For any participants in the VVRS prior to 1 July 2026 who is in receipt of compensation payments, at the special rate or intermediate rate or are invalidity service pensioners, will continue to have access to the safety net provisions established under the VVRS.
This means if a veteran currently receives one of the specified compensation payments or pension and has found work through the VVRS, they will not receive less income than they would have received without that employment.
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 covered by participation in the VVRS. After that time, any re-application for invalidity service pension must be assessed according to the eligibility criteria.