Awareness - Families of Veterans Guild

A cap on allied health is blunt and poor policy

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 21 May 2026 23:00:03 +0000

Allied health care is essential — and veterans, widows and families deserve certainty

On 12 May 2026, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) announced a $5,000 annual monetary limit on allied health services for Veteran Card holders as part of the Federal Budget.

The proposal

Taking effect on 1 July 2027, the cap on allied health services will cover services such as physiotherapy, psychology and occupational therapy. From the Government’s perspective, the policy is intended to reduce overservicing. At the same time, the Budget announced an increase in fees paid by DVA to allied health providers, described as “the largest investment in allied health fees for veterans in over 20 years.”

This proposal has drawn significant criticism and concern within the veteran community, including from war widows who hold DVA treatment cards.

To date, DVA has confirmed that card holders requiring care beyond the $5,000 limit will not be cut off. Funding may be extended above the cap where there is a valid, ongoing clinical need. However, what this means in practice remains unclear. It also appears that approval for funding beyond the cap may need to be renewed annually through a GP.

While the cap has been announced alongside a long-awaited increase in allied health provider fees—bringing DVA fees in line with the NDIS—there is a significant tension between these two policy settings. That tension has the potential to leave veterans, their families and widows worse off.

Allied health services are essential

Allied health services provided to veterans and widowed partners—such as physiotherapy, psychology and occupational therapy—are not discretionary supports; they are essential to maintaining independence, managing chronic conditions, and supporting quality of life.

While we acknowledge the Government’s investment in increasing allied health provider fees, the introduction of a $5,000 cap on services raises significant concerns.

Based on the announcement, the annual cap appears to apply not only to veterans, but to anyone with a DVA health care card, including widowed partners. Many of these widows are older, managing multiple chronic conditions, and increasingly reliant on allied health care to remain independent. For this cohort, allied health care is often preventative and maintenance-based—reducing hospitalisation, preserving mobility, and helping people remain out of aged care. Data from our recent Veteran Families Survey indicates that 51% of war widows already experience difficulty accessing health care services, 27% have experienced mental health challenges in the last 12 months, and 40% have experienced difficulty accessing mental health care. The proposed cap on allied health services is likely to further exacerbate these challenges for the widows of our veterans.

Census data indicates that veterans are four times more likely than the general population to have a long-term health condition, including arthritis and mental illness. Placing limits on allied health services that help veterans live with these long-term conditions as a result of their service is a poor way to express our nation’s gratitude. When long-term conditions are not well managed or supported, stress and pressure on veteran families also increase—particularly given that veteran families are already twice as likely as the general population to experience mental health challenges.

While we accept that there may be some overservicing occurring in the sector, a blanket cap on services is not the right way to address it when the evidence shows that need remains high. Although there appears to be a mechanism for DVA to approve service levels above the financial cap, we are highly concerned that this requirement will introduce additional administrative burden, often falling to the unwell individual or their family at a time when their capacity to navigate complex systems may already be limited.

The lack of clarity around how “clinical need” will be defined and approved may lead to delays, disrupted treatment pathways, and increased anxiety for widows and families seeking to maintain continuity of care. For those in regional and rural areas, where access to providers is already constrained, these challenges are further amplified.

We are also concerned that the policy may inadvertently increase the burden on families and informal carers. Where care is delayed, reduced or uncertain, families are often required to fill the gap—impacting their own wellbeing, financial security and ability to continue providing support.

Finally, this is a confusing policy that sends mixed signals to the community. On one hand, it says fees paid to allied health providers are being increased to improve access to services; on the other, it places an annual cap on the value of services a person can access. These two elements work against each other and may have the net effect of reducing the number of sessions a veteran or widowed partner can access from 1 July 2027.

Reforms to accessing allied health care for veterans and widowed partners must be designed in a way that reflects the lived experience of veterans, widows and their families, and does not compromise the stability of the care they rely on to live well and remain connected in their communities.

What we want to see

First, we want to see the annual monetary limit removed from the policy altogether. If that does not occur, the annual monetary limit should, at a minimum, be removed for Gold Card holders. If the Government proceeds with the policy, we must see the following safeguards:

Continuity of care safeguarded – ensuring there is no interruption to clinically endorsed treatment once it has been established.
Streamlined approval pathways – multi-year or standing approval pathways for veterans and widowed partners with chronic health conditions or high support needs, particularly for ageing veterans and widows and for veterans who meet the threshold for a Gold Card.
Minimise administrative burden – ensuring DVA designs and delivers a process that does not rely on family or carer intervention and is simple, timely and transparent.
Clear operational guidance – publishing clear criteria on what constitutes a “valid clinical need”, who determines it, and the relevant approval timeframes and review processes.
Ongoing monitoring and transparent reporting – regular reporting from DVA on implementation of the policy, including key metrics such as whether it is reducing overservicing, approval rates, access issues, and the impact on older veterans, regional veterans, and widowed partners.

We encourage all in our community to write to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs to request the removal of the annual monetary limit.

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Entitlements update

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 15 May 2026 01:00:12 +0000

DVA pensions and allowances

From 20 March pensions and allowances received by some veterans and their families increased with the first full payment made to veterans and their widows on 16 April 2026.

The War Widow(er)’s Pension has increased $22.60 per fortnight to $1,223.40 and the Income Support Supplement has increased $6.80 per fortnight to $363.80. Wholly Dependent Partner payments under the MRCA have also increased $22.60 per fortnight to $1,223.40.

These payments include the Energy Supplement paid to DVA pensioners for more information on other pension rates please visit www.dva.gov.au.

Advocacy regulation

DVA has released a public consultation paper regarding regulating compensation advocacy services following an ongoing rise in commercial advocates engaging in behaviours and practices that prioritise profit over the health and wellbeing of veterans and widowed partners.

While we do not provide claims advocacy, we are highly invested in these reforms as they impact the experiences and wellbeing of widowed partners trying to access the compensation system and families of veterans who are engaging with it for the first time.

DVA is proposing to:

restrict exploitative fee practices;

ban offshore hosting of veteran data;

prevent misleading or deceptive conduct;

ensure fee-charging advocates are properly trained, insured and ethical; and

avoid over-regulation of ESOs and volunteers.

We are supportive of reforms that strengthen regulation of the veterans’ advocacy sector, particularly where such reform improves protections for widowed partners and veteran families navigating the compensation system.

We are concerned that current and emerging commercial advocacy practices disproportionately expose widowed partners to harm. At the time claims are lodged, widowed partners may be:

newly responsible for complex legal and administrative processes;

managing mental health impacts, caring responsibilities, or income loss; and

highly reliant on advice presented as expert, urgent or essential.

In this context, commission-based fees, contingency fees, opaque contracts and excessive termination penalties pose significant risks. These practices can materially reduce compensation intended to provide long term financial security for families after service related death, and may pressure widowed partners into agreements they do not fully understand or feel able to challenge.

The proposed reform provides an important opportunity to signal that the compensation system exists not merely to process claims, but to uphold dignity, fairness and protection for those who bear the enduring cost of service. Widowed partners and vulnerable veteran families should never be placed in a position where grief, urgency or lack of system knowledge leaves them exposed to exploitation.

Booked car with driver updates

Many of our widowed partners Gold Cards holders use DVA’s Book Car With Driver transport service. Now DVA has introduced another way to access this service by using their My Service Portal. Through the My Service Portal you can now ask DVA to arrange transport for treatment covered by your Gold Card.

DVA has also changed how you arrange transport back following your medical appointment. Now when you have finished the medical appointment, you don’t have to ring DVA to book your return back home: you can do this by ringing the transport provider. According to DVA, drivers should be giving a right of return card on the journey to the appointment, which has all the information you need to organise your journey back home. When making your return booking, use your right of return card, when calling them, simply quote your DVA number, and a driver will be back to pick you up from the appointment. If the driver has not offered a card, please ask for one.

We know that the Booked Car With Driver Service from DVA often causes a lot of angst and anxiety for many widowed partners. If you run into any trouble please do not hesitate to give us a call, and one of our Social Workers will help you out, or call DVA directly on 1800 550 455.

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South Australia Update

Kelly Taylor — Thu, 14 May 2026 01:00:29 +0000

What is happening now for SA war widows

A warm and special welcome to the more than 50 War Widow South Australia (SA)members who have joined us since the start of the year. We are so pleased to have you with us and look forward to welcoming many more of you over the coming months.

We have now completed the transition phase and have commenced operations in SA, offering support, connection, and wellbeing services to SA based War Widows and Veteran Families.

The establishment of these services signal a new start for SA war widows. We are proud to continue the work of War Widows SA and ensure that War Widows remain a fundamental part of the veteran eco-system in SA.

There is a thriving community of war widows and veteran families in SA, and we are excited to bring our services and support to this region. We are grateful for the war widows in SA for trusting us with their Legacy.

What this means for SA widows

Now that transition is complete, this means former War Widows SA members will continue to have access to:

Continued connection: SA war widows will keep meeting, with support from the Guild’s team and local volunteers.

Access to services: all SA war widows and veteran families can join the Guild’s online activities and access social work services, including wellbeing support, advocacy, and information.

Membership: if individuals were a member of War Widows SA, membership can transition to the Guild free for the first 12months. Life Members will retain their status.

Monthly meetings of the War Widows Social Club in SA are set to recommence from May 2026. To find out more or if you are a war widow in SA and would like to connect with the social club, please call us or email: warwidows@fov.org.au.

Visit our SA web page

Our dedicated welcome page for South Australian war widows and veteran families. It explains the transition from Australian War Widows SA, the support you can access today — online activities, social work, and our resource hub — and answers to frequently asked questions about membership and entitlements.

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Building capability on broken foundations: where are veteran families in this budget?

Caroline Kirche — Wed, 13 May 2026 05:09:03 +0000

This week’s Federal Budget once again failed to commit any funding to supporting Australian veteran families, a community that hasn’t seen a substantive policy update since 1986.

While the Government touts a record $53 billion Defence package, the limited funding flowing into the veteran portfolio is being funnelled into the most inefficient part of the ecosystem: government bureaucracy. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide identified that it is this part of the sector that veteran suicide, yet this budget doubles down on it instead of allocating any funding to the community organisations proven to actually make a tangible difference. While funding is needed to build the future state – funding is needed now in the community.

With the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs also being notably absent from the Cabinet table, this Budget – where veterans and their families are barely mentioned – reflects how low down the priority list we are. The Royal Commission acknowledged that supporting families is a direct investment in Defence capability. A high-tech force cannot be built on the backs of families who are quietly breaking.

The Government may point to the establishment of the new Veteran Wellbeing Agency as a solution, but this group likely won’t be ready to start allocating funding for at least another 12-18 months. And with conflict continuing to brew in the Middle East, we cannot afford to wait. Our modest $5.17 million we requested for trauma-informed crisis support, career development for partners, and our vital War Widows Program was ignored.

While we’re devastated by this result, the Families of Veterans Guild will be working even harder to advocate for our communities’ wellbeing. Because without our support, we will see:

Increased isolation: Vulnerable war widows nationwide will face loneliness without expanded peer-support.
Economic Strain: Veteran partners will remain three times more likely to be under- and unemployed, with less support to reclaim their careers.
Ongoing and widening Mental Health Gaps: Families will continue to struggle through trauma and grief without specialist intervention.

You cannot ask families to sacrifice their stability for national security and then offer nothing in return. We will not stop advocating until every veteran family member is thriving.

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Campaign update – restoring concession equality for NSW war widows

Kelly Taylor — Wed, 13 May 2026 00:11:09 +0000

Our campaign to restore concession equality to war widows on council rates in NSW is gaining momentum. Since December 2025 we have engaged with 90 Councils and State Government representatives.

Our second round of engagement has now commenced. This round of engagement provides costings of the proposal, allowing Councils and the State Government to understand the impacts of our request.

Changes we are seeking

Currently, section 134 of the Local Government Regulation limits eligibility for full local government rate concessions to war widows/widowers who would qualify for a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC). In practice, this income and assets test means some war widows in NSW lose a concession they previously received as a household once their veteran spouse dies. We want to see this removed from the Regulation so that the concession is available to all DVA recognised war widows/widowers.

We have identified that there are 3,227 recognised war widows across the state who are currently ineligible for the council rate concession, while more than 6,000 war widows across the state receive the concession.

Costs of expanding eligibility

Funding of rate concessions in NSW is shared between State and Local Government with the State Government contributing 55% of the required funding and Local Government contributing 45%.

The total cost to the NSW State Government of implementing the change to s134 is up to $754,311 with the remaining $616,500 to be shared among 128 local councils in NSW. The total cost of the change we are seeking is estimated at $1.37 million per year.

While some war widows become ineligible for the concession because they inherit their partner’s assets, many do not. In an environment where the cost of living is ever increasing, the concession conferred by s134 of the Regulation offers a significant and material difference in the lives of more than 3,000 war widows across NSW.

Responses to date

After bringing this issue to the attention of Councils and Mayors around the state, not only have we gained the support of many, but some have gone further. Ryde Council has chosen to implement the concession for all war widows in their area. Additionally, the Hills Shire Council has advised that they provide an additional rebate available to war widows in their area on their rates. For more information on both please contact Ryde Council on 02 9952 8222 or at cityofryde@ryde.nsw.gov.au and the Hills Shire Council on 02 9843 0555 or at council@thehills.nsw.gov.au.

Additionally, Majors of Hawksbury and Yass have passed formal resolutions supporting this change. We’ve also had multiple Mayors and State Members write to the Minister for Local Government in support of this change. Including the Minister for Veterans, The Hon David Harris MP.

The Minister for Local Government, the Hon Ron Hoenig MP has responded to both the Guild, some of our members, and Councils, noting a review of the Local Government Regulation is currently underway and our proposal is being considered as part of that process.

Further, State Shadow Minister for Veterans and Local Government Tim James MP is supportive of the proposal and we are grateful for the additional attention he and his office are helping us bring to this issue.

While we are not quite there yet, momentum is building and we continue to advocate for change. You can continue to support this campaign by sending letters of support for this change to the Office for Local Government at olg@olg.nsw.gov.au or continue speaking with your State Member.

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No deterrence without retention: National Defence Strategy

Kelly Taylor — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:46:59 +0000

By Renee Wilson, CEO, Families of Veterans Guild

Yesterday the Australian Government announced the biggest peacetime defence spend in our nation’s history. Nuclear submarines. Ghost Shark drones. Hypersonic missiles. A strategy built for what is looking to be the most challenging era since World War II for our nation.

Buried deep in the document, there is a short section about people — our “most important capability” — with a thank you to ADF members and their families for their “continued commitment and service.” A thank you. After everything they give and will be expected to give. I am sure it is appreciated, but where is the firm commitment of an investment in people and their families in the $53bn boost to defence?

The 2026 National Defence Strategy set out yesterday should be a wake-up call for Australia. We are living in dangerous times and need people willing to stand in the path of that danger. Their families will also need to make extraordinary sacrifices so Australia can remain strong, peaceful, and secure — these families will carry the long-term consequences of their loved ones’ service. In the 98-page document families are only mentioned four times.

Meaningful action for families is a national imperative

Like in the Strategy, people are repeatedly described as Defence’s most important capability, yet they remain chronically underinvested in. While the rhetoric around people and defence and veteran families is shifting — with families finally starting to receive more airtime in Defence and veteran circles — it is time to move beyond words and turn that recognition into meaningful action and investment.

Meaningful action has been lacking for defence and veteran families for some time because the system of care and its key players assume:

Family support must be conditional on what has happened to a veteran.
Families are supported when the veteran is supported.
Families do not need support because they did not serve.

Our 2025 Veteran Families Survey conducted by YouGov, which spoke with nearly 600 family members of current and former ADF personnel, tells a different story. More than half (52%) of Australian defence and veteran families experienced mental health challenges. Anxiety. Depression. PTSD. They are twice as likely to face these challenges as the average Australian. Yet only 36% believe Australia’s mental health services service their unique needs.

Almost half also reported difficulties accessing basic healthcare. GPs. Specialists. Hospitals. Not specialist trauma care — basic healthcare. Furthermore, a third of those with a person with disability in their household couldn’t access the services they needed.

And Veteran families aren’t just sacrificing their health; they’re sacrificing their livelihood as well. Our survey showed they experience unemployment at more than three times the rate of the general population. Three times. Unsurprisingly, more than half are worried about their finances, which no doubt is being exacerbated by the current impact of the fuel crisis on our economy.

These are not edge cases. These are the families of the people we are now asking to crew our submarines, operate our drones, and staff the force that will supposedly deter conflict across the Indo-Pacific.

A self-reliant Australia must support defence and veteran families

The 2026 National Defence Strategy speaks of self-reliance. Of denial. Of deterrence. But there is nothing self-reliant about a force whose families are quietly breaking under the weight of service. There is no deterrence without retention. And there is no retention without genuinely supporting the people who sit at home through deployments, pack up their lives for the fourth posting in six years, and watch their own careers slowly disappear.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was explicit: families are central to the veteran system and are under-supported. That was not a suggestion. It was a finding.

We have the evidence. We have the data. We have the voices telling the government exactly what they need. What we do not yet have is veteran and defence families being recognised as the defence capability priority that they should be — not a welfare afterthought, but a core pillar of current and future capability.

The Families of Veterans Guild is calling, again, for a Ministerial Advisory Body dedicated to the needs of veteran and defence families. We are calling for the Veteran White Card for mental health to be extended to immediate family members. We are calling for family support to be named — explicitly, funded, and measured — in the next iteration of this strategy.

The Strategy and Integrated Investment Program contain a very serious $425 billion commitment to keeping Australia safe. We do not dispute the need. But you cannot build a force of that scale and ambition while continuing to treat its families as an afterthought or feel-good statement.

The families of our veterans and serving members enable defence. They champion it. They dedicate their lives to it. It is time the defence and its strategy said so — and tangibly proved its commitment.

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