Support for members of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force and people who served in Japan
This page provides information for members who served in Japan between 16 August 1945 and 30 January 1946, as well as members of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force who served in Japan between 31 January 1946 and 28 April 1952.
The Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) closed to new compensation and rehabilitation claims from 1 July 2026. The Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) is the sole Act under which all new compensation and rehabilitation claims related to defence service are determined.
Back to topWhat was the British Commonwealth Occupation Force?
The British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) was formed after the formal surrender of Japan and included personnel from the armed forces of Australia, New Zealand, India and the United Kingdom. BCOF’s primary role was to ensure that the terms of the unconditional surrender of Japan were met. Service for Australian personnel extended from 13 February 1946 to 28 April 1952 (both dates included).
If you served in Japan between 16 August 1945 and 30 January 1946 or was a member of the BCOF who served in Japan between 31 January 1946 and 28 April 1952, you may be eligible to claim for the following benefits with DVA:
However, service in Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Forces Korea is not included, regardless of the dates of service.
Back to topVeteran Card – All Conditions
For Veteran Card – All Conditions holders, DVA pays for treatment in Australia for any medical condition, regardless of whether or not related to your service in the occupation of Japan, when obtained from a healthcare provider who agrees to treat you under DVA health care arrangements.
How to apply?
If you served with the Australian contingent of the BCOF in Japan after the end of the Second World War, you can download and complete:
Back to topCompensation under the MRCA
War widow(er)s of former members of the Australian Defence Force whose death is accepted as related to their service are also eligible. Claims will be determined under the more generous ‘reasonable hypothesis’ standard of proof.
For more information, please refer to Pension for orphans and war widowed partners.
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