Pharmaceutical Supplement
What is Pharmaceutical Supplement?
Pharmaceutical Supplement is a fortnightly payment similar to Veterans Supplement and MRCA Supplement. It is paid to certain people who hold a Gold Card under the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests and British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Treatment) Act 2006.
Eligibility and payability rules for Pharmaceutical Supplement
A person is eligible for Pharmaceutical Supplement if they hold a Gold Card under the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests and British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Treatment) Act 2006.
Pharmaceutical Supplement is not payable if the person is entitled to a precluding payment. Precluding payments are:
- Veterans Supplement;
- MRCA Supplement;
- SRCA Supplement;
- a payment under the social security law that includes either Pension Supplement or Pharmaceutical Allowance;
- Service Pension;
- war widow(er) pension.
Pharmaceutical Supplement is also not payable if the person is a wholly dependent partner under the MRCA.
How much is the Pharmaceutical Supplement?
The Pharmaceutical Supplement is set as equal to the rate of Veterans Supplement under section 118C of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986. Current payment rates are here.
Can Pharmaceutical Supplement be paid outside Australia?
Pharmaceutical Supplement is not payable to recipients who are outside Australia permanently or have been temporarily outside Australia for more than 26 weeks.