If a claim for liability and compensation under the DRCA is made in writing it must be substantially compliant with a form approved by Commission. The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (ETA) provisions apply to the DRCA and requirements for a valid claim can be satisfied where it is lodged by means of electronic communication. The receipt of electronic DRCA claims is not required to be the subject of an instrument (as is the case under the MRCA and VEA) but, as a matter of Commission policy, mirrors that of electronic MRCA claims.
The manner of electronically lodging claims is detailed below and includes;
- Transmission by fax – the MRCA instrument provides a list of fax numbers.
- Transmission via the internet (i.e. MyAccount), and
- Transmission via email – the MRCA instrument provides a list of email addresses
Any supporting material that is required by the DRCA to be lodged in respect of a claim or other document, may be lodged in the same manner as approved by the MRCA instrument for the claim or other document to which it relates. If proof of identity (POI) documents are requested to be lodged in respect of a claim under DRCA, they may be lodged in the same manner as approved by the MRCA instrument for the kind of claim to which they relate. This allows clients to scan certified copies of POI and other documents and provide them as electronic attachments as they do currently thorough MyAccount. The delegate will continue to be required to be satisfied with the authenticity and validity of any e-mail claim they receive, supporting documents and including the POI requirements.
Preferred lodgement channel
MyService is the preferred channel for lodging claims with the Department – as it is a simple and secure way to access services.
There are still a number of claims, such as Permanent Impairment, War Widows and Dependents that are yet to be transitioned into MyService. These claim types will continue to be accepted via alternative channels.
Veterans who are not using an advocate can continue to submit claims via all available channels, however use of MyService as a safe and trustworthy platform is recommended.
For information on how to set up a MyService account, please visit the DVA website at: https://www.dva.gov.au/about-myservice
Claims lodged by advocates on veterans’ behalf
From 31 March 2025, the channel for advocates to lodge a claim will be via MyService. Paper and electronic claim forms submitted by veterans’ advocates from that date will be returned for lodgement via MyService.
Veterans who are not using an advocate can continue to submit claims via all available channels, however use of MyService as a safe and trustworthy platform is recommended.
For more information please visit the DVA website at: www.dva.gov.au/myservice/myservice-advocate-guide.