13.1 What is Special Rate Disability Pension (SRDP)

SRDP is an ongoing payment that can be made to a former member in lieu of incapacity payments. The maximum weekly amount of SRDP is one half of the fortnightly rate of Special Rate (formerly known as Totally and Permanently Incapacitated) pension under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA).

The rate of payment is adjusted in March and September yearly in line with the statutory changes to the Special Rate pension. The calculation of the rate of payment may further be adjusted in January and July each year when Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation adjust pension payments. Another adjustment occurs in July, in line with the statutory increase in permanent impairment compensation (see 13.7 Offsets).

Rehabilitation is an important feature of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) and aims to provide injured members with the support they need to return to work where possible, or reach optimum health and wellbeing.

Most people will benefit from rehabilitation. During the rehabilitation process the Department will provide a range of benefits to meet a person's needs, including incapacity payments for lost income, ongoing treatment, and assistance with household and attendant care. However, at the end of this rehabilitation process, if a person still has a high level of disability and is unable to work more than 10 hours per week, they may choose to accept an offer of SRDP rather than ongoing incapacity payments.