Claim travel expenses under the improved MRCA
From 1 July 2026, travel expenses for eligible treatment are assessed under the MRCA. If you hold a Veteran Card – All Conditions or a Veteran Card – Specific Conditions, you may be able to claim reimbursement for transport, accommodation, and meals when you travel for treatment.
Who we may reimburse
You may be reimbursed for travel expenses if you hold a Veteran Card – All Conditions or a Veteran Card – Specific Conditions. The travel must be for treatment that is covered by your card.
What we may reimburse
We can reimburse reasonable travel expenses for treatment, including transport, accommodation, and meals.
Other travel reimbursements
You may also be reimbursed for travel to attend a medical examination requested by DVA, to gather evidence for a Veterans' Review Board (VRB) hearing, or to attend a VRB hearing.
Travel is not covered for Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) hearings, for treatment outside Australia, or for regular rehabilitation program activities.
Travel to the place where appropriate treatment is available
Travel reimbursement is based on the nearest suitable provider who is an approved provider and can deliver the treatment you need. This is called the Place Where Appropriate Treatment is Available (PWATA).
You may choose to travel further than your PWATA for reasons such as long wait times, a clinical need for a specific provider, or limited public transport. However, if your provider is not your PWATA, your full costs may not be reimbursed.
Treatment approval does not automatically mean travel is approved. Contact DVA on 1800 838 372 if you are unsure.
Transport
Reimbursement is available for public transport (bus, train, ferry), air travel (which may need prior approval), taxi or rideshare, and private vehicle. If you are travelling to your PWATA, the full fare is reimbursed.
For private vehicle travel, reimbursement is paid at 68 cents per kilometre. Parking costs and road tolls can also be reimbursed when using a private vehicle. Road tolls and parking can be claimed via MyService or a paper form.
Accommodation and meals
Accommodation can be reimbursed for you and your attendant if an overnight stay is reasonable. This includes commercial, subsidised (such as hospital accommodation), and private accommodation (such as staying with family or friends).
Common reasons for an overnight stay include a long travel distance to the PWATA, a need for medical observation, early or late appointments, or being unable to travel due to treatment.
For commercial accommodation, receipts are required and reimbursement is paid up to the ATO threshold rates, unless a higher amount is justified.
The standard rates from 1 July 2025 are:
- Subsidised accommodation: $114.50 per night per person
- Private accommodation: $57 per night per person
- Meals (101 to 400 km round trip): $18.20 per person
- Meals (400 km or more round trip): $37.10 per person
- Meals with overnight stay: $103.75
- Higher costs can be claimed with justification and receipts
Table 1.1 – Accommodation threshold rates from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026
| Place | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Adelaide | $158 |
| Brisbane | $181 |
| Canberra | $178 |
| Darwin | $220 |
| Hobart | $176 |
| Melbourne | $173 |
| Perth | $180 |
| Sydney | $223 |
| High-cost country centres | Refer to Table 1.2 |
| All other country centres | $141 |
Table 1.2 – High-cost country centres from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026
| Country centre | Accommodation | Country centre | Accommodation | Country centre | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany (WA) | $193 | Esperance (WA) | $180 | Nhulunbuy (NT) | $264 |
| Albury (NSW) | $207 | Exmouth (WA) | $235 | Norfolk Island (Qld) | $256 |
| Alice Springs (NT) | $206 | Geelong (Vic) | $175 | Northam (WA) | $220 |
| Ararat (Vic) | $159 | Geraldton (WA) | $190 | Nowra (NSW) | $168 |
| Armidale (NSW) | $166 | Gladstone (Qld) | $171 | Orange (NSW) | $215 |
| Ayr (Qld) | $207 | Gold Coast (Qld) | $225 | Port Augusta (SA) | $207 |
| Bairnsdale (Vic) | $176 | Goulburn (NSW) | $165 | Port Hedland (WA) | $266 |
| Ballarat (Vic) | $187 | Gosford (NSW) | $161 | Port Lincoln (SA) | $170 |
| Bathurst (NSW) | $207 | Grafton (NSW) | $172 | Port Macquarie (NSW) | $190 |
| Bega (NSW) | $207 | Griffith (NSW) | $160 | Port Pirie (SA) | $207 |
| Benalla (Vic) | $168 | Gunnedah (NSW) | $180 | Portland (Vic) | $163 |
| Bendigo (Vic) | $170 | Halls Creek (WA) | $204 | Queanbeyan (NSW) | $207 |
| Bordertown (SA) | $164 | Hamilton (Vic) | $170 | Queenstown (Tas) | $207 |
| Bourke (NSW) | $184 | Hervey Bay (Qld) | $175 | Renmark (SA) | $207 |
| Bright (Vic) | $180 | Horn Island (Qld) | $345 | Rockhampton (Qld) | $174 |
| Broken Hill (NSW) | $162 | Horsham (Vic) | $166 | Roma (Qld) | $182 |
| Broome (WA) | $255 | Innisfail (Qld) | $207 | Sale (Vic) | $207 |
| Bunbury (WA) | $178 | Inverell (NSW) | $207 | Seymour (Vic) | $164 |
| Bundaberg (Qld) | $184 | Jabiru (NT) | $216 | Shepparton (Vic) | $167 |
| Burnie (Tas) | $178 | Kadina (SA) | $207 | Swan Hill (Vic) | $181 |
| Cairns (Qld) | $175 | Kalgoorlie (WA) | $193 | Tamworth (NSW) | $207 |
| Carnarvon (WA) | $174 | Karratha (WA) | $288 | Taree (NSW) | $207 |
| Castlemaine (Vic) | $162 | Katherine (NT) | $228 | Tennant Creek (NT) | $207 |
| Ceduna (SA) | $156 | Kingaroy (Qld) | $180 | Thursday Island (Qld) | $323 |
| Charters Towers (Qld) | $168 | Kununurra (WA) | $222 | Toowoomba (Qld) | $161 |
| Chinchilla (Qld) | $207 | Launceston (Tas) | $174 | Townsville (Qld) | $174 |
| Christmas Island (WA) | $218 | Lismore (NSW) | $183 | Tumut (NSW) | $207 |
| Cobar (NSW) | $207 | Mackay (Qld) | $166 | Wagga Wagga (NSW) | $177 |
| Cocos (Keeling) Islands (WA) | $331 | Maitland (NSW) | $187 | Wangaratta (Vic) | $186 |
| Coffs Harbour (NSW) | $207 | Maryborough (Qld) | $207 | Warrnambool (Vic) | $175 |
| Colac (Vic) | $207 | Mildura (Vic) | $170 | Weipa (Qld) | $238 |
| Cooma (NSW) | $207 | Mount Gambier (SA) | $164 | Whyalla (SA) | $167 |
| Cowra (NSW) | $207 | Mount Isa (Qld) | $185 | Wilpena-Pound (SA) | $272 |
| Dalby (Qld) | $201 | Mudgee (NSW) | $206 | Wodonga (Vic) | $207 |
| Dampier (WA) | $199 | Muswellbrook (NSW) | $160 | Wollongong (NSW) | $182 |
| Derby (WA) | $192 | Nambour (Qld) | $163 | Wonthaggi (Vic) | $188 |
| Devonport (Tas) | $162 | Naracoorte (SA) | $207 | Yulara (NT) | $570 |
| Dubbo (NSW) | $170 | Narrabri (NSW) | $207 | ||
| Echuca (Vic) | $207 | Newcastle (NSW) | $195 | ||
| Emerald (Qld) | $179 | Newman (WA) | $271 |
Pre-payment of travel expenses
Pre-payment of travel expenses is available in cases of financial hardship. If your actual costs after travel are higher than the pre-payment, DVA will pay the difference. If your costs are lower, you will need to repay the difference.
Travelling with an attendant
Your attendant can be a partner, family member, or friend. They do not need any medical qualifications. DVA may reimburse transport, accommodation, and meals for your attendant at the same rates as for you. If you are travelling with an attendant, contact DVA to discuss your situation.
Travelling while on holiday or away from home
Travel assistance is available to attend treatment at your PWATA even if you are on holiday or away from home. Travel will usually be reimbursed to your temporary residence (such as your holiday accommodation) rather than your permanent home. Costs for others travelling with you (other than an approved attendant) are not covered. Consider taking out travel insurance.
Travel for treatment if you live overseas
If you live overseas and need to travel for treatment, contact DVA to discuss your situation.
How to apply
Apply via MyService and submit your claim as soon as possible after travel. You must keep receipts for transport (including tolls and parking), accommodation, and meals. Receipts must be kept for four months after your claim has been processed.
How we reimburse you
Reimbursement is paid into the same account as your pension or payment. You will receive a letter outlining the amount reimbursed and your options for appealing if you are unhappy with the decision.
How to request a review
Appeals go through the Veterans' Review Board (VRB). You must apply within 12 months and explain why you disagree with the decision.
Contact us
Phone: 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)