Policy

Medical treatment provided during service

During a person's service, medical treatment is provided for all [glossary:injuries:315] and illnesses at the expense of the Defence Department whether or not such injury or illness is related to service. The treatment that is covered by these provisions is related to conditions that:

Situation where the Commonwealth is not liable to compensate

The Commonwealth is not liable in respect of the death, [glossary:injury:315] or [glossary:disease:603] where it:

• resulted from the member's serious default or wilful act during eligible defence service,    
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How are SoPs made?

The [glossary:Repatriation Medical Authority:640] [glossary:(:][glossary:RMA:640]) decides the [glossary:SoPs:492] after extensive investigations of the medical literature and research available worldwide. They are then gazetted in the Australian Government Gazette and tabled in both Houses of Federal Parliament. They become effective from the date they are signed by the Chairman of the RMA and remain law unless either House of the Australian Parliament disallows them.

Causal relationship of injury or disease to service

For a claim in respect of a death, [glossary:disease:603] or [glossary:injury:315] to be accepted, the death, disease or injury needs to be causally related to the veteran's or member's [glossary:VEA:373] service. Service does not have to be the only cause however, provided that the person's service contributed to a material degree.    

Last amended: 1 July 2008