MRCA and DRCA supplements

This page explains when the MRCA and DRCA supplements may be payable.

This information is current from 1 July 2026 to 19 September 2026.

From 1 July 2026, the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 and Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 closed to new claims for rehabilitation and compensation. All new claims are considered under an improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.

What are the MRCA and DRCA supplements?

The MRCA supplement is a fortnightly payment that may be payable under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) and replaces telephone (and internet) allowance and pharmaceutical allowance to eligible MRCA claimants.

If you are currently receiving the MRCA supplement, there will be no change in payment from 1 July 2026.

The DRCA supplement is a fortnightly payment designed to compensate those Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) clients who are required to make a co-contribution to the cost of the pharmaceuticals needed for conditions that have been accepted under the DRCA.

If you are currently receiving DRCA supplement, there will be no change in payment from 1 July 2026. If you are eligible to receive benefits under MRCA after 1 July 2026, your DRCA supplement payment will be changed to the MRCA supplement.

Payability of the MRCA supplement

The MRCA supplement may be payable to a person who is:

• the holder of a DVA Health Card (Veteran Card - Specific Conditions or Veteran Card - All Conditions) under the MRCA;
• eligible for the Special Rate Disability Pension (SRDP);
• assessed as having a permanent impairment at or above 80 points; or
• a wholly dependent partner of a deceased Australian Defence Force (ADF) member or former member who is eligible for compensation in respect of the member’s death.

The MRCA supplement is not payable to a person who is already receiving an equivalent allowance under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) or the Social Security Act 1991 (SSA).

For information on who is covered under the MRCA, see Overview of the MRCA. 

What is the rate of the MRCA supplement?

The MRCA supplement is payable at a rate of either $7.00 (low rate) per fortnight or $14.00 (high rate) per fortnight, depending on your eligibility.

The high rate of MRCA supplement is payable to:

• members/former members who have a DVA Health Card and are:
  • eligible for the SRDP; or
  • assessed as having a permanent impairment at or above 80 points; and
• wholly dependent partners whose partner died before 20 September 2009 and who elect, at any time, to receive a lump sum payment.

The low rate of MRCA supplement is payable to:

• other members and former members who have a DVA Veteran Card; and
• other wholly dependent partners.

Payability of the DRCA supplement

The DRCA supplement may be payable to a person who has been issued with a Veteran Card - Specific Conditions for treatment of DRCA condition/s.

It is not payable to a person who is already receiving an equivalent allowance under the VEA, MRCA or the SSA.

What is the rate of the DRCA supplement?

The DRCA supplement is payable at a rate of $7.00 per fortnight.

Can the MRCA and DRCA supplements be paid while I am overseas?

The MRCA and DRCA supplements are not payable if you live overseas permanently. If you are overseas temporarily, eligibility for the supplement may continue for 26 weeks after departure from Australia and be restored either upon your return to Australia, or from when you tell DVA of your return to Australia.

You need to tell us within 14 days of your departure if you intend to travel or live overseas for more than 26 weeks. There may be penalties applied for failure to fulfil obligations.