You are here

1.1 Veterans

Document
Last amended 
14 June 2022
About this chapter

This chapter contains details of what constitutes a Veteran as defined in the VEA, and the groups of people who meet that definition. Veteran status is the first of the criteria that must be met for a person to have an entitlement to Disability Compensation Payment or service pension under the VEA.

In addition to Veteran status, a person must also have rendered certain types of service to have an entitlement to Disability Compensation Payment or service pension. These service requirements are described further in Chapter 2 Service Types.

 

See Also


 

 

Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Disability compensation payment (known before 2022 as disability pension), for the purposes of service pension, income support supplement and veteran payment, means:

  • a pension paid by way of compenstion for incapacity from war caused conditions, or peacetime, peacekeeping or hazardous service caused conditions (other than a war widow's or orphan's pension); or
  • temporary incapacity allowance; or
  • any other payment in respect of incapacity or death resulting from war or war-like operations in which the Crown has been engaged (usually paid by another Commonwealth country).

Please note that the Disability Compensation Payment is legally a pension by way of compensation under the VEA so that concessional benefits under state, territory and local government legislation to pensioners/pensions under the VEA are not denied.

 

A service pension is an income support payment broadly equivalent to the social security age and disability support pensions. It may be paid once a veteran or partner has reached the nominated age or is incapacitated for work.

Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.