Please Note
Legislative changes which commenced on 1 July 2026 have impacted the information contained in this section.
From this date, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) and the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) were closed to new claims and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) became the single Act providing coverage for veterans, regardless of service.
Claims received prior to 1 July 2026 will continue to be considered under the legislation which the claim was submitted.
However, entitlements from 1 July 2026 may vary depending on when the veteran died, when the claim for death was lodged, whether compensation has already been paid in connection with the veteran’s death and whether certain ‘automatic grant’ categories under the VEA apply.
For further information regarding the payment of funeral entitlements, please refer to updates contained in Chapter 7.12 of the MRCA Policy handbook.
This chapter contains information regarding the eligibility and payment of a funeral benefit.
See Also
Funeral Benefits
Chapter 8.1 Income Support Bereavement Payment