DVA is safeguarding the veteran support system to make it easier for veterans and families to access safe treatment that supports improved wellbeing.
The changes to the Medicinal Cannabis framework (the Framework) better align with the Quality Use of Medicines guidelines, reflects emerging safety evidence and are consistent with the opinion of Australian professional medical bodies. The updated Framework has been approved by the Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.
Eligible DVA clients who already access medicinal cannabis under DVA arrangements and have had a medicinal cannabis prescription dispensed between 16 February 2025 and 15 February 2026, will have until 31 August 2026 before the changes take effect for them. It is the responsibility of DVA clients and their medicinal cannabis prescribers to work together during this period to adjust their prescriptions to meet the new formulation, dose and product number limits before the temporary transition arrangements end on 31 August 2026.
For new eligible DVA clients the changes are effective 16 February 2026.
What’s changed
- DVA will only fund prescriptions from a doctor who has specialist registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
- Consultations must be in-person when being assessed for a prescription for the first time, when there are changes in prescription that would make a Tier 1 application move to a Tier 2, or when changing to a new prescriber.
- Veterans can only be prescribed a maximum of 3 approved medicinal cannabis products at any one time.
- DVA will fund dried herb medicinal cannabis for vaporisation using a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved medical device, where the dried herb:
- has a THC concentration of 25% or less.
- where the total does not exceed 2g per day across all dried herb products.
- DVA will only fund oral medicinal cannabis in the forms of capsules and liquid preparations but not other oral formulations including edibles like pastilles or gummies. This is to reduce the risk of harm from accidental ingestion of edible medicinal cannabis products by children and animals.
- Treating practitioners must also ensure:
- all relevant State or Territory and Commonwealth approvals, including TGA authorisations for the prescription have been obtained.
- assessment and prescription have occurred in accordance with Ahpra’s guidance for medicinal cannabis prescribing.
- a mental health assessment has been completed in relation to medicinal cannabis, and there is no increased risk from medicinal cannabis on suicidal ideation or mental health.
- the patient has no substance use disorders or has been identified as low risk.
- there is active monitoring for signs of cannabis use disorder.
What we fund
DVA may fund medicinal cannabis for eligible veteran card holders for treatment of certain health conditions including chronic pain, chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, palliative care, anorexia and wasting associated with chronic illness such as cancer, spasticity from neurological conditions and refractory paediatric epilepsy.
DVA does not currently fund medicinal cannabis for mental health conditions.
More information
We have written directly to affected prescribers to inform them of the changes. For further information on prescribing medicinal cannabis to veterans visit Medicinal cannabis information for providers | Department of Veterans' Affairs.