Policy

About this chapter

This chapter describes eligible service for Disability Compensation Payment and service pension under the VEA during World War 1 and World War 2.  It covers the details of what constitutes service for a person to be able to claim benefits under the conditions of the [glossary:VEA:373].

See Also

About this Part

This Part 1 contains the policy information to assist with making decisions whether a veteran has qualifying service and/or eligible service for payment of pensions and other benefits under the VEA.

Last amended: 2 December 2008

Qualifying service is conceded in the Northern Territory between 19 February 1942 and 12 November 1943 (the dates of the first and last air attacks) for an Australian Defence Force (ADF) member who served in this area for:

Duntroon Cadets

During World War 2 cadets at the Royal Military College (Duntroon) formed a corps, which was part of the permanent defence forces under the Defence Act 1903. Even if they did not graduate and serve elsewhere, they qualify as veterans.

RAN Midshipmen

Boys and young men who were appointed to the RAN as midshipmen were officers from the time of their appointment and qualify as veterans. Because of their age on appointment such veterans could be as young as 12 years old while on eligible war service.

Basic definition

Introduction

This section covers Australian or allied merchant mariners who can claim entitlements under the [glossary:VEA:373]. Australian merchant mariners may be entitled to both [glossary:Disability Compensation Payment:574] and [glossary:service pension:245]. Allied merchant mariners are only entitled to service pension.  Allied mariners include persons and ships from Commonwealth countries.

Reasons for eligibility before three years service

A person who does not complete the period of their engagement in the forces may still be considered as a member of the forces and as having defence service even if they have not completed 3 years of effective full-time service.     

Last amended: Former Coastal Waters Policy – Qualifying Service

The Repatriation Commission decision of 28 June 1965 became known as the “coastal waters policy”.  The coastal waters policy conceded QS for members of the Australian Defence Force if they served in Australian coastal waters within particular dates in specific areas during World War 2.  Although this policy received Cabinet agreement on 7 July 1965, the VEA was never amended to reflect this policy.