An MRCA initial liability claim took 136 days on average for claims received in the 12 months to 31 August 2026: 94 days with DVA and 42 days waiting for information from the veteran or others. Claims for conditions DVA accepts automatically can be decided in less than 2 weeks. How long your own claim takes depends mostly on whether it is complete when you lodge it and how quickly DVA gets the evidence it needs.
DVA's published processing times
DVA publishes processing times for MRCA claims on its website. These are its figures as at 31 August 2026.
| Measure | Average |
|---|---|
| Allocating an initial liability claim to a claims support officer | 13 days |
| Processing an initial liability claim received in the last 12 months | 136 days |
| Age of all initial liability claims not yet finalised | 191 days |
| Allocating a permanent impairment claim, counted from the liability decision or lodgement, whichever is later | 144 days |
| Processing a permanent impairment claim received in the last 12 months | 168 days |
These are averages. Processing time includes allocation. The time with DVA leaves out any time DVA spends waiting for information from you or someone else. The age of outstanding claims measures claims still open, which is why it is longer than the processing average. DVA handles claims in the order they arrive and according to urgent need.
Claims lodged before 1 July 2026 under the VEA or DRCA are reported separately. As at 31 August 2026, DVA said the average age of historical initial liability claims on hand was 281 days, and of DRCA permanent impairment claims on hand, 256 days. DVA says the historical figure reflects complex, long-running claims that involve more than one Act.
See DVA's current processing times
Faster decisions under presumptive liability
From 1 July 2026, if you claim a condition on the presumptive liability list, include a diagnosis for each condition, and send everything DVA needs with the claim, DVA may decide it in less than 2 weeks without seeking more evidence. See which conditions DVA accepts automatically.
What affects how long your claim takes
- Whether the claim is complete. DVA counts a claim as complete when it has the claim form, correct proof of identity and a diagnosis from a qualified doctor for each condition. An incomplete claim is registered but put on hold until the missing information arrives.
- Evidence from other people. The delegate may need records from Defence, CSC or Centrelink, or reports from your doctors. Time spent waiting for these is part of the processing average.
- Medical assessments. If DVA needs more medical information, it contacts you to explain what is required and whether it will pay. Reports arranged without DVA's approval may not be covered, and the cost may stay with you.
- How complex the claim is. Some claims need more investigation, and older claims involving more than one Act have taken longer.
- The type of claim. DVA must accept liability for a condition and complete a needs assessment before compensation is paid, so a permanent impairment claim adds to the initial liability time.
How to check your claim status in MyService
Sign in to MyService through myGov and select the Claims tile on the home page. Your claim is in the Claims underway list. If it shows Awaiting your information, DVA needs documents from you and you will have a Required documents task. Upload them through the same claim; the sooner you do, the sooner DVA can finish it.
If you have appointed a representative and haven't heard from DVA, check with your representative too. If your circumstances change while you wait, update your details in MyService or call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).
Read how to lodge and track a claim in MyService
What DVA commits to while you wait
DVA's service guarantee for compensation claims says it will:
- acknowledge your claim within 5 business days
- return your calls within 2 business days and answer emails within 5 business days
- contact you every 30 days while your initial liability claim waits to be allocated
- call you within 14 days of the claim being allocated, then update you every 30 days
- call you before a decision is made to explain the likely outcome and reasons.
If this isn't happening, DVA asks you to tell it through its feedback form.
How to avoid delays
- Include a confirmed diagnosis from a qualified health professional for each condition.
- Give complete, accurate information and any reports or documents you already have.
- Answer DVA's requests quickly, through MyService where you can.
- Don't book or pay for medical reports DVA hasn't asked for.
Help while you wait
- For 20 common conditions, PAMT pays for treatment before your claim is decided.
- DVA pays for treatment of any mental health condition without a claim if you have at least one day of continuous full-time service.
- If you're claiming for a mental health condition and can't work, Veteran Payment may help while DVA assesses the claim.
- Open Arms offers free, confidential counselling 24 hours a day on 1800 011 046. In an emergency, call 000.
Rules that are easy to miss
DVA gives priority to some claims, including where the veteran is terminally ill, is over 90, is in or facing financial hardship, has a serious injury or mental health condition with a risk of harm, or can't get treatment until the claim is decided. If one of these applies to you, say so in the claim and in any follow-up, and include evidence such as a doctor's letter.
Common questions
How long does a permanent impairment claim take?
As at 31 August 2026, DVA took 144 days on average to allocate a permanent impairment claim, counted from the liability decision or lodgement, whichever was later. Permanent impairment claims received in the last 12 months took 168 days on average to process.
Where can I see DVA's current wait times?
DVA's Conditions and Claims Processing Times page shows the latest averages and the number of claims on hand. For your own claim, check its status in MyService or ask the claims officer when DVA contacts you.
Checked against DVA's website on 25 September 2026.