Prior to 1 July 2026, compensation for household services was provided for in Division 3 of Part 7 of Chapter 4 of the MRCA and section 29 of the DRCA.
Section 214 of the MRCA and subsection 29(1) of the DRCA provide that the Commonwealth will meet the cost of household services provided they are reasonably required by a veteran as a result of a service injury or disease for which liability has been accepted. The level of compensation and type of services approved are based on an individual assessment of the veteran’s needs.
A weekly statutory limit applies for household services. This amount can be found on the DVA website. This limit is indexed on 1 July each year by reference to the Consumer Price Index.
Delegates may only approve compensation above the weekly statutory limit if the client is determined to meet the criteria for a Catastrophic Injury Determination. In this case, services may be provided to meet the client’s assessed needs without reference to the statutory weekly limit.
Household services may be available to current and former ADF members, including part time Reservists, ADF Cadets, Officers of Cadets and Instructors of Cadets. Further information about household services for serving members can be found in section 1.1.3 in this library.
From 1 July 2026, all new claims for compensation for Household Services will be considered and determined under the MRCA only. This applies regardless of when or where the veteran served, when their injury or illness occurred, or which Act their service-related conditions were previously accepted under.
From 1 July 2026, veterans with approvals for compensation for Household Services through DRCA section 29 will continue to receive all of their approved services, without interruption, under grandparenting arrangements. Compensation payments will continue until the review/renewal date identified in their determination letter. At this point, compensation will be reviewed and approved under the MRCA.