Veterans’ Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS)
From 1 July 2026, the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) closed to new claims for rehabilitation and compensation. All new claims will be determined under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).
Any veteran who has participated in a rehabilitation plan under the Veterans’ Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) prior to 1 July 2026 will continue to be covered by the income safety net provisions available under the VVRS.
Pension protection and income safety net
If you were on a rehabilitation plan under the VVRS prior to 1 July 2026 the Scheme had rules in place regarding how returning to paid employment would impact on your Disability Pension and/or Invalidity Service Pension payments.
These rules are still in place and provide surety if you are in receipt of a Special or Intermediate Rate of Disability Compensation Pension (DCP), and/or Invalidity Service Pension, that the income from your employment earnings and disability pension will never be less than the disability pension you would receive if you were not working.
If you receive the Special or Intermediate Rate of DCP you will:
- keep the TPI or Intermediate Rate status and the ancillary benefits.
- see a gradual decrease to your rate of Special or Intermediate Rate DCP while you continue to work
If you receive the Invalidity Service Pension you will also:
- retain your eligibility to this pension and the ancillary benefits for 7 years.
- see your employment income initially counted at 50% and, gradually increased to 100%.
If you receive any of these pensions, you can access the associated benefits for both while you are employed.