under 16 years old receiving the education allowance rate of double orphan, homeless or living away from home. For more details, see Income Support Bonus |
| Funeral Benefit | Yes, for service-caused death. Also, automatic grants of funeral benefit to the estates of certain deceased veterans. For the current rates, see Disability Compensation Payment and War Widow(er)’s Pension Rates and Allowances | Yes, where death due to service or to a service-related medical condition. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for DRCA and the Defence Act | Yes, where death is due to service or to a service-related medical condition. (Not payable in cases where Defence has paid for the funeral of a member who died in service.) For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA |
| Bereavement payment (Disability Compensation Payment) | Deceased person’s Disability Compensation Payment continues for six fortnights if there is a surviving spouse. | No. | The following payments continue for six fortnights if there is a surviving spouse or dependent child:
|
| Financial advice | No. | Yes, in cases where advice is sought for investment of the additional death benefit under the Defence Act 1903. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for DRCA and the Defence Act | Yes, for wholly dependent partner when offered choice between weekly payment or conversion of that payment to a lump sum. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA |
| Legal advice | No. | No. | Yes, for wholly dependent partners when offered a choice between a weekly payment or conversion of that payment to a lump sum percentage. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA |
Benefits available under other circumstances
| Benefits | VEA | DRCA | MRCA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children’s Education benefits | Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES) benefits (non‑means tested) for eligible children of certain severely disabled members or members whose death has been accepted as service-caused. VCES has various rates of education allowances. For the current rates, see Disability Compensation Payment and War Widow(er)’s Pension Rates and Allowances | No—would have to apply through Centrelink. | Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS) for dependent children of severely injured members or deceased members. MRCAETS has various rates of education allowances. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA |
| Children’s Education benefits, continued | Income Support Bonus for full time students who are 16 years old or over, or under 16 years old receiving the education allowance rate of double orphan, homeless or living away from home. For more details, see Income Support Bonus | No—would have to apply through Centrelink. | Income Support Bonus for full time students who are 16 years old or over, or under 16 years old receiving the education allowance rate of double orphan, homeless or living away from home. For more details, see Income Support Bonus |
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