From 1 July 2026, all new claims for compensation for Attendant Care services will be assessed under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), irrespective of when or where a veteran served, when the injury or illness occurred, or which Act the service-related conditions were previously accepted under.
From 1 July 2026, veterans with service-related conditions accepted under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) who are having difficulties managing their personal care needs because of these conditions, will be able to claim compensation for Attendant Care services.
From 1 July 2026, veterans with approvals for compensation for Attendant Care services under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) 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. Veterans receiving compensation for Attendant Care at the DRCA weekly statutory limit may request their compensation is transitioned to MRCA prior to the conclusion of their current approval period. This will enable access to the higher weekly statutory limit under MRCA.
New claims for compensation for Attendant Care services
Attendant care services are enabled by the Compensation provisions in Division 3 of Part 7 of Chapter 4 of the MRCA.
Attendant care services are defined as … "services (other than household services, medical or surgical services or nursing care) that are required for the essential and regular personal care of the person.”
The aim of the attendant care services program is to support veterans who are unable to independently undertake regular and essential personal care activities.
Services must be reasonably required due to the impact of a service-related injury or illness for which liability has been accepted.
The types of personal care activities that can be supported through the attendant care services provisions include:
- personal hygiene tasks including showering/bathing and toileting;
- grooming;
- dressing;
- eating and drinking;
- using and applying artificial aids and appliances; and
- transfers (for example, between sitting and standing) where a person has limited mobility.
Attendant care services do not include:
- medical treatment, nursing or clinical care;
- travel or transport;
- accommodation;
- meal costs;
- companionship;
- monitoring or management of behaviour;
- household services or services already provided by another program;
- support to participate in community activities, or access community services, where there is no clear link to a personal care need.
The amount of compensation payable for attendant care services is informed by an assessment of the veteran’s regular and essential personal care needs. It is capped by a legislated statutory limit which is indexed on 1 July each year, by reference to the Consumer Price Index. The current limits can be found on the Attendant Care pages on the DVA website.
Where eligibility criteria are met and an assessment confirms a reasonable requirement for services, attendant care services can be provided to:
- former ADF members;
- current serving ADF members;
- non-Continuous Full Time Services (CFTS) (part-time) Reservists;
- ADF Cadets, Officers of Cadets and Instructors of Cadets.