You are here

1.1.4 Merchant Mariners

Document
Introduction

This section covers Australian or allied merchant mariners who can claim entitlements under the VEA. Australian merchant mariners may be entitled to both Disability Compensation Payment and service pension. Allied merchant mariners are only entitled to service pension.  Allied mariners include persons and ships from Commonwealth countries.


 

 

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.