13.13 Eligibility changes for SRDP from 1 July 2026

From 1 July 2026, changes introduced by the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025 (VETS Act) had the effect of closing the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) to new claims. From that date, all claims for compensation and rehabilitation are instead subject to assessment under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), irrespective of when the person served or when their condition(s) occurred. 

An important feature of the VETS Act changes is that people previously only covered by the DRCA or VEA may now be considered for SRDP eligibility. However, the individual will still need to meet the relevant criteria set out in section 199 of the MRCA before a choice to receive SRDP is possible. 

This includes: 

receiving MRCA incapacity payments, or being entitled to MRCA incapacity payments if the offset of Commonwealth-funded superannuation did not reduce the amount to nil or a negative amount; and

• being assessed at 50 or more impairment points under the Guide to Determining Impairment and Compensation 2026 (GARP M 2026).
• This means that the person will need to submit claims for incapacity payments and permanent impairment under the MRCA and have these claims finalised before they can be considered for SRDP eligibility. 

A person who is eligible for the Special, Temporary Special, or Intermediate Rate of the Disability Compensation Payment is not precluded from also being eligible for the SRDP where they meet the eligibility criteria under section 199 of the MRCA. 

Refer to Chapter 13.02 - Investigating eligibility for Special Rate Disability Pension for further information in this regard.