50.6 Reconsiderations and Reviews IT Systems

DRCA original determinations made on or after 21 April 2025 must be appealed directly to the Veterans’ Review Board (VRB) within 12 months. Subsequent determinations by the VRB can be appealed to the Administrative Review Tribunal. Claimants cannot request a reconsideration by the Commission for determinations made on or after 21 April 2025, however the Commission continues to have the discretion to initiate a reconsideration of own motion.

Determinations made before 21 April 2025 cannot be reviewed by the VRB, so claimants should request a reconsideration by the Commission within 30 days of decision. Claimants can confirm the review pathway relevant to their claim by checking the determination letter. More information is available at dva.gov.au/single-review-pathway or vrb.gov.au

Facilities exist within each compensation claim registered on Defcare to record and monitor the management of a request for reconsideration or appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).

There are certain levels of permission attached to using the Reconsiderations and Appeals parts of the Defcare record. Other than register a request for reconsideration, only those MRCC offices actually undertaking reconsiderations can initiate Defcare action, events, issue determinations etc.

Specific writings are included in the Defcare User Manual.