Note for CLIK Users
Under changes commencing on 1 July 2026, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) and the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) are being closed to new claims.
From this date, veterans with service-related conditions accepted under the DRCA or VEA will be able to claim for Household Services compensation under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), irrespective of when or where they served, when their injury or illness occurred, or which Act their service-related conditions were previously accepted under.
MRCA veterans
There are no changes for veterans currently eligible for services under the MRCA.
DRCA veterans
Veterans receiving Household Services and/or Attendant Care under the DRCA on 1 July 2026 will continue to receive them (without disruption) for the remainder of the approval period. All approvals after 1 July 2026 will be considered under the MRCA. It will also be possible for individuals to discuss transitioning to the MRCA prior to the conclusion of their current approval period by contacting DVA. While this will not increase supports already approved, it will enable access to the higher weekly statutory rate under the MRCA.
VEA veterans
From 1 July 2026, veterans with service-related conditions under the VEA who are having difficulties managing domestic or personal care tasks because of these conditions will be able to consider lodging a claim for compensation for Household Services or Attendant Care under the MRCA. Previously this compensation was not available for conditions accepted under the VEA.
Veterans Home Care (VHC)
The VHC Program is not impacted by legislative change and will continue to be available to all eligible Gold and White Veteran Card holders. Veterans who are already receiving VHC services, and are happy with them, can continue to access them after 1 July 2026.
However, if veterans choose to claim compensation for Household Services or Attendant Care under the MRCA, existing rules about interactions between VHC and Household Services and Attendant Care under the MRCA will apply. Veterans approved to receive compensation for Household Services under the MRCA can no longer receive Domestic assistance or Home and Garden maintenance from VHC. Similarly, veterans approved to receive compensation for Attendant Care under the MRCA can no longer receive Personal Care from VHC.
Veterans holding a Veteran Gold or White Card can request an assessment for, or continue to access, Respite Care services through VHC. This is because Respite Care services are only available through VHC.
More information is available at Household Services, Attendant Care and Veterans' Home Care | Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Additional guidance regarding the 1 July changes will be provided across the relevant CLIK chapters and sub-chapters.
Also note that information videos covering the 1 July legislative reform changes are available via the following link Information Videos
The policy contained in this manual relates to Household Services and Attendant Care services under both the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA).
Household Services and Attendant Care services are enabled by the compensation provisions in sections 213 to 220 of MRCA and sections 29 and 29A of DRCA. Unless stated in the manual, the policy is equally applicable to both Acts. Where the policy differs, the manual outlines the policy separately under each Act.