Note for CLIK Users
Under changes commencing on 1 July 2026, the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) are being closed to new claims for compensation and rehabilitation. From this date, all new requests for family support services including crisis assistance, Acute Support Packages, family counselling and child‑related supports (including access to DVA’s education schemes), must be determined under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).
Existing family support arrangements granted under the VEA or the DRCA before 1 July 2026 will continue without interruption but will transition to the MRCA upon commencement or as new applications are made.
With effect from this date, any assistance being provided via an Acute Support Package will be consolidated under the MRCA with no requirement for the veteran or family to do anything in preparation for the changes. Packages granted under the DRCA or VEA prior to 1 July will continue until that period of support ends.
From 1 July 2026, education assistance for eligible dependants is also being consolidated under the MRCA, with the MRCA Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS) becoming the single ongoing scheme. Assistance being provided under the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme from 1 July will be transitioned to the MRCAETS without the need to re-apply.
The changes also mean that, for the first time, dependants of veterans with coverage under the DRCA may be able to access the MRCAETS from 1 July 2026, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements under the MRCA.
A further change relates to payments which are made in accordance with section 80 of the MRCA (for severely impaired veterans). From 1 July 2026, this section of the MRCA is being expanded to allow for payments to be apportioned based on the care arrangements of the child. This will align with arrangements that already exist for other Government family assistance. The circumstances for how the payments are to be apportioned (and who is eligible) will be prescribed via legislative instrument.
Importantly, those with eligibility under the VEA/DRCA will require a five impairment point worsening to their baseline impairment rating before eligibility can be considered under the MRCA after 1 July.
Note: Additional information on this (and other) topics will be made available in the relevant CLIK chapters and sub-chapters soon.
Information videos covering the 1 July 2026 legislative reform changes are also available via the following link Information Videos
About this Part
This part provides policy guidance in regard to the Veterans' Children Education Scheme (VCES) and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS).