Department of Veterans' Affairs
DVAThe federal department that administers compensation, healthcare and support for current and former ADF members and their families.
DVA decides claims for service-related injuries and illnesses, issues Gold and White Cards for healthcare, and pays compensation under three different Acts (DRCA, MRCA and VEA) depending on when and where you served. Most veterans deal with DVA at some point, even if only to lodge a single claim.
Related terms
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act
DRCAThe Act that covers service-related injuries and illnesses for service between 3 January 1949 and 30 June 2004.
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
MRCAThe Act covering service-related injuries and illnesses for service on or after 1 July 2004.
Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
VEAThe older Act covering warlike and operational service before 1 July 2004, plus some other defined service.
Gold Card
DVA-funded healthcare for all clinically necessary treatment, for any condition, in Australia.
White Card
DVA-funded treatment for accepted service-related conditions, plus a small set of automatic conditions.