Determinations of Warlike Service

Warlike service

A veteran whose service is recognised as warlike service has both qualifying service and operational service.  Accordingly, such a person's service makes them eligible for both service pension and disability compensation payment.

What is warlike service

Warlike service is service of a kind that is determined to be warlike service by the Minister for Defence.

The Minister for Defence recognises service as warlike where a person or unit has been involved in warlike operations.

Incurred Danger

 

The question of ‘what is incurred danger’ has been tested in a number of Federal Court decisions[1]. Following these decisions, DVA holds the view that danger is not incurred by merely perceiving or fearing danger. It is incurred when a person is exposed to, or in peril of, actual physical or mental injury or harm from hostile forces.

Determinations of Non-Warlike Service

Introduction

A veteran whose service is recognised as non-warlike service has operational service.  Accordingly, such a person has service that may make them eligible for disability compensation payment.

Applicability to future conflicts

In all future conflicts in which Australian forces are engaged, the service of those involved will be determined to be either warlike service or non-warlike service by the Minister for Defence.

World War 1 - Qualifying and Operational Service

Qualifying service

World War 1 veterans who served in the [glossary:Australian defence forces:525] have qualifying service if they served:

  • between 4 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 (both dates included), and
  • were engaged in operations against the enemy at a time when they incurred danger from hostile forces of the enemy

It is departmental policy to deem World War 1 vets to have met the criteria to have been engaged in operations against the enemy and incurred danger if they served: