Single Review Pathway

As a DVA client you can appeal a decision that has been made. 

What is the Single Review Pathway?

Currently, the appeal pathway for decisions made by DVA differs depending on which Act the claim falls under. 

The appeal pathway for decisions made under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) begins with a merits review conducted by the Veterans’ Review Board (VRB), followed by a review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).

Decisions made in respect of claims under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) are reconsidered internally by DVA followed by review at the ART.

However, changes have been introduced that will result in a Single Review Pathway from 21 April 2025, which will harmonise the appeal pathways across each of the three Acts. 

Applying for a review for of an original decision made prior to 21 April 2025 

MRCA claimants

The appeal process for MRCA decisions made before 21 April 2025 will not change. 

You will continue to have 12 months from the date of your determination letter to apply for a review by the VRB.  In your request, you must state why you disagree with the decision.

Requests for review by the VRB will continue to be made through DVA for decisions made before 21 April 2025.

VEA claimants

The appeal process for VEA decisions made before 21 April 2025 will not change. 

There are time limits, depending on the type of claim, for when you can ask the VRB to review a decision.

• Death or entitlement of a veteran: you have 12 months from the date you receive notice of the decision. However, we can only pay maximum arrears if you apply within 3 months of receiving notice of the decision. This means that you should apply for your review as soon as possible.
• The rate of pension or a claim for attendant allowance: you have 3 months from the date you receive notice of the decision.

Requests for review by the VRB will continue to be made through DVA for decisions made before 21 April 2025.

DRCA claimants

The appeal process for DRCA decisions made before 21 April 2025 will not change. 

You have 30 days to request a reconsideration from DVA.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of that (DVA) reconsideration, you have 60 days from the date of the reconsideration decision to appeal to the ART.

Requests for reconsideration of DRCA decisions will continue to be made through DVA for decisions made before 21 April 2025.

Current VEA veterans

The appeal process for VEA decisions made before the commencement date of the Single Review Pathway (21 April 2025) has not changed. 

There are time limits, depending on the type of claim, for when you can ask the VRB to review a decision.

• Death or entitlement of a veteran: you have 12 months from the date you receive notice of the decision. However, we can only pay maximum arrears if you apply within 3 months of receiving notice of the decision. This means that you should apply for your review as soon as possible.
• The rate of pension or a claim for attendant allowance: you have 3 months from the date you receive notice of the decision.

Current DRCA veterans

The appeal process for DRCA decisions made prior to the commencement date of the Single Review Pathway (21 April 2025) has not changed. 

You have 30 days to request a reconsideration from DVA.

If you are not satisfied with the reconsideration you have 60 days from the date of the reconsideration decision to appeal to the ART.

Applying for a review of an original decision made from 21 April 2025

MRCA / VEA claimants

The VRB will remain as the first-tier review body for decisions made under the MRCA or VEA. 

However, instead of applying for a VRB review through DVA, you will be required to apply directly to the VRB.

You can request a review in one of the following ways:

• send an email to reviews@vrb.gov.au 
• send a letter to Veterans’ Review Board (VRB), GPO Box 1631, SYDNEY NSW 2001.

You can go to vrb.gov.au for further information.

If you are unsure about which appeal pathway applies to you, please consult the appeal rights in your determination letter. 

DRCA claimants

Original decisions made under the DRCA on or after 21 April 2025 will be open to review by the VRB prior to progressing to the ART (if needed). 

You will have 12 months from the date of the original decision to apply to the VRB. 

Requests for review will be made directly to the VRB in one of the following ways:

• send an email to reviews@vrb.gov.au 
• send a letter to Veterans’ Review Board (VRB), GPO Box 1631, SYDNEY NSW 2001.

You can go to vrb.gov.au for further information.

If you are unsure about which appeal pathway applies to you, please consult the appeal rights in your determination letter. 

What happens to my review that is currently in progress?

There will be no impact on reviews already in progress as at 21 April 2025. The appeal process will continue unchanged.  

Note that any DRCA decisions made prior to 21 April 2025 which are yet to be appealed will also continue through the ‘pre-commencement’ review pathway.  

Additional Resources

There is a range of additional resources available on the Legislation Reform website covering a variety of topics. 
There are individual pages for different veteran cohorts including VEA veterans, DRCA veterans, MRCA veterans and family members of veterans.