PAMT, DVA's Provisional Access to Medical Treatment program, pays for treatment of 20 common conditions before DVA has decided your claim. If you lodge a claim for one of these conditions by 30 June 2027, you can get DVA-funded medical and allied health treatment for it while you wait, until DVA makes a decision or 31 December 2027, whichever comes first.
Which conditions PAMT covers
PAMT covers the 20 conditions DVA most commonly accepts. Most are musculoskeletal, plus two hearing and two skin conditions:
- achilles tendinopathy and bursitis
- chondromalacia patella
- cut, stab, abrasion and laceration
- dislocation
- fracture
- internal derangement of the knee
- intervertebral disc prolapse
- joint instability
- labral tear
- lumbar spondylosis
- non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin
- osteoarthritis
- plantar fasciitis
- rotator cuff syndrome
- sensorineural hearing loss
- shin splints
- solar keratosis
- sprain and strain
- thoracic spondylosis
- tinnitus
Your GP can also confirm treatment for a condition related to one of these. A condition that isn't on the list, and isn't related to one that is, can't be treated under PAMT. You can still claim it in the usual way.
No mental health condition is on the list. DVA pays for treatment of mental health conditions separately, through non-liability health care, if you have at least one day of continuous full-time service. You don't have to prove service caused the condition. Read about DVA mental health treatment. To talk to someone now, call Open Arms on 1800 011 046, any time. In an emergency, call 000.
Who can use PAMT
PAMT is open to:
- former ADF members
- part-time reservists
- cadets
- declared members
You must have lodged a liability claim for one or more of the 20 conditions between 18 June 2017 and 30 June 2027. The claim must be under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) or, if you lodged it before 1 July 2026, the DRCA. Since 1 July 2026, all new claims are made under the MRCA, so a claim you lodge now counts. Read about the 2026 legislation changes.
PAMT was due to finish at the end of 2026. The 2026–27 Budget extended it to 31 December 2027.
How to get treatment under PAMT
- Lodge your claim, usually in MyService. Read how to lodge a DVA claim.
- DVA writes to you about PAMT and sends you a Treatment confirmation form.
- Take the form to your GP. Your GP decides whether the injury or illness you need treated is one of the 20 conditions, or related to one.
- If it is, your GP completes the form and sends a copy to DVA. You keep the original.
- Your GP bills DVA for your treatment from that day, the same way they bill for other DVA clients.
For physiotherapy and other allied health, the usual DVA rules apply. You need a GP referral, except for dental and optometry, and the provider bills DVA directly. Check that a provider accepts DVA patients before you book.
What PAMT pays for
PAMT pays for clinically necessary medical and allied health treatment for the claimed condition. The treatment follows the same Treatment Principles that apply to other DVA clients. If you need treatment beyond the usual limits, your provider asks DVA for prior approval. Read about referrals and prior approval.
PAMT doesn't pay for:
- rehabilitation
- home care services
- community nursing
- aids and appliances under the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)
- home or vehicle modifications
DVA can only fund these once it has accepted your claim.
If you paid for treatment yourself
If you're approved for PAMT and paid for eligible treatment yourself, you can ask DVA to pay you back. This applies while DVA is still deciding your MRCA claim or appeal. It can happen if a provider wouldn't accept your Treatment confirmation form, you were treated before your card arrived, or you were treated overseas.
Use form D9338, Application for Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT) Reimbursement. Attach itemised receipts and show any amount Medicare or a health fund paid. Email it to [email protected], post it to DVA at GPO Box 9998, Brisbane QLD 4001, or hand it in at a Veterans' Access Network (VAN) office.
Get DVA's PAMT reimbursement form (D9338)
If DVA accepts or rejects your claim
If DVA accepts your claim, you move to DVA's normal arrangements without a break in treatment. DVA writes to you about the support and compensation you may be able to get. If you don't already have one, DVA issues you a Veteran Card – Specific Conditions (White Card), which pays for treatment of your accepted conditions. Read about the White Card.
If DVA doesn't accept your claim, you can ask for a review. PAMT keeps paying for your treatment while the review is under way, until it's finalised or 31 December 2027. If you don't seek a review, PAMT stops and you should talk to your GP about other treatment options. Read about DVA reviews and appeals.
Either way, DVA won't ask you to repay the cost of treatment you had under PAMT while it assessed your claim.
A free advocate from an ex-service organisation can help you lodge a claim or a review. Find claims help.
Common questions
What does PAMT stand for?
Provisional Access to Medical Treatment. It's the DVA program that pays for treatment of the 20 listed conditions while your claim is being decided.
When does PAMT end?
You must lodge your claim by 30 June 2027 to use PAMT. Treatment under the program ends when DVA decides your claim, when any reconsideration or review is finalised, or on 31 December 2027, whichever happens first.
Checked against DVA's website on 25 September 2026.