Veteran benefits in Australia come mainly from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA). What you can get depends on your service, whether DVA has accepted a condition as caused by service, and your circumstances. Some support is available to anyone who has served.
Not sure if you count as a veteran? Read what a veteran is in Australia.
Health care
- The Gold Card covers treatment for all conditions, the White Card covers accepted conditions and mental health, and the Orange Card gives concessions on prescription medicines. Compare the Veteran Cards.
- Mental health treatment for anyone with one day of continuous full-time service, without a claim, and counselling through Open Arms.
- GPs, specialists, hospitals, allied health and dental, transport to appointments and community nursing. See all DVA health care.
Compensation for service-related conditions
- A DVA claim asks DVA to accept an injury or illness as caused by service. Some conditions are accepted automatically.
- Permanent impairment compensation, worked out from your impairment points.
- Incapacity payments if you can't work because of an accepted condition.
- Treatment while you wait, through PAMT, and reviews and appeals if you disagree with a decision.
Pensions and income support
- The service pension for veterans with qualifying service.
- The special rate of Disability Compensation Payment (TPI) and the Special Rate Disability Pension.
- Veteran Payment while a mental health claim is assessed. Compare DVA pensions.
- Military super invalidity pensions are paid by CSC, not DVA. Read about DFRDB and MSBS invalidity pensions.
Help at home
- Veterans' Home Care, assessed on your needs, for Gold and White Card holders.
- DVA Household Services for tasks you can't manage because of an accepted condition, such as cleaning and gardening.
- Aids, equipment and home modifications and Coordinated Veterans' Care for chronic conditions.
Families
Partners, widows, widowers and children can get pensions, compensation, education help and funeral support. Read about DVA support for families.
Discounts, recognition and records
- Veteran Card discounts and concessions from state governments and businesses.
- The Australian Defence Veterans' Covenant and lapel pin, which you can ask for in MyService.
- DVA nominal rolls for Second World War, Korea, Vietnam and Gulf War service.
Free help to get your benefits
Trained advocates at ex-service organisations help with claims and appeals for free, and Legal Aid can help in some cases. Find free help with a DVA claim. You can also call DVA on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or use MyService.
Read DVA's overview of benefits and services or check DVA's eligibility page.
Checked against DVA's website on 25 September 2026.