Changes for allied health from July 2027

Consultation is now open. Review the allied health discussion paper and submit your feedback through the Allied Health Consultations submission portal. Consultation closes on 30 October 2026.

Related resources:

• Allied health changes — FAQs
• Allied health factsheet

The Australian Government handed down the 2026-27 Federal Budget on 12 May 2026, including further investment in the veteran support system to deliver on recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Government will invest $5.7 billion in 2026-27 to support the health, wellbeing and care of eligible veterans and their dependants.

The Australian Government is investing $169.7 million to strengthen Veteran Card holders’ access to allied health services. This is the largest investment in veteran allied health provider fees in more than two decades and responds directly to Recommendation 71 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which called for increases to DVA fee schedules to improve access to care.

A new annual $5,000 review threshold will also be introduced to make sure Veteran Card holders receiving higher levels of allied health care continue to receive treatment that is appropriate and effective. Veteran Card holders who require more than $5,000 in allied health care each year will still be able to receive clinically necessary treatment.

Consultation is now open on the new allied health arrangements for Veteran Card holders, which will come into effect from 1 July 2027. Veterans, families of veterans, allied health providers, peak bodies, ex-service organisations and other stakeholders are invited to review the discussion paper, get involved in a consultation session or submit feedback. Consultation closes on 30 October 2026.

What is changing for allied health services?

From 1 July 2027:

• Fees paid to allied health providers will increase from 1 July 2027, supported by the Government’s $169.7 million investment to strengthen access to allied health care for Veteran Card holders.
• The current 12-session treatment cycle will be removed. Veteran Card holders will still need an initial GP referral but will no longer need GP referrals after every 12 sessions to access allied health care.
• A $5,000 annual threshold for reviewing treatment will be introduced for allied health services.
• Veteran Card holders who need more than $5,000 in allied health care each year will still be able to receive clinically necessary treatment. Veterans approaching the threshold will have their treatment reviewed with their health care team and can continue accessing treatment while DVA considers any request for additional care.
• The threshold will not apply to Veteran Card holders eligible for the Special Rate Disability Pension or Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Pension, or those who have been determined to be catastrophically injured.

These changes aim to make it easier to access care, reduce unnecessary approvals, and improve the veteran support system.
Fee increases apply to chiropractic, diabetes education, dietetics, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, orthotist, osteopathy, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology, social work, and speech therapy services. 

The changes do not apply to medical services, including GP or specialist services such as psychiatry, or to dental, optical or hearing services.

Psychology and counselling services delivered through Open Arms are not impacted by these changes and do not count towards the $5,000 annual threshold.

This new threshold only applies to allied health. Information about the other supports available from General Practitioners and Specialists can be found on the DVA website.

Why is the Government making these changes?

The changes respond to:

• Recommendation 71 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which called for increases to DVA fee schedules to improve access to care
• feedback that current provider fees can affect access to allied health services
• the need to reduce repeat referrals and administrative burden for Veteran Card holders, GPs and allied health providers
• the need to strengthen system integrity while recognising that most providers deliver care appropriately and in line with veterans’ clinical needs.

The new approach will:

• improve access to allied health providers
• support access to clinically required treatment
• support a sustainable, fair and clinically appropriate system for Veteran Card holders, providers and government.

What happens if I need more support?

If your care needs go above the $5,000 annual threshold, DVA will fund additional services where there is a demonstrated clinical need. 

DVA is working to make the process simple and to ensure requests for additional care can be considered quickly. Veteran Card holders will be able to continue accessing treatment while DVA considers any request for additional care, so there is no unnecessary interruption to treatment.

This ensures veterans are not disadvantaged if they require higher levels of clinical care.

The changes start on 1 July 2027. Feedback from consultation will help inform the final design of the process, supporting guidance, provider notes and communication products before the arrangements start on 1 July 2027.

The intent is to support people to access the clinical treatment they need, while supporting clinically effective treatment and reducing unnecessary or inappropriate services.

How will this affect veterans and families?

For many Veteran Card holders and families, the main change will be less administration after the treatment cycle is removed.

• Based on allied health service usage in 2024–25, the median annual allied health expenditure was around $1,900 per Veteran Card holder. After the planned increase in provider fees, this is expected to be around $2,600. 
• Access to allied health services will continue, with less administration following the removal of the current treatment cycle arrangements. Providers will still be expected to follow best practice communication with other members of the treating team.
• Higher provider fees are expected to mean more providers are willing to see veteran patients and better access to care.
• MyService will be updated so Veteran Card holders can see allied health expenditure and services billed against their Veteran Card in near real time.

For those with higher or more complex needs:

• There will be pathways to request additional allied health services where there is a clinical need, including for Veteran Card holders with higher, complex or ongoing care needs.

What support will still be available?

Veterans and families will continue to be supported.

• Veterans can still access the clinically necessary allied health treatment they need.
• DVA will continue to fund allied health care above the $5,000 annual threshold where there is a demonstrated clinical need.
• The threshold will not apply to Veteran Card holders eligible for the Special Rate Disability Pension or Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Pension, or those who have been determined to be catastrophically injured.
• The Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT) program will continue to support veterans awaiting claim decisions.
• Existing programs such as Non-Liability Health Care and treatment arrangements remain in place.
• Services delivered through Open Arms do not count towards the $5,000 annual threshold.

These arrangements ensure that all veterans, including those with acute, complex or ongoing health needs, continue to receive appropriate care.

When do the changes start?

The changes will start on 1 July 2027. 

Before then DVA will:

• consult with veterans, families of veterans, allied health providers, peak bodies, ex-service organisations and other stakeholders on the detailed design and implementation of the new arrangements
• finalise the process for requesting additional allied health services above the annual threshold
• publish practical guidance and communication products for Veteran Card holders, providers and other stakeholders before the arrangements start
• update MyService so Veteran Card holders can track allied health expenditure and services in real time.

Where can I get help or more information?

To review the discussion paper, get involved in a consultation session or submit feedback, visit the Allied Health Consultations - Consultation Hub on the DVA website.

Consultation closes on 30 October 2026. Further updates and detailed guidance will be provided before the new arrangements start on 1 July 2027.