Rates for the Disability Compensation Payment and War Widow(er)’s Pension

This page provides a brief description and the current rates under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) of Disability Compensation Payment and war widow(er)’s pension and allowances that you may be receiving from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

The rates quoted are fortnightly amounts unless otherwise indicated. The rates on this page are effective from 1 July 2026 to 19 September 2026.

From 1 July 2026, the VEA is closed to new claims. Payments described on this page are grandfathered for existing recipients and will continue to be paid and indexed in line with legislation. New compensation claims from 1 July 2026 are assessed under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).

For information about current rates of compensation benefits that may be payable under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), see Compensation payment rates for MRCA.

Payable date

A Disability Compensation Payment and war widow(er)’s pension is generally payable from three months before the date on which the claim for that pension was received at a DVA office.

From 1 July 2026, new claims for Disability Compensation Payment cannot be lodged under the VEA. Existing claims lodged before this date are assessed under the VEA. Claims lodged on or after 1 July 2026 are assessed under the MRCA.

Disability Compensation Payment rates

Disability Compensation Payments (DCP) under the VEA are closed to new claims from 1 July 2026. Individuals already receiving DCP prior to this date will continue to receive payments and these will be indexed as normal.

*Note: These rates include Energy Supplement.

For further information, see:

• General Rate
• Special and Intermediate rates
• Extreme Disablement Adjustment

Additional Disability Compensation Payment for specific disabilities

Additional Disability Compensation Payment is paid to veterans who receive Disability Compensation Payment at less than the special rate and have one of the following disabilities accepted as service related. Note that the total of Disability Compensation Payment and the additional pension cannot exceed the amount of the special rate pension.

Additional Disability Compensation Payments under the VEA continue for existing eligible recipients. New claims for compensation from 1 July 2026 are made under MRCA arrangements.

For further information, see Additional Disability Compensation Payment for specific disabilities.

War widow(er)’s pension

War widow(er)’s pension may be paid to a widow or widower of an eligible veteran when claimed before 1 July 2026. Automatic grants of this pension continue from 1 July 2026.

War widow(er)’s pension - $1,223.40

*Note: This rate includes Energy Supplement.

For further information, see Pension for orphans and war widowed partners.

Orphan’s pension

The dependent child of a deceased eligible veteran may be entitled to receive an orphan’s pension if claimed before 1 July 2026. Automatic grants of this pension continue from 1 July 2026.

Single orphan - $130.70

Double orphan - $261.10

For further information, see Pension for orphans and war widowed partners.

Recreation transport allowance

Recreation transport allowance may be paid to an eligible veteran to assist with the costs of transport for recreation purposes. The amount of the allowance payable depends on the extent of the impact of the veteran’s war-caused or defence-caused incapacity on their mobility.

High rate - $114.20

Low rate - $56.70

For further information, see Recreation transport allowance.

From 1 July 2026, recreation transport allowance is closed to new claims.

If you were receiving these allowances before 1 July 2026, your payments will continue under existing arrangements, as long as you remain eligible.

You can find more information about these changes on the individual allowance pages.

Vehicle Assistance Scheme

The Vehicle Assistance Scheme has closed to new claims, effective 1 July 2026.

The Vehicle Assistance Scheme provided eligible veterans with assistance to purchase and modify a motor vehicle. The assistance was provided to eligible veterans with certain service or war caused amputations, complete paraplegia or a condition similar in effect or severity to certain amputations. A running and maintenance allowance was also payable to assist with the costs of vehicle registration, insurance and other incidental costs.

Maintenance and running costs - $2,969.20 (per year)

For further information, see Vehicle Assistance Scheme.

Loss of earnings allowance

The loss of earnings allowance can only be granted if claimed before 1 July 2026 when the VEA closed to new claims.

Prior to 1 July 2026, the loss of earnings (LOE) allowance was paid when:

• a veteran lost salary, wages or earnings because the veteran was being treated for a war-caused or defence-caused injury or disease
• a veteran had to attend appointments in relation to a claim for Disability Compensation Payment
• another person lost salary, wages or earnings because they were helping a veteran to pursue a claim for Disability Compensation Payment.

As a general rule, the amount of LOE allowance that was paid was the lesser of:

• the difference between the Special Rate and the veteran’s present Disability Compensation Payment, or
• the amount of salary, wages or earnings actually lost (including loadings or other allowances that would have been payable).

LOE payments can be affected if you have received permanent impairment compensation under the DRCA.

For further information, see Loss of earnings allowance.

Attendant allowance

As at 1 July 2026, there are no new claims for Attendant Allowance. Grandparenting arrangements apply so current recipients continue to receive the allowance.

Attendant allowance may be paid to a veteran who has certain war-caused or defence-caused injuries or diseases causing loss of function (such as blindness in both eyes, loss of speech and loss of limbs) and requires the assistance of an attendant to perform basic functions. The allowance is payable at two levels, according to the type of injury or disease.

High rate - $427.40

Low rate - $213.50

For further information, see Attendant allowance.

Clothing allowance

Payment of the clothing allowance is closed to new claims as at 1 July 2026.

If you were receiving this allowance before 1 July 2026, your payments will continue under existing arrangements, as long as you remain eligible.

You can find more information about these changes on the individual allowance pages.

Clothing allowance may be paid to a veteran who has a war-caused or defence-caused injury or disease which causes exceptional wear and tear or damage to clothing. Damage to clothing may be due to factors such as staining from medications or abrasions from aids and appliances. The rate of clothing allowance depends on the extent of the veteran’s injury or disease.

High rate - $17.90

Mid rate - $12.00

Low rate - $8.20

For further information, see Clothing allowance.

Decoration allowance

Decoration allowance is paid automatically to Disability Compensation Payment recipients who were awarded certain decorations for gallantry.

Decoration allowance - $2.10

For further information, see Decoration allowance.

Victoria Cross allowance

Victoria Cross allowance is paid to those veterans who have been awarded this decoration.

Victoria Cross allowance - $5,696.00 (per year)

For further information, see Victoria Cross allowance.

Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES)

On July 1 2026 the VCES was combined with the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS). All students that were supported by the VCES have been moved to MRCAETS. There are no changes to what is received under MRCAETS.

The VCES provided financial assistance and student support services to the dependent children of veterans who have died as a result of war-caused injury or disease, or of veterans who have a war-caused injury or disease which has left them severely incapacitated.

*Note: These rates include Energy Supplement

For further information, see Education Schemes.

Veterans supplement

Veterans supplement may be paid to you if you are not eligible for pension supplement and you:

• receive a Disability Compensation Payment from DVA, or
• are under qualifying age and receive war widow(er)’s pension (but not income support supplement (ISS)), or
• receive an orphan’s pension from DVA, or
• have a Veteran Card - All Conditions, Veteran Card - Specific Condition or Veteran Card - Pharmaceuticals Only.

High Rate - $14.00

Low Rate - $7.00

For more information, see Veterans Supplement.

Energy Supplement

An Energy Supplement is an ongoing fortnightly payment paid with compensation and income support payments. The rate varies according to the payment type. For more information, see Energy Supplement.

For more information, see Veteran injured before 1 July 2004.