A veteran was surprised to learn that 10% of their compensation payments were being deducted by a paid advocate, even though they hadn’t realised they had agreed to this arrangement. The fee was embedded in the fine print, and the veteran felt misled and disappointed.
This experience highlights the importance of understanding how advocacy services are funded and what you’re agreeing to when lodging a claim.
Watch out for
- Commission-based fee structures that take a percentage of your compensation.
- Ongoing deductions that may not be clearly explained upfront.
- Agreements signed under pressure or without full transparency.
Free advocates through ex-service organisations provide high-quality support without charging fees or taking a share of your compensation. They’re here to help, not profit from your claim.
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.
DVA support
- Request an online or in person meeting with a Claims Lodgement Assistant
- Request a 1-1 appointment with a Veteran Support Officer
- Call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)
- Visit a DVA office or VAN location.
For more information on your options for making a claim, explore our Making a Claim guide.
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.