WORK IN PROGRESS
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This chapter provides detailed policy guidance and commentary on all aspects of the Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS). The determination of whether a veteran should be assisted under this Scheme, and the type and amount of assistance to be provided, will be based upon the criteria in these guidelines.
The Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme Instrument [3] is the legislative basis for the VVRS.
The Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) is a free and voluntary rehabilitation program that assists eligible veterans to find or retain employment. The assistance provided includes vocational support such as vocational assessments and interview skills training. The Scheme also offers medical management and psychosocial services to address barriers in other parts of a veteran’s life preventing his or her retention of, or return to, employment.
The Scheme can also help make the transition from military to civilian employment for members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and members of peacekeeping forces, who may experience difficulty in obtaining and/or holding civilian employment. This includes those who have been out of the military for some time and who require income support and benefit protection while participating in a vocational rehabilitation scheme.
Veterans who participate in a VVRS program can withdraw from the program at any time including maternity leave or parental leave (see Chapter 13.6 [5]) . There is no penalty incurred for an inability to complete a program under the VVRS.
A veteran wishing to apply for assistance under the Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) should contact their nearest DVA office to obtain an application form.
The Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) Application Form D1000 is also available from DVA Forms [6] on the DVA website.
DVA's VVRS Coordinator is able to answer questions from both staff and potential clients relating to the Scheme and assist with the completion of the application form, if necessary.
The VVRS Coordinator is required to confirm the applicant's eligibility for VVRS assistance under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.
Once the application form is completed and the applicant's eligibility is confirmed, the VVRS Coordinator will refer the veteran to their nearest VVRS contracted service provider, where they will be assigned to a Rehabilitation Case Manager. The VVRS contracted service provider is engaged by DVA to manage the rehabilitation process for the Department. The VVRS contracted Case Manager will undertake a full rehabilitation assessment which will identify the client's vocational, psychosocial and medical management needs.
Veterans who are dissatisfied with a decision relating to their participation in the Scheme can have the decision reviewed under legislative review provisions (found in Chapter 5 of the VVRS Instrument [3]).
Appeals by veterans relating to decisions on the VVRS can be taken before the Repatriation Commission. Veterans not satisfied with a Commission decision can appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
This topic relates to section 1.2 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
The objective of the Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) is to support veterans to find or retain employment through the provision of a comprehensive range of vocational, psychosocial and medical management services.
When the VVRS was implemented, any disincentives to rehabilitation for veterans in receipt of the special or intermediate rate disability compensation payment, or invalidity service pension were considered; and a financial safety net system was created for this veteran group. From 20 March 2016, the financial safety net was further improved to provide an added financial incentive for this veteran group to engage with the VVRS and the workforce.
Some veterans have multiple entitlements to rehabilitation services under the VEA [8], DRCA [9] and/or MRCA [10].
Veterans cannot receive VVRS services concurrently with services from other rehabilitation programs. Also, if a client has eligible service under the VEA and has submitted a claim under the DRCA or MRCA, a program could be commenced under the VVRS and then transferred to a DRCA or MRCA rehabilitation program, if appropriate, when the client's claim has been accepted, e.g. if they commence receiving incapacity payments. Veterans should be provided with information that will ensure they are able to make an informed choice between rehabilitation offered under each of these Acts. For VVRS transfers to MRCA, see the discussion at section 2.5 [11] of this manual.
Veterans who have received vocational rehabilitation through the DRCA or MRCA are not precluded from participating in the VVRS, but must meet the criteria for the VVRS. If a veteran has been unsuccessful in achieving a vocational outcome through a DRCA or MRCA rehabilitation program, an application for assistance through the VVRS would need to be particularly closely evaluated.
Once DVA has established that an applicant for the VVRS is a veteran, the DVA action officer will check to see if the veteran is a client under the DRCA or MRCA. If they are, the DVA VVRS Coordinator will determine which Act they would be best placed to receive rehabilitation services under, based on various issues such as incapacity payments and level of disability compensation payment. In making this decision, the DVA VVRS Coordinator will keep the client informed of the relevant issues and advise them of their most beneficial option for accessing rehabilitation services.
The VVRS does not remove the normal obligations people have to protect their employment, for example, keeping themselves up to date in their field of employment. Many employees have rights and access to grievance procedures, occupational health and safety mechanisms and internal counselling services. These should be used by veterans where possible, although VVRS assistance may be provided where these avenues prove unsuitable. Unsuccessful attempts to utilise these services may require the Rehabilitation Service Provider to act in an advocacy role to ensure that veterans receive the services to which they are entitled.
The Scheme is open to veterans of all ages.
This topic relates to section 1.3 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Income protection under the Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) pertains to veterans who have pensions payable under sections 23 and 24.
There are two scenarios in which the reduction formula should be applied:
a) where the veteran is offered a job without provider assistance but needs to apply to the VVRS to avoid section 31(6A-6B) of the VEA [8] being served (ie termination of pension) or
b) where the veteran obtains employment as a result of participating in a VVRS program.
A medical management service is an adjunct to medical treatment and is designed to monitor a person’s medical treatment with the aim of restoring or maximising the person’s physical or psychological function.
Examples of medical management services include, but are not limited to, coordination of medical providers to establish a treatment program and intensive case management to facilitate regular attendance at medical appointments.
A psychosocial service means a rehabilitative, skill-building or recovery-oriented service that aims to restore a person to his or her optimal level of independent functioning within the community.
Further information can be found in Chapter 12.4 ‘Psychosocial rehabilitation under the VVRS’ [13].
“Suitable paid employment outcome” means employment in a job (full-time, part-time, casual, self-employment, traineeship or apprenticeship for weekly hours that meet the relevant industry standard for that occupation and that are appropriate to the veteran's circumstances and the veteran's reasonable requirements) at award rates. If the casual hours in an industry or occupation were below 8 hours per week, in the absence of special circumstances (for instance such as a very high probability of this leading to a substantial improvement of long term employment prospects) this would not be regarded as an employment outcome.
Suitable paid employment is employment that the veteran can sustain in the long term and which is not likely to worsen the veteran's health. A suitable paid employment outcome may not necessarily be the best or only job to which a veteran may aspire. For instance, a long distance truck driver whose health is being seriously affected by the job, and wishes to undertake university studies to obtain employment in the computer industry, might be assisted in obtaining employment as a storeman, while undertaking part-time study to pursue his ultimate goal of employment in the computer industry at his own expense.
The VVRS is only open to veterans as defined in section 1.3.1 of the VVRS Instrument [3]. Services cannot be provided to a person who is not a veteran, for instance a war widow or the child of a veteran.
Eligibility for the Scheme is not restricted to veterans who are receiving pensions and health treatment at DVA's expense. Also, whilst it is expected that many applicants will have a physical or mental disability, eligibility for the Scheme is not dependent on the existence of a disability. VVRS eligibility is determined by the assessed likelihood of vocational rehabilitation assistance leading to an outcome of suitable paid employment and that such assistance is considered to be a cost-effective intervention.
Most people with eligible service under the VEA [8] can apply for assistance under the VVRS. This includes the following types of service:
Commonwealth veterans, allied veterans or allied mariners in receipt of invalidity service pension can also apply to the VVRS for assistance.
If there is any doubt whatsoever about eligibility, a check must be made with a claims assessor to verify the person's eligibility before the application is referred to a Rehabilitation Service Provider. For an experienced person, this should be able to be verified within minutes by an examination of the service records.
Some applicants receiving assistance under the VVRS may have received assistance under ADF resettlement or transition programs. Recently discharged veterans who have been through the Career Transition Assistance Scheme (formerly the Defence Career Transition or ADF Resettlement Program) are not disbarred from participating if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Unless an official VVRS application is completed and submitted to the VVRS Coordinator by a veteran, a VVRS application will be deemed not to have occurred.
This topic relates to section 1.4 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
VVRS rehabilitation services are provided on the basis of assessed need and are subject to the likelihood of a veteran obtaining suitable and sustainable employment. Applicants are required by legislation to undergo an initial assessment before any assistance is provided under the Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS).
Applicants are referred to a Rehabilitation Service Provider where they will be assigned to a Case Manager who will undertake an assessment to ascertain whether a VVRS program is likely to assist the veteran to obtain suitable and sustainable employment. Liaison with the veteran's Local Medical Officer, psychiatrist/counsellor or other allied health professional may be undertaken as part of the assessment process. The Case Manager will prepare an Assessment Report which will be forwarded to the DVA VVRS Coordinator.
If the Case Manager recommends that the veteran be accepted on the VVRS, a Rehabilitation Plan setting out assistance to be provided through the VVRS will be prepared by the Case Manager in consultation with the veteran. The Rehabilitation Plan will be forwarded to the DVA VVRS Coordinator for approval.
The Rehabilitation Plan may incorporate a Vocational Assessment to identify suitable employment options. If appropriate, a Functional Capacity Evaluation to be undertaken by an Occupational Therapist may also be included in the Rehabilitation Plan to determine a veteran's physical capacity to perform certain vocational tasks.
Copies of the initial Assessment Report, Vocational Assessment Report and Functional Capacity Evaluation Report can be provided to the veteran if requested.
Where a veteran is assessed as unsuitable and unlikely to obtain a suitable vocational outcome they will not be approved for assistance under the VVRS. However, should the veteran's condition or circumstances change in the future, they can reapply for assistance under the Scheme.
Where a veteran fails to complete or participate in the rehabilitation process from the initial application stage through to the rehabilitation program approval process ie complete the initial assessment, the veteran is to be deemed as a non-participant for program purposes. Veterans wishing to be considered for rehabilitation are obliged to comply with the initial assessment request.
If a veteran requests a copy of the Assessment Report, Vocational Assessment Report or Functional Capacity Evaluation Report from DVA or its contracted service provider for the VVRS, a copy of the relevant report will be provided to the veteran by the organisation which receives the request.
A veteran who is assessed at the first meeting with the Rehabilitation Service Provider as being unlikely to obtain a suitable vocational outcome through participation on the VVRS should have VVRS services terminated at that point.
The report to the VVRS Coordinator will specify the reasons for the recommendation and recommend other services that the veteran may access, if this is appropriate, e.g. Open Arms [14].
Once the recommendation is endorsed by the VVRS Coordinator, the veteran will be advised in writing of the decision. This will be done by DVA and will include advice of the veteran's right to a review of the decision (in accordance with clause 5.1 of the VVRS Instrument [3]). The Rehabilitation Service Provider will speak to the veteran and discuss other services that may be appropriate, e.g. counselling from the Open Arms [15].
The above would not prevent the veteran from obtaining assistance later if the veteran's condition or circumstances permitted.
Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling provides counselling and group programs to Australian veterans and peacekeepers and their families. It is a specialised, free and confidential Australia-wide service.
Open Arms staff are professionally qualified psychologists or social workers with experience in working with veterans and peacekeepers and their families. They can provide a wide range of programs and treatments for war and service-related mental health conditions including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The following people can use Open Arms:
This topic relates to section 1.5 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) services are to be in accordance with an approved plan.
Section 1.5.4 of the VVRS Instrument [3] states: "Before any service can be provided to a veteran under this Scheme, that service must be in accordance with an approved plan."
A VVRS service provider should not undertake any rehabilitation program activity without prior approval by the Commission.
This topic relates to section 2.1 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Certain veterans who are in receipt of:
may participate in a vocational rehabilitation program under this Scheme.
Chapter 2 in the VVRS Instrument [3] provides the rules for participation in the VVRS and the criteria by which applications and proposed vocational rehabilitation programs are to be assessed.
If a veteran currently receives a DVA pension and finds work through the VVRS, they will not receive less income than they would have received without that employment. The safety net only applies to veterans being paid disability compensation payments at the special rate (T&PI), intermediate rate and/or the invalidity service pension. This protection is provided by legislation in section 115D and section 115G of the VEA [8].
Special and intermediate rate disability compensation payments are paid because of an inability to work and will be affected if a veteran finds paid employment through participation in the VVRS. A veteran in receipt of an intermediate rate disability compensation payment will be gradually reduced over a seven-year period to one hundred per cent of the general rate. A veteran in receipt of disability compensation payment at the special rate, who is working between 8-20 hours per week, will be gradually reduced over a seven year period to one hundred percent of the intermediate rate. However, the special or intermediate rate status and all ancillary benefits are retained.
The invalidity service pension is subject to income and asset tests. However, for participants on the VVRS, fifty per cent of gross employment earnings is held in the income test for the first two years. Over the following five years there is a gradual increase until one hundred per cent of employment earnings is held in the income test.
Veterans withdrawing from the workforce for any reason, including normal retirement, will return to the rate of disability compensation payment applicable prior to participation in the VVRS. Special or intermediate rate disability compensation payments will be restored.
Eligibility for the invalidity service pension will be retained for seven years while participating in the VVRS. After that time, any re-application for invalidity service pension must be assessed according to the eligibility criteria.
This topic relates to section 2.2 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Section 2.2.2 in the VVRS Instrument [3] should be considered in its entirety before final approval is given. Approval should be based on responses to each of the items listed under section 2.2.2 and a final decision made on the total responses provided, not on isolated items from the list.
The appropriate time-period for a veteran to achieve 'a suitable paid employment outcome' will need to be based on the individual's circumstances. A veteran may achieve a suitable employment outcome relatively quickly through a program that focuses on vocational rehabilitation. Another may require a psychosocial intervention to prepare them for vocational rehabilitation, before finding suitable paid employment. Each veteran’s rehabilitation program, and rehabilitation journey, will be different.
Once a veteran has achieved a suitable paid employment outcome, it is crucial that their employment is continually monitored for an appropriate period as part of the rehabilitation program.
This issue will need to be dealt with and catered for during the assessment process, unless circumstances occur which are beyond the capacity of the Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) to predict or control.
Section 2.2.5 of the VVRS Instrument [3] allows psychosocial and medical management services to be approved as part of a vocational rehabilitation program if the services are reasonably required to:
a) assist the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment; or
b) address an identified rehabilitation barrier as part of the process of assisting the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment.
Further information can be found in Chapter 12.4 ‘Psychosocial rehabilitation under the VVRS’ [13].
This topic relates to section 2.3 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Grounds for cessation of a veteran's participation in the Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) may include continually failing to attend appointments with Rehabilitation Service Providers.
If the Rehabilitation Service Provider is to recommend to the VVRS Coordinator to determine that a veteran is no longer participating in, or undertaking, a vocational program because:
the Rehabilitation Service Provider will prepare a recommendation to the VVRS Coordinator giving reasons for the termination or non acceptance onto the Scheme.
A veteran who obtains work through the VVRS, although no longer receiving rehabilitation services, will be regarded as being on a program as long as they are working. Consequently, procedures will need to be clear so that there is a defined decision date by decision makers that is recorded for pension protection purposes. (A case to be “closed” for the purposes of a rehabilitation program, but a veteran may continue to be covered by the pension protection provisions.)
This topic relates to section 3.1 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Certain veterans - who are not in receipt of disability compensation payment at the special or intermediate rate, or invalidity service pension - may participate in a Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) rehabilitation program, whether they are in receipt of a pension or not.
VVRS rehabilitation programs under Chapter 3 in the VVRS Instrument [3] may assist veterans:
It provides the rules for their participation and the criteria by which applications and programs are assessed.
Note: Personnel who are separating from the ADF but who do not have eligibility as a veteran (i.e. as per s115A of the VEA [8]) are not entitled to VVRS assistance. Therefore, ADF personnel requesting services from the VVRS should have their eligibility checked accordingly.
This topic relates to section 3.2 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
The VVRS provides assistance to veterans who require it to retain employment that is at risk. The Scheme is not intended to remove the normal obligations people have to keep themselves up to date in their field of employment.
Where a veteran is having difficulty at work, he or she should be advised to attempt to resolve the difficulties through the mechanisms that exist in their workplace. For example, many employees have rights, and access, to grievance procedures, occupational health and safety mechanisms or internal counselling services. Veterans should utilise these in the first instance. Unsuccessful attempts to utilise these services may require the Rehabilitation Service Provider to act in an advocacy role to ensure that veterans receive the services to which they are entitled. The VVRS is not intended to duplicate other services to which veterans are entitled.
As VAN and VVCS staff will generally be the first point of contact with veterans who are having difficulties as a result of their employment, they are expected to explore the options available to the veteran prior to discussing assistance through the VVRS.
A veteran feels vulnerable in his job in a competitive environment. He won the job from a large number of other applicants only through purchasing expensive new text books and as a result of doing his own study over many years. He is seeking assistance to undertake training to keep up-to-date to retain his job.
In approaching this case, an assessment would be needed that the veteran's continued employment is at risk.
If the Rehabilitation Service Provider determines that the veteran's employment is at risk, an assessment will be needed to identify assistance which could usefully be provided. For instance, the veteran may need assistance in dealing with the effects of the stress of the situation. Other options for assistance could include assistance with training. It may be possible to make this assessment at the same time as the assessment of the security of employment.
If assistance with training costs is being examined as an option, factors to be considered include:
** Be aware that there is a difference between 'maintaining credentials as part of day to day work requirements' and the need to 'retrain due to a new rule change'.
Examples of the difference between 'maintaining credentials as part of day to day work requirements' and the need to 'retrain due to a new rule change' are:
Scenario (1.) is an example of a 'requirement to maintain credentials', while scenario (2.) is an example of an 'unexpected rule change'.
Examples of items generally not included in an approved program:
Medical management and psychosocial services may be included in a rehabilitation program under s3.2.2A if the services are reasonably required to:
a) assist the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment; or
b) address an identified rehabilitation barrier as part of the process of assisting the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment.
Further information can be found in 12.4 ‘Psychosocial rehabilitation’ [13].
Grounds for cessation of a veteran's participation in the VVRS may include continually failing to attend appointments with Rehabilitation Service Providers.
If the Rehabilitation Service Provider is to recommend to the VVRS Coordinator to determine that a veteran is no longer participating in, or undertaking, a vocational program because:
the Rehabilitation Service Provider will prepare a recommendation to the VVRS Coordinator giving reasons for the termination or non-acceptance onto the Scheme.
This topic relates to sections 2.2.4 and 3.2.2A of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Under section 1.3 of the VVRS Instrument [3], a psychosocial service is defined as a rehabilitative, skill-building or recovery-oriented service that aims to restore a person to his or her optimal level of independent functioning within the community.
A psychosocial service may be included in a vocational rehabilitation program (s2.2.5) or a rehabilitation program (s3.2.2A) if the services are reasonably required to:
a) assist the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment; or
b) address an identified rehabilitation barrier as part of the process of assisting the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment.
A service will be considered psychosocial in nature if it is likely to make objective* and subjective** progress towards a psychosocial goal, in the wider context of achieving a suitable paid employment outcome for the individual.
*Objective progress refers to an assessment of a VVRS delegate, taking into account the advice from a rehabilitation provider.
**Subjective progress refers to the perception of a VVRS participant.
Goals may include, but are not limited to:
An activity is not likely to be reasonable if:
Psychosocial Goals | Services |
---|---|
Self-management of the individual’s injury or disease |
|
Increased and improved social interaction and community inclusion |
|
Meaningful engagement |
|
Management of a changed sense-of-self and emotions from living with a long term illness or injury |
|
Improved living conditions |
|
If a gymnasium or pool membership is assessed as an appropriate intervention under s2.2.4 or s3.2.2A this activity may be approved as a one-time activity for a maximum three month period. This policy reflects the DRCA/MRCA policy on gymnasium and pool members in Chapter 5.4.1 [25] of this library.
A psychosocial service may include the hiring of necessary and reasonable equipment to enable the individual to undertake the authorised activity.
This topic relates to section 4.1 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Veterans participating in an approved program may receive other assistance under this Scheme. Chapter 4 in the VVRS Instrument [3] provides the rules for such other assistance and the criteria by which applications for assistance are assessed.
As with all assistance provided under the VVRS, cost effectiveness is a key consideration in determining the type and amount of assistance provided to a veteran in that chapter.
Distance education is to be used for veterans living in remote areas in preference to relocating the veterans closer to educational services. Tools such as telecommuting, i.e. using a personal computer to interact with teaching institutions, may be used if appropriate.
The range of VVRS general assistance or services may include:
This topic relates to section 4.2 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Note: This assistance is only available to the veteran.
Accommodation assistance will generally only be available to veterans in rural and remote areas who need to travel to another population centre while undertaking vocational rehabilitation or for the purposes of assessments or meetings with Rehabilitation Service Providers associated with participation in the VVRS.
While transport costs involved in travel to and from a job interview are not generally covered by the VVRS, it can be considered under special circumstances (4.2.1 of the Instrument). For example, the only job interview a veteran has been able to secure is hundreds of kilometres from where he/she resides. The travel and accommodation costs may be covered under the VVRS to support the aim of securing suitable employment.
Special circumstances could also include:
As a general rule, participants in the VVRS would be expected to pay their own transport and parking costs where such costs would not exceed those normally incurred. The Scheme would generally not provide assistance for a veteran to travel within metropolitan areas. However, should a claim be made on financial hardship grounds, the veteran will need to demonstrate to the VVRS Coordinator that failure to provide assistance in these items would result in a substantial financial hardship that would jeopardise the achievement of a suitable vocational outcome. Full financial statements of family income would be required to justify this claim.
The amount that may be reimbursed is the current Repatriation Transport Scheme (RTS) rate [29] provided for the use of a private vehicle or public transport.
Consideration may be given to assistance with parking fees for veterans who are unable to use public transport because of their disabilities, and who are required to incur parking fees while undertaking an approved program (see 1.3.2 and 1.3.3 in the VVRS Instrument [3]).
Further information is available at Claim Travel Expenses [29] on the DVA website.
These allowances are for specific circumstances and not for normal expenses incurred in obtaining and maintaining employment.
This topic relates to section 4.3 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
The Rehabilitation Service Provider will be expected to explore opportunities within the workplace for the employer to provide aids, appliances and workplace modifications before making a recommendation for these to be provided under the VVRS. This could involve a cost sharing arrangement with an employer.
The provision of the grant must adhere to the cost effectiveness for the VVRS.
Veterans on the VVRS can utilise the Department's Rehabilitation Aids and Appliances Program (RAP) where they are eligible to do so. Use of this area is not restricted to the purchase of equipment but also extends to the maintenance of aids and appliances. However, if they can be provided under a rehabilitation program, then RAP services should not be sought. If the aid or appliance required to achieve a successful employment outcome is of a significant cost, the decision to provide those products should be referred to the Rehabilitation Policy Section via rehabilitation@dva.gov.au [2]
The provision of the grant must adhere to the principles of cost effectiveness for the Scheme.
Reports provided must be provided in writing and be of sufficient detail and quality to allow the VVRS Coordinator to make an informed decision.
The nature of Australian employment has changed since previous schemes to provide employment related assistance to veterans. It is now common practice that employers provide tools for their employees.
The VVRS does not provide funding for business loans, tools of trade or equipment needed to establish a business such as computers and associated hardware or software for use in the workplace.
The VVRS will provide assistance for business related training, for example business management or particular technical expertise. Any approval for assistance is subject to a thorough assessment indicating:
This topic relates to section 4.4 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Assisting veterans to obtain recognition of prior learning through recognised educational institutions is an avenue of assistance that can be explored and, if appropriate, funded under the VVRS for those with skills that could be transferred to civilian employment.
Assistance can be provided to a veteran to undertake a course of tertiary study if, after a full assessment of the veteran's capabilities, it has been determined that it is the best option to result in a suitable vocational outcome. A decision to support tertiary study should be made after consideration has been given to the cost and length of the course of study in relation to the expected outcome of that training. The VVRS does not provide for the provision of post-graduate studies to veterans. In some exceptional circumstances it may be appropriate to assist a veteran to upgrade qualifications to undergraduate level.
As a general rule, the funding of educational courses veterans have already commenced is not covered under the VVRS. Veterans who have already made decisions about their choice of a suitable employment outcome and have commenced a course of study to achieve that aim should be expected to complete that course at their own expense. The only exception to this would be a veteran who is part way through studies but the veteran's circumstances have changed substantially so that the veteran is unable to complete the course without assistance under the VVRS, and this educational assistance would be judged by the VVRS Coordinator as the most cost effective manner of achieving a suitable employment outcome.
Assistance under this section would be subject to the veteran satisfying the VVRS Coordinator that he or she has the capacity to complete the education program successfully and achieve a sustainable employment outcome. This would normally require that the veteran demonstrate evidence of ability to study, achieve results and secure employment
Grants will be subject to presentation of receipts.
Veterans should be advised not to anticipate assistance with educational costs unless these are part of a DVA approved rehabilitation program.
Grants will be subject to presentation of receipts or invoices from the educational institution.
Veterans should be advised not to anticipate assistance with educational costs unless these are part of a DVA approved rehabilitation program.
Payments under this sub-section will only be made under exceptional circumstances, such as serious financial hardship, and will be at the discretion of the VVRS Coordinator. Veterans should be advised not to anticipate that they will receive grants in excess of $500.
Grants will be subject to presentation of receipts or invoices from the educational institution.
If veterans are studying as part of an approved program, it is not intended that they would automatically receive assistance to purchase all the books recommended for their course. It is often not a good use of money to purchase books that may only be used for a single semester, and are then going to sit on the students' shelves unopened.
Veterans should be encouraged to use the same facilities as other students as far as practicable, viz. the library and computing facilities of educational institutions. Some of these facilities are available to people who are not students of a particular institution. For instance, members of the public may use the books at the libraries of some educational institutions such as universities without charge. However, they would not normally be able to borrow books. Arrangements can be made with some institutions for borrowing rights, at a fee, for non-students.
Assistance with other fees such as those associated with computer hire could potentially be made within the provisions of section 4.4.2 in the VVRS Instrument [3].
Veterans will be required to provide the VVRS Coordinator with evidence of their HELP (formerly known as Higher Education Contribution Scheme - HECS) obligation in adequate time to allow payment to be made within the discount period. The veteran will be required to provide the VVRS Coordinator with evidence of timely payment. The veteran may request DVA to pay the account directly to the educational institution.
In all cases, the help payment will not exceed the discounted rate.
Factors which the VVRS Coordinator will consider are overall academic performance, application of the student, circumstances outside the veteran's control that may contribute to failure, and the likelihood of the veteran making acceptable progress with the course of study.
Grants will be subject to presentation of receipts or invoices from the educational institution.
This topic relates to section 4.5 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
A grant recipient may be required to provide documents, receipts or invoices to show that the grant has been applied to the purpose for which it was granted.
This topic relates to section 5.1 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Veterans are to be notified of decisions of the Commission under the VVRS and if they are dissatisfied with any such decisions they may have them reviewed.
This topic relates to section 5.2 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Chapter 5 of the VVRS Instrument sets out the review rights.
Information on review options for VVRS clients are also located at CLIK Chapter 13.5 Non-compliance and review mechanisms for VVRS. [36]
This topic relates to section 5.3 of the VVRS Instrument [3].
Chapter 5 of the VVRS Instrument sets out the review rights.
Links
[1] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21076%23comment-form
[2] mailto:rehabilitation@dva.gov.au
[3] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/F2015L01263
[4] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21074%23comment-form
[5] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/13-rights-and-obligations/136-maternity-leave-andor-parental-leave-rehabilitation-clients
[6] https://www.dva.gov.au/get-support/find-forms
[7] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21077%23comment-form
[8] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A03268
[9] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C1988A00156
[10] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A01285
[11] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/2-legislative-provisions/25-what-are-some-key-differences-between-rehabilitation-under-vvrs-drca-mrca
[12] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21060%23comment-form
[13] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/12-veterans-vocational-rehabilitation-scheme-guidelines/124-psychosocial-rehabilitation-under-vvrs
[14] https://www.openarms.gov.au/
[15] https://clik.dva.gov.au/%23
[16] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21078%23comment-form
[17] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21068%23comment-form
[18] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21082%23comment-form
[19] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21071%23comment-form
[20] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21062%23comment-form
[21] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21066%23comment-form
[22] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21075%23comment-form
[23] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21063%23comment-form
[24] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/80059%23comment-form
[25] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/5-medical-management-rehabilitation/54-other-types-medical-treatment-support/541-gymnasium-pool-membership-therapeutic-exercise-programs
[26] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21064%23comment-form
[27] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21081%23comment-form
[28] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21073%23comment-form
[29] https://www.dva.gov.au/get-support/health-support/local-or-overseas-medical-care/claim-travel-expenses-under-rts
[30] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21070%23comment-form
[31] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21061%23comment-form
[32] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21067%23comment-form
[33] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21072%23comment-form
[34] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21059%23comment-form
[35] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21065%23comment-form
[36] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/13-rights-and-obligations/135-non-compliance-and-review-mechanisms-vvrs
[37] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21069%23comment-form