Penalties for Failure to Meet Obligations

Last Amended: 27 February 2023

Failure to notify within the notification period - service pension, veteran payment and ISS

56A of the VEA - Automatic termination VEA - recipient not complying with Section 54 notification obligations

56B of the VEA - Automatic rate reduction VEA - recipient not complying with Section 54 notification obligations

If a service pensioner, veteran payment or income support supplement recipient does not meet their obligation to notify of a change in circumstances within 14 days (28 days if living overseas or receiving remote area allowance), a reduction, suspension or cancellation of pension takes effect from the day of the event that led to the reduction, suspension or cancellation. The pensioner will receive an overpayment for excess pension paid from the date of event.    

Refusal or failure to comply – service pension, veteran payment and ISS

In the case of refusal or failure to comply as far as the person is capable, the penalty is 10 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.   

In the case of a person knowingly giving information that is false or misleading, the penalty is 20 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months, or both.    

Failure to take action to obtain comparable foreign pension

If a person fails to meet their obligation to take reasonable action to obtain a foreign pension, their service pension, veteran payment or ISS may be cancelled or suspended.