motor vehicles

Under section 39(1) of the DRCA, DVA accepts responsibility for the reasonable cost of any repairs or maintenance to an approved modification once the modification to a vehicle owned by a client has been made.

DVA will only pay once for a modification to a particular vehicle.

In practical terms, this means that if the client changes their vehicle in future:

The Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (MRCC) has determined that where it is not feasible for the client’s existing motor vehicle to be modified, funding may be provided for the cost difference between a suitable vehicle (acquired by the client at their own cost) with the option fitted (for example, automatic transmission) and a vehicle of the same or similar model without the option (for example, manual transmission). This may occur where the vehicle is too old, technically unsuitable, not cost effective or not safe to modify.

Where a person’s impairment has not yet stabilised or is not assessed as being permanent, car modifications are not payable under section 39(1)(d) of the DRCA. In these circumstances, consideration may be given to pay compensation of a short term nature until the barriers(s) impacting on the person’s mobility and functioning are addressed, the person’s ongoing level of impairment is known and the potential eligibility for assistance under section 39 can be determined.

A motor vehicle, provided or modified by DVA to a person, can be loaned at any time at that person's discretion, as long as the person using the vehicle adheres to obligations under the MVCS.

If there is a breach of any of the MVCS requirements, the delegate will escalate the case for review.

If the MRCC subsidises the purchase of a motor vehicle for a person, the person is taken to be the legal owner of the motor vehicle. 

An eligible person under the MVCS is a person who has:

• suffered an impairment as a result of an accepted MRCA condition; and