Some veterans have shared stories of being charged significant fees even when their claims were rejected, withdrawn, or never submitted properly.
One veteran paid thousands for help with multiple claims, only to have several rejected. They were billed for services they didn’t understand and had to turn to a volunteer advocate to fix things. “It felt like I was paying for failure,” they said.
Another veteran was charged over $20,000 for what turned out to be just a GP referral and a claim form. The claim didn’t go through, but the fee still stood. The contract was harsh, and they felt trapped.
A third veteran signed up with a commercial advocate who promised results but charged up to 29% of their compensation. They were charged even when claims were withdrawn or failed. They hadn’t realised they’d still owe money.
These experiences show how important it is to understand exactly what you’re agreeing to when engaging a paid advocate, especially when it comes to fees, contracts, and what happens if your claim isn’t approved.
Watch out for
- Fees charged even if your claim is unsuccessful or withdrawn
- Contracts with harsh terms that lock you in or make it hard to leave
- High percentage-based fees that can cost thousands of dollars
- Fees for withdrawn or failed claims that apply regardless of the outcome
- Lack of support for appeals after a claim is rejected.
Free advocates from ex-service organisations don’t charge fees. They’re trained, independent to DVA, and focused on helping you get the support you’re entitled to, without financial pressure.
Find a free advocate
You can find a free, trained and qualified advocate near you via the Advocacy Register, which lists ESOs by location and services offered. All listed organisations will try to assist you, even if you’re not a member of that ESO.
To understand your options and how to protect yourself, visit our Making a Claim guide.
DVA support
- Request an online or in person meeting with a Claims Lodgement Assistant (for non-serving members)
- Request a 1-1 appointment with a Veteran Support Officer (for serving or non-serving members)
- Call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) for help (for serving or non-serving members)
- Visit a DVA office or Veterans’ Access Network location (for serving or non-serving members).
This news item is part of our Making a Claim education initiative, where we share real-life stories from veterans who have experienced challenges when seeking support to lodge compensation and rehabilitation claims.