Claims for certain submarine special operations
Find out about entitlements under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) for ADF veterans who served on submarine special operations between 1 January 1978 and 12 May 1997.
The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) AND Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) close to new compensation and rehabilitation claims on 1 July 2026. All new claims are determined under an improved MRCA.
Back to topEntitlements for veterans
Submarine special operations between 1 January 1978 and 12 May 1997 are considered 'operational service' under the MRCA (and qualifying service under the VEA for the purposes of income support and certain other benefits). This means that eligible veterans can claim compensation and healthcare services for their accepted disabilities.
If you have qualifying service, this means that you will get a Veteran Card - All Conditions at age 70. You and your partner may also be eligible for a service pension or partner service pension. You must meet relevant income and assets tests for the service pension.
Veterans with service on submarine special operations can get treatment for certain medical conditions even if they are not related to service. This includes treatment for:
- any mental health condition
- malignant cancers or pulmonary tuberculosis.
Our pages on Fully funded mental health care for veterans and Fully funded treatment for cancer and tuberculosis provide more information.
Back to topOperational and qualifying service
Not all service on a submarine is considered service on a submarine special operation.
If you have or are eligible for the Australian Service Medal (ASM) with Clasp ‘SPECIAL OPS’ for service on submarine special operations, it is seen as operational service under the MRCA and qualifying service under the VEA. This applies to any submarine special operation between 1 January 1978 and 12 May 1997.
The entitlements you can get are the same, whether you served on one submarine special operation or on many.
Back to topProof of your service
You will need to provide evidence that you have been awarded the Australian Service Medal (ASM) with Clasp ‘SPECIAL OPS’, or that you are entitled to it. There is other service that makes you eligible for this medal, so you must have become eligible for submarine special operations from 1978 to 1997.
We will check your eligibility and your service on relevant operations with the Department of Defence.
You do not need to actually have the medal. You just need to be eligible for the medal. But if you would like to apply for your medal, please contact Defence Honours and Awards on their Medals Inquiry Line 1800 Defence (1800 333 362).
Back to topService after 12 May 1997
Not all submarine service is classified as operational and qualifying service.
From 13 May 1997, all ADF service is classified either as warlike, non-warlike or peacetime. If a submariner served on an operation which has been formally declared as warlike or non-warlike, they may be eligible for a range of DVA entitlements.
From 13 May 1997, certain service on submarines has been classified as non-warlike or as peacetime service depending on the type of operation. This reflects the nature of service criteria for these types of service under the framework that has applied since this date.
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