Pension for orphans and war widow(er)s
On this page
- What are the war widow(er)’s pension and orphan’s pension?
- Who can receive a pension?
- When are these pensions automatically granted?
- When are these pensions not automatically granted?
- Are these pensions taxed?
- What happens to the pension if I remarry or enter into a de facto relationship?
- What other benefits and services are available?
- Related Pages
This page provides a description of war widow(er)’s pension and orphan’s pension available under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA).
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 and DVA will consider claims submitted from that date under an improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).
If you have already been granted a War Widow(er) or Orphan’s Pension under the VEA before 1 July 2026, these payments will continue after 1 July 2026. You will not be eligible for additional benefits under the MRCA.
The existing automatic grant of War Widow(er)s and Orphans Pension under the VEA to dependants, without the need to claim, will continue after 1 July 2026, where the veteran was receiving one of the payments listed below.
Back to topWhat are the war widow(er)’s pension and orphan’s pension?
These are pensions paid under the VEA to compensate widowed partners and dependent children of veterans who have died as a result of war service or eligible Defence service. War widow(er)’s pension and orphan’s pension are not affected by other income, except other compensation payments.
For information on the current rates of war widow(er)’s pension and orphan’s pension payable under the VEA, see Disability Compensation Payment and War Widow(er)’s Pension Rates and Allowances.
When a veteran passes away, their Veteran Card – All Conditions is not transferred to the surviving partner or any other dependant. Recipients of war widow(er)’s pension and orphan’s pension are issued with a Veteran Card - All Conditions. This card entitles you to a range of health care for all conditions within Australia.
War widows and war widowers may be entitled to Income Support Supplement – an income- and assets-tested pension that provides additional regular income.
War widows and war widowers may also be entitled to receive the Energy Supplement.
Who can receive a pension?
The following people can receive this pension:
- a widow or widower – a person who was legally married to, or was in a de facto relationship with, an Australian veteran immediately before the veteran’s death and has not since remarried, married or entered into a de facto relationship with another person
- a dependent child – the natural or adopted child of a veteran, or a child who was wholly or substantially dependent on the veteran. The child must be under 16 years, or under 25 years and still undertaking full-time study. Orphan’s pension may not be payable if the child is aged 16 years or over and is in receipt of Australian Government educational assistance through: Youth Allowance, Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme, ABSTUDY, Post-Graduate Awards Scheme, or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme .
When are these pensions automatically granted?
A pension will be granted to a dependant automatically, without the need for further investigation, if the veteran was any of the following:
- an ex-prisoner of war
- receiving the Extreme Disablement Adjustment
- receiving a Disability Compensation Payment at the Special Rate (including a veteran who was in receipt of a Special Rate Disability Compensation Payment for blindness in both eyes), or
- receiving a Disability Compensation Payment at the Intermediate Rate or
- receiving a Disability Compensation Payment at the Temporary Special Rate
- receiving the Additional Disability Compensation Payment for a specific disability.
Under grandparenting arrangements these pensions will continue to be automatically granted, where eligible, from 1 July 2026.
Back to topWhen are these pensions not automatically granted?
In all other cases a claim needs to be lodged with the Department before any compensation is paid.
All new claims lodged from 1 July 2026 will be assessed and paid under the MRCA, noting that:
- if the veteran passed before 1 July 2026 (but the dependant claim is lodged after 1 July 2026) VEA dependants will be assessed for the range of MRCA dependant benefits – but they will not be eligible for the additional lump sum paid for service-caused deaths
- if the veteran passed after 1 July 2026, VEA dependants will be assessed for the full range of MRCA dependant benefits including the additional lump sum paid for service-caused deaths.
Are these pensions taxed?
War widow(er)’s pension and orphan’s pension are not taxed. There is no need to declare them as income in your tax return.
Back to topWhat happens to the pension if I remarry or enter into a de facto relationship?
Your pension will not be affected.
Back to topWhat other benefits and services are available?
War widows and war widowers may also be entitled to concessions on the costs of public and private transport services and utilities such as gas and electricity. Contact the office of the service provider to enquire about your entitlement to concessions.
Dependent children of veterans whose death has been accepted as war-caused may be entitled to a range of benefits, including financial assistance and counselling from the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme.
DVA may pay a funeral benefit to assist with the cost of the funeral of a veteran whose death has been accepted.
A veteran whose death has been accepted as being war-caused is entitled to official commemoration.
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