Comparison of benefits for dependants
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  1. Benefits available upon death
  2. Benefits available under other circumstances

The following tables provides a comparison of benefits for dependants available.

From 1 July 2026, the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) closed to new claims for rehabilitation and compensation. DVA will consider new claims under an improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).

These are some of the benefits available under the:

More information on dependent benefits is available on the bereavement payments page.

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Benefits available upon death

For claims lodged on or after 1 July 2026, benefits outlined in the MRCA column apply. VEA and DRCA columns apply only to eligible grandparented benefits lodged before this date.

Benefits VEA DRCA MRCA
Widow(er)’s benefits A tax-free war widow(er)’s pension payable fortnightly for life in respect of death due to service. An additional income support supplement (means tested). Veteran Card - All Conditions for life. For the current rates, see Disability Compensation Payment and War Widow(er)’s Pension Rates and Allowances A tax-free lump sum shared between dependants. An additional lump sum death benefit. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for DRCA and the Defence Act A tax-free payment payable fortnightly for life for a wholly dependent partner. The partner may elect to convert 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of the payment to an age-based lump sum. An additional age-based lump sum is provided where the death is service-caused. Veteran Card - All Conditions for life. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA
Dependent children benefits Fortnightly orphans pension (if war/service-caused death of parent). Conditions apply if child is over 16 years of age—e.g. not eligible if receiving education benefits. Veteran Gold Card while in full time education. For the current rates, see Disability Compensation Payment and War Widow(er)’s Pension Rates and Allowances A share of the tax-free lump sum shared between dependants. An additional dependent child lump sum benefit. Weekly payment while under 16 years of age, or between 16 and 25 years of age and in full time education. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for DRCA and the Defence Act A tax-free lump sum payment for each dependent child under 16, or between 16 and 25 if in full time education and not engaged in full time employment. A weekly payment while under 16 years, or between 16 and 25 if in full time education and not engaged in full time employment (for some). Can be engaged in full time employment if certain grandfathered VEA eligibility criteria is met. Veteran Card - All Conditions (while under 16 years or between 16 and 25 if in full time education). For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA
"Other" dependants No No Compensation available for other dependants such as veterans or their partners parents or step-parents, veterans’ grandparents, siblings or half siblings, related person covered under Section 15 of the MRCA. In determining the amount each dependant receives DVA will consider any financial loss suffered due to the death of the veteran and the degree and length of dependency.
Children’s Education benefits Yes- entitlements transitioned and would have to apply under the MRCA Yes—would have to apply under the MRCA. Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS) for an eligible child of certain severely injured members or deceased members whose death was accepted as a service death. MRCAETS has various rates of education allowances. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA
Children’s Education benefits, continued Yes- entitlements transitioned and would have to apply under the MRCA Yes—would have to apply under the MRCA. Income Support Bonus for full time students who are 16 years old or over, or under 16 years old receiving the education allowance rate of double orphan, homeless or living away from home. 
Funeral Benefit Yes, for service-caused death. Also, automatic grants of funeral benefit to the estates of certain deceased veterans. For the current rates, see Disability Compensation Payment and War Widow(er)’s Pension Rates and Allowances Yes, where death due to service or to a service-related medical condition. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for DRCA and the Defence Act Yes, where death is due to service or to a service-related medical condition. (Not payable in cases where Defence has paid for the funeral of a member who died in service.) Also available if veteran was assessed at 80 or more impairment points, veteran was SRDP eligible at some point, veteran was ADA eligible at some point. A lower rate of funeral compensation is available to the estate of veterans who were receiving Extreme Disablement Amount or Special Rate (TPI only), or where an additional disability allowance as a multiple amputee and ex-POWs. Specific eligibility requirements have to be met. Funeral compensation is also available for a dependant of the veteran who died in indigent circumstances after meeting specific eligibility requirements. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA
Bereavement payment (Disability Compensation Payment) Deceased person’s Disability Compensation Payment continues for six fortnights if there is a surviving spouse. No.

The following payments continue for six fortnights if there is a surviving spouse or dependent child:

  • Weekly permanent impairment payments
  • Incapacity payments
  • SRDP
Financial advice No. Yes, in cases where advice is sought for investment of the additional death benefit under the Defence Act 1903. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for DRCA and the Defence Act Yes, for wholly dependent partner when offered choice between weekly payment or conversion of that payment to a lump sum. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA
Legal advice No. No. Yes, for wholly dependent partners when offered a choice between a weekly payment or conversion of that payment to a lump sum percentage. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA
Permanent Impairment compensation N/A No. Available where veteran submitted compensation claim prior to death and no choice was made to convert weekly compensation payment to a lump sum prior to death.
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Benefits available under other circumstances

Benefits VEA DRCA MRCA
Children’s Education benefits Yes – entitlements transitioned and would have to apply under the MRCA Yes—would have to apply under the MRCA. Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS) for an eligible child of certain severely injured members or deceased members whose death was accepted as a service death. MRCAETS has various rates of education allowances. For the current rates, see Compensation payment rates for MRCA
Children’s Education benefits, continued Yes – entitlements transitioned and would have to apply under the MRCA Yes—would have to apply under the MRCA. Income Support Bonus for full time students who are 16 years old or over, or under 16 years old receiving the education allowance rate of double orphan, homeless or living away from home.

 

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