PROBLEM:

The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) is saying one thing publicly and doing another in practice. They are denying their changes are adversely affecting veterans when the data proves otherwise. They are not engaging with providers, which is in direct contradiction to the Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide’s recommendations

WHAT IS HAPPENING:

At Senate Estimates (March 2026), DVA stated that:

• Veterans can choose their own medical providers
• Veterans are not required to use specific assessment providers
• Claims are progressing through the system
• DVA appears to have privately contracted Hearing Australia to perform assessments and veterans who have not used these clinics have ongoing pending determinations.

However, in frontline practice, we are seeing:

• Veterans being told their claims will not progress unless they use MLCOA
• DVA staff continue directing veterans to specific providers
• Data requested by the Senate on provider outcomes has not been supplied
• Current serving veterans are being told they must have assessments and reports completed by ADF Medical Officers or go to MLCOA. ADF does not have capacity to perform.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR VETERANS:

• Veterans are given conflicting informaton
• Real choice of provider is limited
• Trust in the system is undermined

Veterans are being forced to navigate a system where rules are unclear, inconsistent and where veteran outcomes are not the priority.

WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:

• Nearly 100,000 claims are already in the system
• Over 100,000 additional claims are expected from July 2026

If the inconsistencies remain delays will increase, confusion will worsen and the system pressure will intensify. This will mean independent providers leave the sector, and veterans are left with no choice and limited medical advocates.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Hold DVA to account over their inconsistencies
• Ensure DVA has their own Senate Estimates hearing instead of following Defence
• Establish independent oversight to verify compliance
• Provide transparent data on provider use and outcomes
• Work with independent providers to strengthen their position instead of pushing them to leave the sector