A DVA claim starts with an initial liability claim, which asks DVA to accept that an injury or illness is related to your ADF service. You lodge it in MyService, DVA's online portal, which you reach through your myGov account. DVA registers the claim, gathers evidence, decides it and, if it accepts the condition, holds a needs assessment with you before any compensation is paid. Claims lodged from 1 July 2026 are assessed under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).
What an initial liability claim decides
Liability, treatment and financial compensation are separate decisions. Once DVA accepts a condition, it appears on your Veteran Card and you can get treatment for it. A needs assessment then works out which benefits and services you may need, such as incapacity payments or permanent impairment compensation. Accepting a condition does not by itself mean a permanent impairment payment.
Since 1 July 2026, new claims can't be lodged under the VEA or DRCA. All new claims go under the MRCA, whenever you served or were injured. Claims lodged before that date under the VEA or DRCA keep going under those Acts.
Set up MyService through myGov
MyService is where you lodge and track claims, upload documents, see your accepted conditions, book transport, download letters for tax or concessions and message DVA. To link it to myGov in a web browser:
- Sign in to myGov and select View and link services.
- Select Link next to the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
- If you are already a DVA client, get an activation code by calling 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or visiting a Veterans' Access Network location or Services Australia service centre.
- If you are new to DVA, select Register now. Choose whether you are still serving, no longer serving or have never served, then enter your details, including your PMKeyS number, service number or DVA client number, and your proof of identity documents. They must match your identity documents exactly. DVA emails an activation code within 24 hours.
- Enter the activation code and your date of birth, then select Submit.
In the myGov app, go to Services, select the link or plus icon and choose the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Read DVA's MyService set-up guide
What you need before you lodge
- A confirmed diagnosis from a qualified health professional for each condition, with proof such as a GP or specialist report. Defence medical documents count.
- Details of your service. The first time you claim, you also need proof of service, unless you have a PMKeyS number, because DVA already has that service history.
- Any documents that show how service caused or contributed to the condition, such as incident reports or hazardous material exposure reports.
- Your GP's or treating practitioner's details.
You don't need to arrange extra medical assessments or reports before lodging. If DVA needs more, it will tell you what is required and whether it will pay. Check that DVA has requested and approved an assessment before you book or pay for one.
Lodge the claim in MyService
- From the home page, find Services and benefits and select Apply now, then the Initial Liability tile.
- Enter one condition per claim, using a specific diagnosis such as post-traumatic stress disorder rather than a broad term. If you have several conditions, submit a claim for each. Claims submitted on the same day are bundled together for processing.
- Add the date the condition started, or the month and year if you're not sure, and say whether you were on duty when an injury happened.
- Upload your medical evidence as PDF, JPG or PNG files of up to 50 MB each.
- Describe how your service caused, aggravated or contributed to the condition. Add your representative's details if you have one.
- Review the details and select Submit Claim.
You can select Save and exit at any point and resume later from your Claims list. An unsubmitted claim is deleted after 90 days, counted from the last time you saved it. If you are claiming a mental health condition and it stops you working more than 8 hours a week, MyService may offer an application for Veteran Payment after you submit.
After you lodge
DVA's service standards say it will acknowledge your claim within 5 business days. While an initial liability claim waits to be allocated, DVA contacts you about every 30 days. Once it is allocated, the delegate should call you within 14 days, then update you every 30 days. The delegate may ask Defence, CSC or Centrelink for information, ask you for more documents or arrange medical appointments. Before the decision, DVA calls to explain the likely outcome and reasons. The decision letter sets out your review rights.
To check progress, select the Claims tile on your MyService home page and find the claim in the Claims underway list. A status of Awaiting your information, with a Required documents task, means DVA needs something from you. Upload it through the same claim. See how long DVA claims take.
Read DVA's guide to what happens after you claim
If you disagree with a decision
Follow the review instructions and deadline in the decision letter. You can request a review in MyService. For most compensation decisions made from 21 April 2025, the first external review is by the Veterans' Review Board, and you usually have 12 months to apply. If the Board doesn't resolve it, you may be able to appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal within 3 months of the Board's decision. Read about DVA reviews and appeals.
Help with a claim
DVA's Claims Lodgement Assistance program gives you a trained DVA staff member, face to face or online, who can help you work out the documents you need and walk you through MyService. Email [email protected]. You can also get help at a DVA office or Veterans' Access Network site, or on 1800 VETERAN, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm AEST. Serving members can book a Veteran Support Officer on base through [email protected].
Free advocates from ex-service organisations can prepare and lodge claims and reviews for you. They request access in MyService and you approve it. DVA says paying an advocate doesn't make processing faster or guarantee a better result. Find a free DVA advocate.
Never give anyone your MyService or myGov sign-in details. myGov never sends emails or SMS messages with links. Claims can take time, and 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
You can withdraw a claim at any time before DVA decides it, for example if you realise you've claimed the wrong condition. A new claim counts from the date you lodge it. Once DVA has decided you're entitled to permanent impairment compensation and sent the decision, you can't withdraw the claim. If you disagree with the amount, ask for a review instead.
If DVA writes asking for information or documents, you normally have 28 days. If you need longer, ask for an extension in writing before the time runs out. If nothing arrives and you have no good reason, DVA can put the claim on hold or decide it on what it already has. If DVA books you in with a doctor and you can't go, tell it before the appointment. If you miss the appointment without a reasonable excuse, your compensation can be suspended until you attend, and you don't get back pay for the gap. You have 14 days after the appointment to give your reason.
Common questions
I don't have a myGov account. Can I still lodge a claim?
Yes. If you're not using an advocate, you can lodge a paper claim form with a medical diagnosis for each condition and proof of identity. DVA says MyService is the quickest way to lodge and track a claim.
Will I be moved to the back of the queue if I forget a document?
No. DVA registers the claim but marks it incomplete and puts it on hold until you send what's missing. It will tell you what it needs. Your claim doesn't lose its place, but it can't progress until the information arrives.
Is MyService secure?
DVA says MyService uses Australian Government security standards and you sign in through myGov. It recommends strong passwords and two-factor authentication or myID.