From 1 July 2026, new incentives will support more proactive and coordinated care for veterans experiencing mental health conditions, backed by $58.3 million over three years and $21 million per year ongoing in Australian Government funding. The incentives form part of broader investment in the veteran health provider network, alongside planned increases to allied health provider fees from next year.
We know that high-quality mental health care takes time and this additional funding will allow General Practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists to spend more time with their veteran patients.
This investment responds to Recommendations 71 and 72 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide which called for higher health service fees, and stronger, expanded health care for veterans.
These incentives will provide additional funding for mental health care specifically for veterans, supporting GPs and psychiatrists to deliver more proactive, ongoing and connected care for veterans experiencing mental health conditions.
For general practitioners, the additional $99.30 incentive item can be co-claimed with an attendance item for the development of a Better Access GP Mental Health Treatment Plan or a time tiered consultation (of 20 minutes and above) where the attendance is for review of a mental health treatment plan and provision of ongoing mental health care. The incentive can be accessed up to four times per year. For further information, please refer to the table below.
For psychiatrists, the extra $162.70 incentive can be co-claimed alongside up to two consultation items to support continuity of care, where an initial assessment is being undertaken or has previously occurred. The incentive can be accessed up to two times per year. For further information, please refer to the table below.
No additional training is needed by GPs and psychiatrists to claim these incentives, however DVA encourages providers to undertake training from the Veterans’ Health eLearning Platform (VETs HeLP) within MedCast. This platform contains modules which focus on veteran mental health and all modules are free and accredited for Continuous Professional Development.
Claiming requirements for these new incentives are detailed below:
| Incentive | Amount | Description |
| GP Veteran Mental Health Incentive | $99.30 |
This is an incentive to be co-billed with a professional attendance for the delivery of mental health care to a veteran card holder. It can be co-billed for the preparation of MBS Better Access Mental Health Treatment Planning items or general attendance MBS item of 20 minutes or above used to review the plan and provide ongoing mental health care. The incentive can be claimed up to 4 times in a 12-month period with eligible services with a minimum of one calendar month between use. All veteran card holders are eligible for these services. No copayment can be charged under DVA billing arrangements. The service must be provided by a prescribed medical practitioner or GP specialist, and the provider must meet the requirements for a MHTP under Medicare arrangements and when delivered via telehealth, also meet the Medicare arrangements for telehealth. Usual Veteran Access Payment (VAP) co-claiming arrangement still apply. Details of co-claiming requirements and restrictions will be published shortly. For example, a GP working in a metro area who creates a mental health treatment plan (that takes between 20 to 40 minutes) would be able to bill a 2715 ($125.30) plus a VAP ($8.80) plus the new veteran mental health incentive ($99.30) to a total of $233.40. |
| Psychiatry Veteran Mental Health Incentive | $162.70 |
This incentive item can be co-billed by a psychiatrist with a professional attendance item for the delivery of ongoing care, where an initial assessment applies or has previously applied. Initial assessment items include 296, 299, 92437 and 92483. The incentive can be billed up to 2 times per 12 months, with a minimum of three calendar months between use. Medicare requirements for referral and, where relevant, telehealth, must be met. Details of co-claiming requirements and restrictions will be published shortly. All veteran card holders are eligible for these services. No copayment can be charged under DVA billing arrangements. For example, a psychiatrist undertaking an initial assessment (that takes over 45 minutes) would be able to bill a 296 ($458.65), plus the new veteran mental health incentive ($162.70) to a total of $621.35. |
How to claim
Providers can submit manual claims for multiple veterans at a time by completing the Veteran Mental Health Incentive Payment Claim Form and emailing it directly to DVA at mental.health.incentives@dva.gov.au. Claims will be processed by DVA through dedicated and streamlined arrangements and will not go through the Prior Financial Approval process.
Services Australia is currently implementing system changes to support these incentives. Online claiming will be available later in 2026. Providers can hold their claims and submit online when the billing system has been updated if that is their preference.
DVA is committed to supporting providers in the delivery of high-quality and coordinated care to veterans and families of veterans. Provider feedback regarding the new veteran mental health incentives is welcome. If you wish to provide feedback, please do this by emailing mental.health.incentives@dva.gov.au by 1 September 2026.
More information
For education, resources and information visit the DVA providers webpage.