The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is continuing to improve access to treatment, health services and support for veterans, with new data showing faster processing times across a range of services and record levels of support being delivered.
This release complements DVA's monthly claims processing data, which is now available in a new reporting format, providing veterans, families and advocates with a broader view of performance across the veteran support system.
More than $15 billion in payments and services was provided to over 360,000 veterans and their families in 2025–26, including around $5 billion on healthcare and treatment. This represents the highest level of investment in the history of Australia's veteran support system.
The past three years have also seen record compensation claims processing by DVA, with determinations increasing by 42 per cent from 2022-23 to 2025-26, helping more veterans access the support they need sooner.
These improvements reflect sustained work across DVA to simplify processes, improve digital services and focus resources where they make the most difference for veterans and families of veterans.
Importantly, veterans can already access treatment without waiting for DVA approval. More than 99 per cent of treatment is accessed simply by presenting a Veteran Card to a health provider, who is then paid directly by DVA. In 2025–26, this included 17.2 million health services delivered to veterans. Find more information about Veteran Cards on the DVA website.
The latest processing data highlights significant improvements in a number of high-volume services that directly affect veterans' access to healthcare and support.
Travel reimbursements now processed in days
- Veterans claiming travel costs to attend treatment are now receiving reimbursements faster, with the median processing time reducing from 15 days in 2025–26 to just 4 days in 2026–27. The ‘Find forms’ page on the DVA website has information about submitting travel claims online through MyService, or you can find the relevant travel claim webform.
Prior approvals moving faster
- For the relatively small number of health services that require prior approval from DVA, processing times have improved substantially. The median processing time for approvals fell from 40 days in 2025–26 to just 7 days in August 2026. For context, less than 0.15 per cent of services provided by DVA require prior approval.
Rehabilitation equipment approved more quickly
- Rehabilitation aids and appliances are also being approved more quickly. The median processing time has reduced from 43 days in 2025–26 to 6 days in August 2026, helping veterans access equipment and support they need to maintain independence.
Mental health care plans finalised within 10 days
- Recent reforms have also improved access to mental health support. Mental Health Care Plans have been consistently finalised within 10 days since the commencement of new arrangements on 1 July 2026.
DVA encourages veterans to use digital channels wherever possible, including MyService and online webforms. These channels help veterans provide the information needed to assess an application and generally support faster outcomes than applications submitted by email or post.
The time taken to begin work on compensation claims has also significantly reduced. In 2025–26, the average allocation time for MRCA Initial Liability claims was approximately 14 days, compared with 332 days in 2022–23.
New presumptive liability arrangements introduced under the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025 (VETS Act) are delivering even faster outcomes, with properly completed claims now being finally determined in less than two weeks as part of the initial allocation process.
DVA continues to prioritise assistance for vulnerable veterans and those experiencing acute or urgent circumstances. Veterans are encouraged to provide all required information when applying, as complete applications are generally easier to assess and process quickly.