Most compensation and rehabilitation determinations made on or after 21 April 2025 are subject to a single review pathway. Determinations must be appealed directly to the Veterans’ Review Board (VRB), including DRCA determinations. Subsequent determinations by the VRB can be appealed to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). The Commission continues to have the discretion to initiate a reconsideration of own motion.
Determinations made before 21 April 2025 should be appealed via previous pathways. Claimants can confirm the review pathway relevant to their claim by checking the determination letter. More information is available at dva.gov.au/single-review-pathway or vrb.gov.au
The DVA Rehabilitation Delegate is to ensure that the client is kept informed of the decision to refer them to a Rehabilitation Provider for a rehabilitation assessment, and advise the client of the following:
- the Rehabilitation Provider's details
- the mandatory timeframes for actions:
- 7 day requirement to contact the client; and
- 21 day requirement for the submission of the completed assessment report
- that a formal determination letter will be sent confirming the referral details
- that information about the client’s rehabilitation rights and obligations will be sent with the referral letter
- that as the Rehabilitation Delegate, you are there to assist with communication between the client, the treating medical provider/specialist/s and the Rehabilitation Provider
It is good practice to advise the treating medical provider/specialist that their patient has been referred for a rehabilitation assessment and that they may be contacted to provide medical input for the assessment and possible rehabilitation program development for their patient.
The decision to refer a client to a Rehabilitation Provider, for a rehabilitation assessment is a formal determination and as such is a reviewable decision under section 37 of DRCA, section 51 of MRCA and section 1.3.2 of the VVRS Instrument. Refer to section 13.4 of this library for further information about how a client may request a review of a rehabilitation decision.