A New Era of Support: Key Updates from Vetaffairs – April 2025

April 15, 2025 |

The April 2025 edition of Vetaffairs from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) presents significant developments aimed at enhancing support for Australia’s veteran community.

Legislative Reforms: The VETS Act

A pivotal highlight is the passage of the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025 (VETS Act). Effective from 1 July 2026, this legislation will consolidate existing veteran compensation laws into a single, streamlined framework. Key improvements include:

  • Introduction of the Additional Disablement Amount (ADA) for older veterans with significant service-related impairments.
  • Expanded eligibility for household services and attendant care.
  • Enhanced travel reimbursements for treatment-related travel.
  • Automatic transition of certain veterans to the Special Rate Disability Pension and MRCA Gold Card, subject to criteria.

These changes aim to simplify the compensation process and ensure consistent support for veterans and their families.

Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs Expansion


The DVA continues to expand its network of Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs, with new locations planned in Ipswich, Queanbeyan, Tweed/North Coast, Hunter region, Hawkesbury region, South West Perth, Northern Adelaide, and Surf Coast/Geelong. These Hubs offer integrated services, including health and wellness programs, employment assistance, housing support, and social connection opportunities. They serve as welcoming spaces for veterans, current ADF members, Reservists, and their families. 

Launch of the Veteran Support and Services Guide

To assist veterans in navigating available services, the DVA has released the inaugural Veteran Support and Services Guide. This comprehensive 60-page booklet provides information on accessing DVA services throughout various stages of life, from enlistment to civilian transition and aging. Hard copies are available at DVA offices, Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs, Open Arms clinics, and through Veteran Support Officers. 

Research Initiatives: Longitudinal Wellbeing Study

In collaboration with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the DVA has initiated the Longitudinal Wellbeing of Veterans and Families project. This research aims to analyze the health and wellbeing outcomes of ADF members post-transition to civilian life. By linking DVA data with ABS datasets, the study will inform future policies and support services tailored to veterans’ needs. 

Pension and Allowance Adjustments

Effective from 20 March 2025, veterans and their families will see an increase in pension payments due to the regular indexation process. For instance, the single Service Pension rate will rise by $4.60 to $1,149.00 fortnightly. These adjustments aim to maintain the financial wellbeing of the veteran community. 



For a detailed exploration of these updates and more, readers are encouraged to access the full April 2025 issue of Vetaffairs on the DVA website.