The Australian Government is investing $58.3 million over three years, and $21 million per year ongoing, to incentivise general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists to deliver veteran-specific mental health care planning and treatment.
The Veteran Mental Health Incentive is a direct response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which called for expanded health care for veterans. These incentives will pay an extra $99.30 to general practitioners up to 4 times a year for long appointments that support your mental health treatment and an additional $162.70 to psychiatrists up to 2 times per year for ongoing care.
These incentives are aimed at making it easier to access DVA funded mental health support and helps support access for more GPs and psychiatrists to treat veterans when they need it.
Research shows that starting treatment earlier helps people function better day to day, improves long-term mental health outcomes, and prevents conditions from getting worse. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, we encourage you to reach out to your GP as soon as possible.
Other supporting measures aimed at improving the long-term wellbeing of veterans include:
- A $169.7 million investment to increase fees for allied health providers from
1 July next year. This is the largest investment in veteran allied health services in more than 20 years and will expand veterans’ access to mental health and wellbeing support. - A change to how some service-related claims are progressed so veterans can access the right care earlier. A $739.2 million investment over four years will help support veterans before their conditions worsen or become chronic.
Together, these measures will make it easier for veterans to access the right care at the right time, supporting better mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
Detailed information for providers on claiming the Veteran Mental Health is available on the DVA website.