There's no average DVA payout for depression or anxiety. DVA doesn't pay a set amount for a mental health condition. If DVA accepts the condition as service-related, permanent impairment compensation depends on how much it impairs you, how it affects your life and your type of service.
Is there an average DVA payout for depression or anxiety?
Two veterans with the same diagnosis can receive very different amounts. DVA combines the impairment from all your accepted conditions into a rating from 0 to 100 points, adds a lifestyle rating from 0 to 7, and applies the compensation factor for your type of service. Earlier compensation is taken into account, and a lump sum also depends on your age. Someone else's depression or anxiety payout doesn't predict yours.
You need at least 10 impairment points from your accepted conditions to receive permanent impairment compensation. Mental and physical impairments count together.
How much the payout can be
DVA publishes weekly rates by impairment points. For example:
| Impairment points | Weekly rate, warlike or non-warlike service | Weekly rate, peacetime service |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | $447.39 | $447.39 |
| 50 | $238.01 | $132.87 |
| 30 | $138.69 | $77.40 |
| 20 | $99.32 | $55.48 |
| 10 | $49.66 | $27.74 |
These are DVA's published MRCA rates from 1 July 2026, using the higher expected compensation factor for each level. Your lifestyle rating can move the amount up or down. See the full impairment points table.
Making a DVA mental health claim
A mental health claim is an initial liability claim like any other: you need a diagnosis from a qualified health professional, and you lodge the claim in MyService. From 1 July 2026 DVA considers presumptive liability first, then the Statements of Principles.
Under presumptive liability, DVA accepts anxiety disorder as service-related if you had more than 28 days of warlike service, not counting the first 28 days, and the condition began during that service or within 5 years after it. Adjustment disorder has a similar rule with a 3-month window. Depressive disorder isn't on the main presumptive list; it can be presumed only as a secondary condition when alcohol use disorder is already an accepted condition. Otherwise DVA assesses depression and anxiety claims against the Statements of Principles.
Read how DVA accepts conditions
Treatment doesn't wait for a claim
If you have at least one day of continuous full-time service, DVA can pay for treatment of any mental health condition without you proving it's related to service. This is non-liability health care, and it's separate from compensation. Open Arms also provides free counselling.
Read about DVA non-liability mental health care
Checked against DVA's website on 25 September 2026.