DVA Factsheet HSV109 – More information may be obtained by selecting one of the links or by contacting the Advocate’s office located at Kenmore-Moggill RSL Block 5, Fairview Aged Care Pinjarra Hills. Contact numbers are located on this site under Advocacy and Welfare.
Purpose
This Factsheet is about non-liability health care treatment available to current and former members of the ADF, including who is eligible and how to apply to access treatment.
What is non-liability health care?
Non-liability health care allows former and current ADF personnel, depending on their eligibility, to receive treatment for the following conditions:
- Cancer (Malignant Neoplasm);
- Pulmonary Tuberculosis;
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD);
- Depressive Disorder;
- Anxiety Disorder;
- Alcohol Use Disorder; and
- Substance Use Disorder.
There is no need to establish that these conditions were caused by your service. However, the specific conditions for which you may be eligible to receive treatment depend on the period in which you served or, in some cases, the nature of your service (e.g. service on operational deployments).
Am I eligible?
All current and former members with continuous full-time service (CFTS) are eligible for treatment of the following conditions:
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD);
- Depressive Disorder;
- Anxiety Disorder;
- Alcohol Use Disorder; and
- Substance Use Disorder.
Non-liability health care treatment of Cancer (Malignant Neoplasm) and Pulmonary Tuberculosis is available to those with the following types of service:
- eligible war service under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA)
- operational service under the VEA
- warlike and non-warlike service under the VEA or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA)
- peacekeeping service
- hazardous service; or
- British Nuclear Test defence service as defined in the VEA.
- completed 3 years CFTS between 7 December 1972 and 6 April 1994; or
- were discharged on the grounds of invalidity or physical or mental incapacity to perform duties before completing 3 years CFTS between 7 December 1972 and 6 April 1994, but were engaged to serve not less than 3 years; or
- were a National Serviceman serving on 6 December 1972 and completed your contracted period of National Service.
How do I apply?
To apply for non-liability health care for cancer of pulmonary tuberculosis, you need to fill out application form D9215 Application for Health Care for Cancer (Malignant Neoplasm) and Tuberculosis and return it to DVA using the directions provided on the form.
There is no need to lodge an application form for non-liability health care for PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder. However, you can complete form D9213 Application for Health Care for Certain Mental Health Conditions, if you wish to do so. Alternatively, you can email your request for non-liability health care for these conditions to [email protected], or apply over the phone by calling DVA on the General Enquiries numbers listed at the end of this Factsheet.
You may need to provide proof of identity, and your service records will be examined to check your service eligibility.
For cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis, a diagnosis by an appropriately qualified health professional is also required as part of the application process. A diagnosis of cancer (malignant neoplasm) or pulmonary tuberculosis can be made by your treating medical practitioner.
For mental health conditions, a diagnosis is not required at the time of application in order for treatment to be approved. However, a diagnosis is required within six months of the date of approval if treatment is to continue past that period. A diagnosis can be made by a psychiatrist, a general practitioner (GP) or a clinical psychologist.
What treatment is covered?
A range of treatments may be available to you. These could include treatment from a general practitioner, medical specialist, psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist, psychiatrist, hospital services, specialist PTSD programs, pharmaceuticals, or oncologist services as required to treat the condition
If you are found to be eligible you will be issued with a DVA Health Card – for specific conditions (White Card). More information on the treatment available can be found in Factsheet HSV61 DVA Health Card – Specific Conditions (White).
How will this affect my compensation claims?
Non-liability health care entitlements are entirely separate to the process of claiming compensation. Compensation for accepted conditions is paid on the basis that the condition is related to your service. Non-liability health care treatment is provided regardless of the cause of your condition. This means that if you claim compensation for a condition for which you are also eligible to receive treatment under non-liability health care and the compensation claim is not accepted, you may continue to be eligible for non-liability health care.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this Factsheet is general in nature and does not take into account individual circumstances. You should not make important decisions, such as those that affect your financial or lifestyle position on the basis of information contained in this Factsheet. Where you are required to lodge a written claim for a benefit, you must take full responsibility for your decisions prior to the written claim being determined. You should seek confirmation in writing of any oral advice you receive from DVA.
Related Factsheets
Related Forms
- D9213 Application for Health Care for Certain Mental Health Conditions
- D9215 Application for Health Care for Cancer (Malignant Neoplasm) and Tuberculosis
More Information
DVA General Enquiries
Metro Phone: 133 254 *
Regional Phone: 1800 555 254 *
DVA Website: www.dva.gov.au
Factsheet Website: www.dva.gov.au/factsheets
* Calls from mobile phones and pay phones may incur additional charges.