Vietnam Veterans Association
Bribie Island & Districts Sub Branch
Allied Health Arrangements
Changes to allied health settings are intended to support consistent and appropriate treatment for veterans, the intent is not to reduce entitlements, rather ensure veterans are receiving care that is effective.
These arrangements are focused on ensuring public funding is used effectively and that veterans continue to receive the services they need. They are not intended to limit access to care, and DVA remains committed to working with providers and the veteran community to ensure veterans can access high-quality treatment and support. Even after the new arrangements are in place, if a veteran clinically requires allied health treatment above the $5000 threshold, they will receive it. DVA is designing business processes to ensure necessary approvals do not present a barrier to continuity of care.
Importantly, we will shortly begin consultation on the proposed arrangements with the veteran community, and the date for the implementation of these reforms is still 10 months away, allowing time to ensure we get it right.
Independent medical examinations (MLCOA)
There has also been discussion regarding the use of independent medical examinations (IMEs), including those undertaken through MLCOA.
These independent examinations are not commonplace as you may have heard. IMEs are only used in a relatively small number of circumstances, such as when a veteran cannot access a medical provider, where the information provided is incomplete or unclear, and when a claim is particularly complex or additional medical information is required to support a decision.
In 2025-26, 13% of compensation claims determined involved an IME invoiced by MLCOA. For broader context, over the five years from 2021–22 to 2025–26, MLCOA billed IMEs accounted for 26,730 of 387,524 medical assessment invoices paid by DVA, or around 7% of all medical assessment invoices.
The vast majority of compensation claims rely on information provided by a veteran's treating health professionals. IMEs play an important role when needed in ensuring decisions are based on the best available medical evidence, helping to support fair, accurate and consistent outcomes for veterans.
Claims processing times and system reform
We recognise that timely claims processing remains one of the most important issues for veterans and their families. The Government continues to invest in simplifying the claims system and improving the veteran experience through significant legislative and administrative reforms.
The recent introduction of the VETS Act on July 1 has simplified what was previously a complex tri-Act system. This is generational reform and should make the veteran support system much simpler to navigate, and in time also reduce the time take for the Department to process claims as the new system is embedded.
Measures that improve system integrity also help ensure resources are focused on supporting veterans.
Ultimately, our goal is a system that is easier to navigate, more efficient and focused on veteran wellbeing.
Program integrity
We also want to be clear that DVA’s program integrity work is not directed at veterans, or at the many providers and advocates who support veterans professionally and ethically every day. The overwhelming majority of providers do the right thing.
Recent integrity activity has focused on a very small number of providers where there are concerns about inappropriate billing, over-servicing or other conduct that may not be in veterans’ interests. For context, this includes 23 compensation assessment providers out of 6,575 providers and 34 providers of health services out of the broader network of more than 127,000 of those providing treatment to veterans.
The purpose of this work is to protect the veteran support system and ensure resources remain focused on veterans and families who need support. It is about strengthening safeguards against misuse — not restricting veterans’ access to appropriate healthcare, treatment or compensation. Even where we take integrity-related action, we continue to prioritise processing of the relevant claim and access to necessary treatment.
Information is important
We value the important role ESOs play in supporting veterans and appreciate your assistance in ensuring members have access to accurate information on these matters. As always, we remain available to discuss any questions or concerns.
We also encourage members to consider information from a range of sources and perspectives when forming a view on these issues. Different stakeholders will understandably approach these matters from different perspectives, including clinical, advocacy, operational and policy perspectives. We encourage veterans and families of veterans to seek information from trusted sources, consider the available evidence, and make informed decisions based on a balanced understanding of the issues.
DVA remains committed to open engagement with the veteran community and values the important role that ESOs play in helping veterans navigate complex issues and access accurate information.
Kind regards,
ESORT Secretariat
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Advocates and Supporters,
RE: Scrap the Bloody Veteran Cap
I am writing to ask for your support in standing up for Australian veterans and helping us SCRAP THE BLOODY VETERAN CAP.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is proposing to introduce an annual $5,000 cap on allied health services for Veteran Card holders from 1 July 2027. Let’s call this what it is: a bean-counting exercise that will hit the veterans with the most serious and complex healthcare needs the hardest.
Around 25,000 veterans are expected to reach that cap before the end of the year. That could leave them worrying about whether they can continue seeing their physiotherapist, psychologist, podiatrist, occupational therapist or other allied health provider.
Since this announcement was made, my office has been contacted by veterans, families, advocates and members of the broader veteran community who are deeply concerned about what this cap will mean.
Many veterans are already exhausted from having to repeatedly explain their injuries, justify their treatment and fight through a system that too often makes them prove repeatedly that they need help. The uncertainty surrounding this cap is only adding to that distress. Advocates and veterans have told me it risks compounding existing trauma by forcing people to once again worry about whether their treatment will be approved, interrupted or taken away.
That is not good enough.
Veterans should not receive healthcare according to an arbitrary dollar figure dreamed up in Canberra.
Their treatment should be based on clinical need.They have already paid the price through their service. They should not be forced to fight the government for the healthcare they were promised when they came home.
That is why I have launched a petition to the Australian Senate calling on the government to:
reject the proposed $5,000 annual cap;
guarantee access to clinically necessary treatment;
oppose new administrative barriers that delay or restrict healthcare; and
ensure the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide remain at the centre of veterans’ health policy.
I am asking RSL sub-branches, ex-service organisations, veteran advocates, support services and members of the broader veteran community to help us get this petition in front of as many Australians as possible.
You can help by:
emailing the petition to your members and supporters;
sharing it through your social media pages;
including it in your newsletter or website;
displaying the campaign flyers and QR code at your premises; and
encouraging veterans, families and supporters to add their names.
We have attached campaign flyers that can be printed and displayed.
If your organisation would prefer printed copies, please contact my office and we will be happy to post a supply out to you. We want to make this as easy as possible because the last thing veteran organisations need is more paperwork dumped in their lap.
The petition can be signed here:
https://lambienetwork.com.au/pages/scrap-the-cap
SCRAP THE BLOODY VETERAN CAP.
Thank you for your support.
Yours sincerely,
Senator Jacqui Lambie
Senator for Tasmania
Queensland Government launched the state’s first Queensland Veterans and Veterans’ Families Strategy,
A significant milestone in recognising and supporting the more than 163,000 veterans, and their families, who call Queensland home.
Developed following consultation across the state, both in-person and online, with veterans, families, ex-service organisations and the broader community, the Strategy reflects the experiences and priorities of Queensland’s veteran community.
Thank you to all those who participated in this public consultation. Your voices have helped shape the Strategy into a coordinated, whole-of-government plan to deliver for Queensland's veterans and their families.
We invite you to visit the Veterans Queensland website and read the Strategy today.
