Loss of earnings allowance

There are no new claims from 1 July 2026. If you are currently receiving a Loss of Earnings Allowance, you will continue to receive your allowance uninterrupted. All new claims for compensation and support will be made under the improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.

What is Loss of Earnings Allowance

The allowance helps to replace lost pay if you need to take time off work to get treatment for a service-related injury or condition. We can also pay it to someone who takes time off work to help you get treatment or claim Disability Compensation Payment.

Who can receive it

  You may have received the allowance as a veteran if you:

• receive the Disability Compensation Payment, but not at the Special Rate, or
• had put in a claim for Disability Compensation Payment before 1 July 2026, and we needed you to attend a medical appointment.
• work and have lost pay or used up your sick leave while getting treated for a service-related injury or condition.

You need to have been employed and on unpaid leave for the period you are claiming.

If you are self-employed you would have needed to provide BAS or payslips (if sub-contracted) to provide evidence of your loss.

You may have gotten the allowance as a representative if you:

• acted on behalf of a veteran in relation to their claim for Disability Compensation Payment.
• work and have lost pay while helping the veteran claim.

You may have gotten the allowance as an authorised attendant if you:

• travelled with a veteran who needed someone to go with them to get treatment or attend a medical appointment.
• work and have lost pay while travelling with the veteran.

How much you may have received

You either received:

• the difference between the Special Rate (TPI) of the Disability Compensation Payment and the rate you got while you were off work, or
• the amount of pay you actually lost.

You will get the smaller of these two amounts.

If you get a lump sum Permanent Impairment payment, it may reduce the amount of allowance you can receive.