The operative provisions of the MRCA commenced on 1 July 2004. The MRCA is prospective in operation and only applies to service rendered on or after the commencement day of 1 July 2004. However, the provisions of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004 (CTPA), mean that defence service before, and on or after 1 July 2004 can, where applicable, also be included in considering liability under the MRCA.
The VEA was not repealed as a consequence of the passage of the MRCA. This means that veterans (as defined in the VEA) with compensation coverage under the MRCA may be eligible for certain other benefits that continue under the VEA, such as the service pension or treatment for malignant neoplasia or post traumatic stress disorder. It also means that people with compensation coverage under the VEA continue to be covered under the VEA for eligible service before 1 July 2004, subject to the provisions of the CTPA.
Persons with compensation coverage under the DRCA continue to be covered by that Act for service before 1 July 2004, subject to the provisions of the CTPA.