This section covers Australian or allied merchant mariners who can claim entitlements under the VEA [2]. Australian merchant mariners may be entitled to both Disability Compensation Payment [2] and service pension [2]. Allied merchant mariners are only entitled to service pension. Allied mariners include persons and ships from Commonwealth countries.
Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.
Disability compensation payment (known before 2022 as disability pension), for the purposes of service pension, income support supplement and veteran payment, means:
Please note that the Disability Compensation Payment is legally a pension by way of compensation under the VEA so that concessional benefits under state, territory and local government legislation to pensioners/pensions under the VEA are not denied.
A service pension is an income support payment broadly equivalent to the social security age and disability support pensions. It may be paid once a veteran or partner has reached the nominated age or is incapacitated for work.
VEA ? [4]
Australian merchant mariners can be eligible for benefits under the VEA [2]. Their service must have been during World War 2.
VEA ? [5]
An Australian mariner is a master [2], officer [2], seaman [2] or apprentice [2] who was, during World War 2:
Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.
A master in the context of merchant mariners is a person other than the pilot having command or charge of a merchant ship assisting with the war effort.
An officer in the context of merchant mariners is a master, mate or engineer on a merchant ship assisting with the war effort.
A seaman in the context of merchant mariners is a person employed or engaged in any capacity except masters, pilots, officers and apprentices on a merchant vessel assisting with the war effort.
An apprentice in the context of merchant mariners is a young person indentured to a shipping company for sea service on a merchant ship with a view to becoming a ship's officer.
An allied mariner is a person who:
(b) employed as a pilot; and
Mariners who were employed on ships operated by the enemy [2] or engaged in trading with the enemy are excluded from the definition of an allied mariner and are therefore not entitled to benefits under the VEA.
More ? [14]
An allied mariner detained by the enemy, will have rendered qualifying service.
More ? [15]
An allied mariner has rendered qualifying service if they served in an area that would have entitled them to the award of a campaign medal if they had been a member of a Defence Force and incurred danger from hostile forces of the enemy.
More ? [16]
A master in the context of merchant mariners is a person other than the pilot having command or charge of a merchant ship assisting with the war effort.
An officer in the context of merchant mariners is a master, mate or engineer on a merchant ship assisting with the war effort.
A seaman in the context of merchant mariners is a person employed or engaged in any capacity except masters, pilots, officers and apprentices on a merchant vessel assisting with the war effort.
An apprentice in the context of merchant mariners is a young person indentured to a shipping company for sea service on a merchant ship with a view to becoming a ship's officer.
A Commonwealth country is a country, other than Australia, that is, or was at the relevant time, a part of the Dominions of the Crown.
An allied country is a country, other than Australia or a Commonwealth country, whose forces were engaged in an operational area against an enemy, at the relevant time, which was also engaged against forces of the Commonwealth.
Engaged in providing assistance or support means supplying food, munitions or clothing, or transporting personnel or coal, oil etc.
“enemy means
Links
[1] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16697%23comment-form
[2] https://clik.dva.gov.au/%23
[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16705%23comment-form
[4] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#tgt-cspol_part1_ftn26
[5] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#tgt-cspol_part1_ftn27
[6] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#tgt-cspol_part1_ftn28
[7] https://clik.dva.gov.au/service-eligibility-assistant-updates/all-determinations-order-date-signed-oldest-most-recent/determinations-under-vea
[8] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#ref-cspol_part1_ftn26
[9] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#ref-cspol_part1_ftn27
[10] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-1-service-requirements/12-service-types/121-qualifying-service
[11] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-1-service-requirements/12-service-types/122-service-requirements-disability-compensation-payment
[12] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#ref-cspol_part1_ftn28
[13] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16653%23comment-form
[14] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#tgt-cspol_part1_ftn29
[15] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#tgt-cspol_part1_ftn30
[16] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#tgt-cspol_part1_ftn31
[17] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-1-service-requirements/11-veterans/115-claimants-not-eligible
[18] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#ref-cspol_part1_ftn29
[19] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#ref-cspol_part1_ftn30
[20] https://clik.dva.gov.au/history-library/part-1-military-history/ch-9-east-timor
[21] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16697#ref-cspol_part1_ftn31