Support for Returned Personnel
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The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provides a comprehensive range of programs, services and benefits to support the needs of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel returning from deployment.
Health care and rehabilitation
For former ADF members who have been wounded or injured through their service, DVA has arrangements in place with service providers in every state and territory to provide health care services, including access to public and private hospitals, local GPs and community nurses.
DVA also assists with travel to treatment providers where local treatment options are unavailable.
Where rehabilitation is required, services may include medical management (eg attendant care, physiotherapy, medical treatment, provision of aids and appliances), psychosocial (eg counselling, household support) and vocational rehabilitation (services to maintain employment, retrain or return to the workforce).
Compensation and income support
Serving or former ADF members who incur service-related injuries or medical conditions have access to a range of compensation payments.
Compensation payments may include disability pension, permanent impairment compensation and/or incapacity payments for lost wages while recovering from an injury or condition.
Former members may also receive means-tested income support payments and other allowances.
Where service-related conditions deteriorate over time, individuals can apply for additional compensation and benefits.
Mental health
DVA provides access to a broad range of mental health support, geared towards early intervention, self support and treatment. This includes online mental health information, smartphone apps, access to treatment by general practitioners, psychologists and psychiatrists, pharmaceuticals, hospital services and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) programs.
DVA can pay for treatment for diagnosed PTSD, anxiety, depression, alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder – whatever the cause. The condition does not have to be related to service. This is available to anyone who has served as a permanent member of the ADF.
Help is also available through the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS). VVCS provides free and confidential, nation-wide counselling and support for war and service-related mental health and wellbeing conditions. For help, to learn more or to check eligibility call 1800 011 046 (24/7) or visit
Support through transition
DVA works closely with Defence to provide a range of services for members leaving the ADF to ensure they and their families are aware of, and have access to, information on DVA services and support when they need it.
Experienced DVA staff service over 35 bases nationally in either a full-time or part-time capacity, refer to the visiting schedule. The On Base Advisors can help ADF serving members and those who have recently separated find out about DVA services.
Further transition support is available through the “Stepping Out” program – a free program for ADF members and their partners to help with the transition process.
more info contact DVA Media
Email:
Phone: +61 (0) 2 6289 6203