Medicinal Cannabis Framework – frequently asked questions
Updates have been made to the Framework to reflect changes to the evidence base, regulatory status and clinical best practice.
There is increasing public and professional concern about the safety risks of unapproved medicinal cannabis products, especially those with higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
These concerns have developed as there has been rapid growth in the number and type of these products being accessed in Australia.
The Framework provides the flexibility to adapt its position in response to emerging evidence.
DVA has also become aware of concerning prescribing practices which are placing veterans at harm, prioritising profits over patient wellbeing. Updates are consistent with the work of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Eligible DVA clients who have had a DVA funded RPBS medicinal cannabis prescription (dispensed between 16 February 2025 and 15 February 2026) will have until 31 August 2026 to work with their doctors to make any necessary changes in line with the new funding arrangements.
The changes are effective 16 February 2026 for all other eligible Veteran Card holders.
Medicinal cannabis funding can be considered for specific health conditions where DVA has an existing liability to treat the stated condition.
This includes Gold and Orange Veteran Card holders with ‘all conditions’ covered or a White Veteran Card holder with an accepted condition as set out in the Framework (listed under the ‘What health conditions are approved for funding’ heading).
If an application for a duration of funding is approved, then the prescribed medicinal cannabis is funded under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS).
DVA will only consider funding for the following health conditions:
- chronic pain
- chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- palliative care indications
- anorexia and wasting associated with chronic illness.
- spasticity from neurological conditions, and/or
- refractory paediatric epilepsy.
Accepted Prescribers: DVA will only accept applications and prescriptions from a doctor who has specialist registration with Ahpra.
Product type and limits: DVA will only fund dried herb medicinal cannabis products for vaporisation using a TGA-approved medical device. THC concentration must be 25% or less; total dried herb of 2g per day or less across all products and up to a maximum of 3 products prescribed per client.
DVA will only fund oral medicinal cannabis in the forms of capsules and liquid preparations but not for other oral formulations including edibles like pastilles or gummies.
In-person consultations: DVA will only fund treatment for new clients if the initial consultation has occurred in an in-person appointment with the prescribing medical practitioner; this helps to ensure that the provider/patient relationship is strong and a complete and thorough clinical assessment, including outlining the contraindications of medicinal cannabis, has been clearly communicated. For the same reasons, consultations must also be in-person when there are changes in prescription that increase the total dose of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) above 40mg or increase the prescription to more than 2 products at a time or when changing to a new prescriber.
DVA will continue to fund medical cannabis for eligible Veteran Card holders.
The prescribing practitioner is still required to obtain all relevant State/Territory/Commonwealth approvals.
There is still a tier-based approvals system.
Eligibility requirements and health conditions that can be approved for funding.
Evidence based standard treatments must still have been tried and have failed for the requested medical condition.
Medicinal cannabis is not a first line treatment for any medical condition.
The prescribing practitioner must continue to undertake a suicide and mental health assessment in relation to medicinal cannabis for their client, and they must be satisfied there is no increased risk to mental health or suicide ideation, along with other important considerations like the potential for substance use disorder.
DVA will only fund products that exclusively have CBD and/or THC as listed active ingredients.
The prescriber is satisfied the following conditions have been met:
- the DVA client has an existing DVA treatment entitlement for a health condition that can be approved for funding. This means the health condition being treated is accepted under the DVA Veteran Card or for non-liability healthcare for certain conditions that have been accepted by DVA
- the amount of cannabis taken is determined by clinical need
- the amount and composition of the cannabis is within DVA limits
- prescription and treatment is consistent with Australian peak professional bodies’ clinical protocols and guidelines when issued or updated, as accepted by DVA; and/or
- the eligible DVA client has previously tried evidence based first line treatments for the stated health condition. These treatments have failed or are inappropriate.
The prescriber has declared the following:
- they have specialist registration with Ahpra as listed on the Ahpra website
- assessment and prescription have occurred in accordance with Ahpra’s guidance for medicinal cannabis prescribing
- the initial consultation to prescribe medicinal cannabis (or to change the prescription from Tier 1 to Tier 2, or when transferring to a new medical practitioner) was conducted during an in-person consultation
- medicinal cannabis is clinically indicated and may benefit the patient
- they have obtained all relevant State/Territory/Commonwealth approvals, including TGA authorisations, in order to make the prescription
- the medical practitioner has advised the patient of the potential for contraindications
- a suicide and mental health assessment has been undertaken in relation to medicinal cannabis and there is no increased risk from medicinal cannabis on suicide ideation or mental health
- their client has no substance use disorder and has a low risk for developing a substance use disorder
- there is active monitoring for signs of cannabis use disorder, and if concern develops, there is an appropriate management plan in place including possible de-prescribing, and the amount of medicinal cannabis prescribed aligns with clinical requirements.
To find a health provider you can use the 'Service Finder' on the HealthDirect website. This service allows you to search by:
- Provider type (e.g., general practitioner, occupational therapist, dentist)
- Bulk billing arrangements
- Disability access
- Postcode.
If you need more help finding a provider you can contact the Department of Veterans' Affairs directly on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) who can assist in providing a list of providers in your local area that may have previously engaged with DVA.
You will then need to contact these providers before attending an appointment/consultation to confirm they:
- accept the DVA Veteran Card arrangements
- are a registered specialist with Ahpra
- prescribe medicinal cannabis in line with the DVA Framework.
DVA is unable to provide details of doctors currently prescribing medicinal cannabis or make any provider recommendations.
Medicinal cannabis is unlisted, and most products are unregistered in Australia. There are additional safeguards in place for DVA to consider funding unregistered medicines.
DVA confirms a prescriber has TGA approval to prescribe under the Special Access Scheme or Authorised Prescriber Scheme and that their DVA Card holder patients have regular clinical oversight to ensure effectiveness, and any clinical risks are appropriately managed.
A provision whereby an old rule continues to apply to some existing situations while a new rule applies to all future cases.
Grandfathering arrangements are intended to give veterans who are currently receiving medicinal cannabis prescriptions that fall outside of the new arrangements, time to adjust to the changes.
Grandfathering will apply until 31 August 2026.
Eligible DVA clients who have had a DVA funded medicinal cannabis prescription dispensed within the last 12 months (from 16 February 2025 and 15 February 2026) will be grandfathered.
Changes to prescriptions that exceed the New Framework criteria will not be approved during the grandfathering period e.g. if you are currently in receipt of 3 products, you cannot increase to 4 or if you are currently prescribed an amount of less than 2g per day of dried herb, you cannot increase above 2g per day exceeding the new Framework criteria.
Where the existing prescribing doctor maintains the current prescription/s for DVA funded medicinal cannabis prescription. Any new prescriber will need to meet the in-person and specialist criteria but may retain the current prescription/s to assist in transitioning to the new Framework limits.
Eligible DVA clients who have received a prescription but have not had the medicinal cannabis dispensed within the last 12 months (between 16 February 2025 and 15 February 2026) will not be grandfathered.
Eligible DVA clients who have received a prescription that is currently within the new limits cannot utilise grandfathering arrangements to then exceed the new product and dosage limits for the first time.
When changing to a new prescriber, in-person consultations and specialist registration requirements outlined in the new Framework will apply.
Reimbursement is not guaranteed.
DVA does not provide reimbursement as an avenue for ongoing funding of treatment, please ensure funding requests for treatment are aligned with DVA policy and Schedules.
DVA only funds medicinal cannabis via the RPBS. It must be supplied by a pharmacy that can dispense RPBS items via an approved Authority prescription.
Reimbursement of privately purchased products without an Authority approval are subject to the same clinical guidelines outlined in the DVA Medicinal Cannabis Framework.
Co-payment contributions are not reimbursable (concessional co-payment is currently $7.70)
Clients can request consideration for reimbursement by submitting a D1181 - Application for Reimbursement of Medical Expenses to pharmacy.reimbursement@dva.gov.au. The D1181 must include:
- a correctly rendered and itemised receipt and
- a completed D9546 - RPBS Medicinal Cannabis Tier 2 Application that outlines the clinical rationale for funding (even if your request meets the criteria for a Teir 1 streamlined application).
DVA encourages clients to ensure their doctor is seeking RPBS Authority prescription approval for any medicinal cannabis, prior to receiving your prescription to ensure you are accessing product at the concessional rate.
DVA will only consider reimbursing eligible clients for the purchase of TGA-approved medicinal cannabis vaporisers when they are:
- used solely for the administration of dried herb medicinal cannabis
- purchased within 3 months of medicinal cannabis being dispensed through the RPBS, and
- supplied via a pharmacy.
The current list of vaporisers approved by the TGA can be found at Medicinal cannabis vaping devices that are approved in Australia.
Clients need to seek reimbursement by submitting a D1181 - Application for Reimbursement of Medical Expenses with their receipt to pharmacy.reimbursement@dva.gov.au.
For more information on reimbursements, visit Medical Expenses Privately Incurred (MEPI).
Need to know more?
If your question is not addressed above, please email us at PPO@dva.gov.au.