12.2.2 Vocational rehabilitation program

This topic relates to section 2.2 of the VVRS Instrument.

Approval of a vocational rehabilitation program

Section 2.2.2 in the VVRS Instrument should be considered in its entirety before final approval is given. Approval should be based on responses to each of the items listed under section 2.2.2 and a final decision made on the total responses provided, not on isolated items from the list.

Criteria for VVRS participation

The appropriate time-period for a veteran to achieve 'a suitable paid employment outcome' will need to be based on the individual's circumstances. A veteran may achieve a suitable employment outcome relatively quickly through a program that focuses on vocational rehabilitation. Another may require a psychosocial intervention to prepare them for vocational rehabilitation, before finding suitable paid employment. Each veteran’s rehabilitation program, and rehabilitation journey, will be different.

Once a veteran has achieved a suitable paid employment outcome, it is crucial that their employment is continually monitored for an appropriate period as part of the rehabilitation program.

Labour market

This issue will need to be dealt with and catered for during the assessment process, unless circumstances occur which are beyond the capacity of the Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) to predict or control.

Psychosocial and medical management rehabilitation

Section 2.2.5 of the VVRS Instrument allows psychosocial and medical management services to be approved as part of a vocational rehabilitation program if the services are reasonably required to:

a) assist the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment; or

b) address an identified rehabilitation barrier as part of the process of assisting the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment.

Further information can be found in Chapter 12.4 ‘Psychosocial rehabilitation under the VVRS’.