Part XI of the DRCA confers responsibility to the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (MRCC) in respect of claims relating to defence service prior to 1 July 2004.

Section 146 of DRCA defines who the rehabilitation authority is in relation to current and former members of the ADF by reference to section 39 of the MRCA. If a person is a full-time serving member, reservist on CFTS or part time reservist and not identified to be medically discharged, then the Chief of the Defence Force is the rehabilitation authority. The MRCC is rehabilitation authority in all other cases including for former members, Cadets and declared members.

Section 146 of DRCA also transfers the responsibility to assist a person find suitable employment under section 40 to the relevant rehabilitation authority.