At 30 JUNE 2014, DVA supported more than 300,000 clients, some through treatment cards (Gold and White Cards) and some through other benefits and services.
VEA beneficiaries have a relatively stable relationship with the Department, which assists with the estimation of future client numbers. The number of VEA beneficiaries is expected to almost halve over the next decade, dropping by 25 per cent by 30 JUNE 2018 and by 41 per cent by 30 JUNE 2023.
In contrast, the number of SRCA and MRCA beneficiaries has been steadily rising. SRCA and MRCA beneficiaries have a more episodic relationship with the Department; for example, they may apply and be assessed for a lump sum payment, be reimbursed for medical costs or come in and out of income replacement.
Detailed statistics about the veteran population are published on the DVA website each quarter at www.dva.gov.au/statistics.htm.
Table 1 shows recent changes in the veteran populations based on eligibility under the different Acts.
AT 30 JUNE 2011 |
AT 30 JUNE 2012 |
AT 30 JUNE 2013 |
AT 30 JUNE 2014 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
VEA | 120,677 | 114,745 | 111,778 | 104,874 |
SRCA | 48,285 | 48,875 | 49,436 | 50,153 |
MRCA | 9,100 | 11,255 | 13,547 | 16,710 |
Table 2 shows the trend in benefit recipient numbers across a range of benefits between 2009–10 and 2013–14.
AT 30 JUNE 2010 |
AT 30 JUNE 2011 |
AT 30 JUNE 2012 |
AT 30 JUNE 2013 |
AT 30 JUNE 2014 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Treatment population | 257,566 | 245,605 | 233,800 | 223,181 | 217,562 |
Gold Card | 207,945 | 196,619 | 185,031 | 174,168 | 163,578 |
White Card | 49,621 | 48,986 | 48,769 | 49,013 | 53,984 |
VEA pension and allowances | |||||
Service pension includes | 179,242 | 167,368 | 156,056 | 145,697 | 136,138 |
veterans | 95,363 | 88,652 | 82,229 | 76,523 | 71,266 |
partners | 83,879 | 78,716 | 73,827 | 69,174 | 64,902 |
Income support supplement | 77,584 | 73,970 | 69,989 | 65,730 | 61,463 |
SSA age pension | 5,167 | 4,779 | 4,412 | 4,121 | 3,833 |
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card | 7,269 | 7,014 | 6,428 | 6,069 | 5,150 |
Disability pension | 122,355 | 116,498 | 110,644 | 105,705 | 101,059 |
War widow(er)’s pension | 101,090 | 96,761 | 91,925 | 86,865 | 81,531 |
POW Recognition1 | N/A | N/A | 816 | 642 | 513 |
Orphan’s pension | 190 | 187 | 179 | 171 | 177 |
Attendant allowance | 777 | 710 | 614 | 528 | 457 |
Rent assistance | 21,520 | 20,091 | 18,801 | 17,639 | 16,804 |
Remote area allowance | 985 | 951 | 902 | 860 | 803 |
Decoration allowance | 538 | 585 | 536 | 472 | 414 |
Recreation transport allowance | 2,277 | 2,008 | 1,745 | 1,502 | 1,262 |
Vehicle assistance scheme | 61 | 64 | 58 | 59 | 53 |
Funeral benefit | 7,857 | 7,623 | 7,230 | 6,561 | 5,720 |
Veterans’ Children Education Scheme | 3,336 | 3,084 | 2,746 | 2,652 | 2,443 |
Clothing allowance | 771 | 709 | 630 | 567 | 511 |
Military compensation payments | |||||
Permanent impairment (SRCA)2 | 10,289 | 10,789 | 11,300 | 11,796 | 12,091 |
Permanent impairment (MRCA)2 | 1,128 | 1,629 | 2,246 | 3,245 | 4,467 |
Incapacity payments (SRCA) | 2,138 | 2,102 | 2,008 | 1,962 | 1,867 |
Incapacity payments (MRCA) | 752 | 914 | 1,142 | 1,547 | 2,062 |
Wholly dependent partner (MRCA)2 | 27 | 43 | 55 | 67 | 73 |
Eligible young person (MRCA)2 | 36 | 45 | 56 | 75 | 85 |
MRCA Education and Training Scheme | 30 | 27 | 47 | 74 | 100 |
Defence Service Homes | |||||
Homes insured | 76,320 | 73,940 | 71,071 | 68,491 | 65,292 |
Housing loan subsidies | 22,913 | 20,329 | 17,700 | 15,237 | 12,799 |
- POW Recognition Supplement is a payment that provides special recognition of surviving former Australian prisoners of war, both veteran and civilian. The payment commenced September 2011.
- Clients who have received a commuted or periodic (MRCA only) payment.
VEA beneficiaries
Table 3 shows the estimated number of surviving veterans, by conflict, over the past five years.
AT 30 JUNE 2010 |
AT 30 JUNE 2011 |
AT 30 JUNE 2012 |
AT 30 JUNE 2013 |
AT 30 JUNE 2014 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Second World War1 | 93,800 | 81,100 | 69,200 | 58,200 | 48,300 |
Korean War, Malayan Emergency and FESR2 | 15,400 | 14,800 | 14,200 | 13,600 | 12,900 |
Vietnam War3 | 48,200 | 47,500 | 46,800 | 46,000 | 45,100 |
Other pre-1972 conflicts | 7,400 | 7,000 | 6,700 | 6,400 | 6,000 |
Cambodia, Gulf War, Namibia, Somalia, Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Bougainville4 | 10,600 | 10,600 | 10,600 | 10,500 | 10,500 |
Post-1999 conflicts5 | 46,400 | 50,000 | 53,600 | 56,000 | 56,500 |
Peacetime Defence Force6 | 156,500 | 155,400 | 154,300 | 153,000 | 151,700 |
British Commonwealth and Allied | 34,000 | 31,500 | 29,000 | 26,700 | 24,400 |
Total7 | 410,500 | 396,300 | 382,800 | 368,800 | 353,900 |
FESR = Far East Strategic Reserve
- Based on nominal roll data.
- Where the veteran has service in more than one conflict, they are recorded by most recent conflict.
- Based on nominal roll data.
- Previously, Rwanda was shown separately and Bougainville was included under post-1999 conflicts.
- Includes East Timor, Solomon Islands, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Bougainville is no longer included. Figures are based on June 2014 Department of Defence data.
- Based on ADF data; those with three or more years of service from 1972 to 1994. Those with peacetime service after 1994 are not included.
- Total includes those potentially eligible for a service pension and/or disability pension. Components will not add exactly to total due to rounding and overlaps.
Table 4 shows clients by age group and location at 30 JUNE 2014. Total DVA clients consist of any person in receipt of a pension/allowance from DVA or who is eligible for treatment or pharmaceuticals paid for by DVA.
NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | TAS | NT | ACT | O’SEAS | TOTAL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Under 25 | 996 | 525 | 1,564 | 252 | 392 | 123 | 87 | 151 | 20 | 4,110 |
25–29 | 910 | 468 | 1,386 | 210 | 366 | 76 | 156 | 116 | 12 | 3,700 |
30–34 | 1,437 | 792 | 1,976 | 332 | 716 | 202 | 239 | 224 | 33 | 5,951 |
35–39 | 1,888 | 980 | 2,594 | 462 | 808 | 211 | 243 | 296 | 49 | 7,531 |
40–44 | 2,549 | 1,405 | 3,648 | 653 | 1,209 | 275 | 338 | 425 | 87 | 10,589 |
45–49 | 2,683 | 1,579 | 3,601 | 698 | 1,283 | 325 | 275 | 482 | 113 | 11,039 |
50–54 | 3,029 | 1,826 | 4,002 | 857 | 1,287 | 387 | 242 | 602 | 127 | 12,359 |
55–59 | 3,399 | 2,044 | 4,370 | 1,046 | 1,475 | 423 | 176 | 547 | 110 | 13,590 |
60–64 | 7,404 | 4,779 | 8,119 | 2,480 | 2,648 | 885 | 187 | 627 | 143 | 27,272 |
65–69 | 13,121 | 8,829 | 13,759 | 4,099 | 4,983 | 1,567 | 272 | 1,005 | 312 | 47,947 |
70–74 | 5,871 | 3,315 | 6,571 | 1,467 | 2,384 | 654 | 118 | 611 | 152 | 21,143 |
75–79 | 6,046 | 3,381 | 5,420 | 1,350 | 2,208 | 570 | 63 | 544 | 137 | 19,719 |
80–84 | 9,615 | 6,178 | 6,420 | 2,323 | 2,835 | 989 | 73 | 559 | 171 | 29,163 |
85–89 | 20,465 | 14,556 | 11,551 | 5,474 | 5,284 | 1,836 | 63 | 780 | 277 | 60,286 |
90 or over | 19,394 | 14,158 | 10,871 | 5,256 | 4,852 | 1,613 | 54 | 734 | 279 | 57,211 |
Total | 98,834 | 64,842 | 85,873 | 26,972 | 32,743 | 10,142 | 2,587 | 7,711 | 2,023 | 331,727 |