We are working with the rest of the Government to keep you up to date with the latest news and information. We will keep this section updated with new information as it comes in.

You can visit the Department of Health's daily health alert regarding COVID-19.

You can use MyService to update your personal information, submit new claims and track the status of an existing claim. You can do this on your computer and on your phone.

Open Arms is open 24/7 if you need someone to talk to. If you have a counselling session scheduled but are feeling unwell or have concerns about attending it in person, call Open Arms on 1800 011 046 and they will reschedule it for you or discuss options for conducting it via telephone or video conferencing. You can visit the Open Arms website at openarms.gov.au.

Latest news

You can read all of the latest news for veterans and the latest news for providers on their dedicated news pages.

Health news

• COVID-19 vaccine
  The Department of Health has information about each phase and who is in the priority groups. When you get the vaccine will depend on whether you are in a priority group. Receiving the vaccine is voluntary and free of charge.
• Access to temporary telehealth arrangements extended
  The Australian Government has extended temporary COVID-19 telehealth arrangements to 31 March 2021.
• Good hygiene for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  Everyone must continue to practise good hygiene at all times. This can help to prevent the virus spreading. 
• Masks
  Wearing a mask can help protect you and those around you in areas with community transmission when physical distancing is not possible.
• Quarantine for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  Read more about what quarantine is, who must go into quarantine, and what to do if you live with someone in quarantine.
• Emergency leave may apply if you have to leave an aged care facility due to COVID-19
  Read the latest advice from the Department of Health, or contact us, if you or a family member need to leave a residential aged care facility due to COVID-19. 
• Connecting with DVA
  Limited booked face-to-face service delivery is returning to Veteran Access Network (VAN) shopfronts for veterans and their families.
• Meeting your rehabilitation needs during COVID-19
  DVA's Rehabilitation Program and Rehabilitation Appliances Program have been working with providers and suppliers to maintain services during the pandemic.
• Community nursing program and COVID-19
  If you currently receive DVA-funded community nursing services, your provider can develop an individual pandemic plan with you and your family to help you stay well during the pandemic.
• COVID-19 information for veterans about telehealth
  On 20 July 2020, the Australian Government made changes to telehealth services provided by general practitioners.
• Information for having phone or video consultation with regular GP
  Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' information and support if you need to see your GP and the safest, most appropriate way to do this is by a phone or video consultation. 
• COVID-19 – veteran mental health service arrangements
  Mental health services delivered by psychiatrists, psychologists, general practitioners, occupational therapists and social workers will be provided as part of DVA’s new telehealth arrangements, where clinically appropriate. These services can still be covered by non-liability health care arrangements where applicable.
• COVID-19 and the veteran community
  DVA has a Pandemic Business Continuity Plan in place to ensure that critical support and services remain available to the veteran community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are closely monitoring the Government’s response and health advice and will adapt our planning accordingly.
• COVID-19 – calming and coping
  By Dr Stephanie Hodson CSC, National Manager, Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling.

Domestic and Family Violence Support

It’s ok to ask for help! If you, or someone you know is affected by family and domestic violence or you think you need to change your behaviour, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This includes information, support and counselling.

You can call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 or Open Arms — Veteran & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046. In emergencies, please call 000.

Visit the family and domestic violence support page for more information.

Education news

• Education schemes
  Students and Australian Apprentice who receive support through DVA’s Education Schemes, including education allowance, may be impacted due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Financial news

If your financial situation has changed, you should update your information as soon as possible. You can update this information by calling us on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

We are mindful of the impacts that COVID-19 may have on our clients. If your circumstances have been affected by COVID-19 and you have an overpayment, you may have the option to pause or adjust the repayment amount up to 28 February 2021. This may include pausing or amending any debt recovery actions from your income support payments up until 28 February 2021. For some clients, if your financial circumstances allow, you may choose to continue to repay a debt. If so, you do not need to contact us as the recovery actions will continue. If you wish to discuss your current debt recovery plan, call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) and ask to speak to the Debt Management Unit. 

Our page How to pay back your debt with us has more information on repaying debts.

• Coronavirus Supplement extended to 31 March 2021
  The Australian Government has extended the Coronavirus Supplement to 31 March 2021. 
• Economic Support Payments
  The Australian Government is providing Economic Support Payments to support the Australian community through the coronavirus pandemic.
• Coronavirus effect on veterans' pensions
  Due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, veteran pensions did not increase in September.
• Overseas financial assistance
  Support for vulnerable Australian citizens whose return to Australia has been impacted by the pandemic.
• Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
  On 3 August, the Prime Minister announced a pandemic leave disaster payment. People in Victoria and Tasmania may receive this. 
• Services at DVA VAN offices
  For the safety of both staff and the veteran community there will be some changes to the provision of face-to-face services at DVA VAN offices.
• Coronavirus Supplement
  Certain DVA Education Schemes clients are now eligible to receive the temporary Coronavirus Supplement.
• Economic Support Payments
  The Australian Government announced two economic stimulus packages.
• Deeming rate reductions
  Clients who receive income support payments from DVA will soon benefit from changes to the way financial assets are assessed, thanks to changes to deeming rates.
• DSH Insurance and COVID-19
  During this extraordinary time with COVID-19, DSH Insurance has put in place mechanisms to help protect you and our wider community.

Providers

• COVID-19 Information for Healthcare Providers
  A temporary change in service delivery to our clients during the current pandemic.
• Department of Health's Hearing Services Program factsheet
  This factsheet contains all of the information you need to know about with the current COVID-19 pandemic.
• Access to temporary telehealth services extended
  The Australian Government has extended temporary COVID-19 telehealth arrangements to 31 March 2021.

Contact us

To update your information or to ask specific questions about your situation, you can contact us. You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Phone

You can call us between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Telephone: 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)

International callers: +61 2 6289 1133