It’s time to review the medicinal cannabis treatment plans for your DVA clients under current grandfathering arrangements.
Updates to DVA’s Medicinal Cannabis Framework (the Framework) were introduced in February 2026, to strengthen clinical governance, support evidence-based prescribing, and ensure funded treatments are safe and effective for eligible DVA clients.
The 6-month grandfathering arrangements for Veteran Card holders using medicinal cannabis will end on 31 August 2026. Prescribers should identify impacted DVA clients, arrange timely reviews ahead of the deadline, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure eligibility and continuity of care.
These arrangements apply to veterans who had prescriptions dispensed between 16 February 2025 and 15 February 2026. Once the arrangements cease, all prescriptions for which DVA funding is sought must comply with Framework requirements.
Medicinal cannabis prescribers are encouraged to review their DVA clients as soon as possible if they haven’t already. This includes confirming that prescriptions meet DVA funding criteria in relation to product type, dosage and quantity, and provider qualifications. Veteran card holders who commenced medicinal cannabis since 16 February 2026 will have been assessed under the updated Framework and as such, no changes to treatment from 1 September 2026 are required.
DVA will only fund prescriptions from a doctor who holds specialist registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). If a DVA client is currently obtaining prescriptions from a doctor without specialist registration, treatment will need to be transitioned to an appropriately registered prescriber to maintain access to DVA-funded medicinal cannabis.
Some DVA clients affected by these changes may have withdrawal symptoms when decreasing their dose or may have developed cannabis use disorder (CUD). If additional support is needed to decrease the dose of medicinal cannabis that they are using, DVA funds treatment under Non-Liability Health Care for mental health and usual Veteran Card arrangements.
Under the updated Framework, DVA continues to fund medicinal cannabis to eligible DVA clients under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) on a case-by-case basis for specific clinical indications. These include chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, palliative care, anorexia and wasting associated with chronic illness, spasticity due to neurological conditions, and refractory paediatric epilepsy. It is important to note that DVA does not fund medicinal cannabis for mental health conditions, including PTSD. Prescribing to DVA clients is expected to be in line with best practice and Ahpra guidance for medicinal cannabis.
More information
More information is available on the DVA website, which includes a link to the Medicinal Cannabis Framework – frequently asked questions.