The Service Pension is an (income and assets tested) income support pension, similar to the Age Pension or the Disability Support Pension paid by Centrelink. Note that a person cannot receive both the Service Pension and the Age Pension (or any other social security benefit, other than child-related payments).

Eligibility

The Service Pension may be paid to:

An eligible veteran includes:

Working out what kind of service qualifies a person for the Service Pension can be complex. If in doubt, visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs website or call 1800 838 372.

Rate of payment

The rates of payment for the Service Pension is the same as for the Age Pension.

The Service Pension can be paid at a single rate or couples rate, depending on the circumstances.

The amount a person receives on the Service Pension will depend upon their income and assets. Whether a person is single or a member of a couple will also be relevant for calculating the Pension rate.

For more information about the rates of payment and the income and assets tests, see the Department's ready reckoners.

Eligible partners and eligible former partners

A partner (whether married or de facto) of a veteran who is receiving or is eligible to receive a Service Pension may be entitled to the Service Pension Partner.

Specific eligibility criteria apply. For more information, see the Department of Veterans' Affairs webpage Service Pension for partners.

A person may also be eligible to receive a Service Pension Partner after they have separated from a veteran who is receiving or is eligible to receive a Service Pension. This type of Service Pension Partner is usually payable up to a maximum period of 12 months from the date of separation, and other qualifying criteria apply.

How to claim the Service Pension

The Department of Veterans' Affairs recommends that applicants wishing to claim the Service Pension set up a MyService account. MyService is the online platform for veterans and veteran families to carry out most of their Departmental business online. Learn more by visiting the Department of Veterans' Affairs MyService webpage or by calling the Department on 1800 838 372.

How to seek a review

A person unhappy with a decision relating to the Service Pension may be able to seek a review. Such a review is conducted by a Department Review Officer in the first instance. A request for a review should be made online via MyService or in writing within 3 months of receipt of the letter advising of the reviewable decision.

For a list of decisions that are reviewable, see the Department of Veterans' Affairs webpage Request a review for income support decisions.

The Review Officer will either affirm (not change) or set aside (cancel) the decision under review. The Review Officer's decision may itself be appealed in the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Legal advice should be sought before commencing any appeal in the ART, as costs may apply and there may be strict timeframes in which to lodge an appeal.

Other Service Pension allowances

A person receiving the Service Pension may also be entitled to:

For information about available supplements and allowances, see the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.

A War Widow(er) Pension is a compensatory payment to the widow(er) and/or child(ren) of a veteran who died as a result of eligible war or defence service.

A widow(er) can apply for this pension if they were legally married to, or in a de facto relationship with, an Australian veteran immediately before the veteran's death, and have not since remarried or commenced a new de facto relationship. Once on the pension, a recipient of a War Widow(er) Pension can continue to receive the pension if they subsequently remarry or enter into a de facto relationship.

For a child to be eligible for this pension, they must be a natural or adopted child of the veteran, and either under 16 years of age, or under 25 years of age if they are studying on a full time basis.

In certain circumstances, the War Widow(er) Pension will be paid automatically without regard to whether the veteran's death was as a result of eligible war service. This includes where the veteran was an ex-prisoner of war, or was receiving a disability pension at a special rate.

In other circumstances, a person must apply for the War Widow(er) Pension by completing the relevant claim form, which can be done online via MyService. Call 1800 838 372 or visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs website to learn more.

A decision about a War Widow(er) Pension can be reviewed - see Review by the Veterans' Review Board.

From 1 July 2026, veterans' compensation and rehabilitation will be managed by one scheme under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (Cth). The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (Cth) and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (Cth) closed to new claims on 30 June 2026. Applications already on foot will continue under the previous scheme. Payments in effect prior to 1 July 2026 are not affected.

The Department of Veterans' Affairs has produced a helpful information booklet explaining the key changes which can be accessed via the Department's website.

Available support

The Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (Cth) establishes a scheme to fund treatment, rehabilitation and compensation for current and former members of the Australian Defence Force. To learn who is and is not eligible for support, visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.

Some support is available without having to lodge a formal claim. Visit the Department's website for information about fully funded mental health support and free treatment for cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Some support is available while awaiting the outcome of a claim, including income support for those unable to work due to their mental health, and payment for treatment for a specified condition.

If a claim for support is accepted (on the basis that an injury or condition is related to service), the Department will conduct a needs assessment to determine the level of support and payments needed.

An applicant may be eligible for:

Those with accepted service-related injury may also be eligible for a range of rehabilitation supports, special types of Veteran Cards, household services (such as cleaning, shopping, laundry, and gardening), and attendant care (such as bathing, dressing, and feeding).

In some circumstances, compensation may be available to dependent family members of injured veterans.

Approval process

To be approved for compensation, a veteran's illness or disease must be accepted as being war-caused or defence-caused. This will be assessed using any relevant information which may include medical reports, service history, and employment history reports.

The claim must also satisfy the relevant Statement of Principles. These are legislative instruments that outline the factors that connect a particular medical condition, disease or illness with service. For a claim to be approved, at least one Statement of Principles factor must be related to eligible war service or defence service. Statements of Principles are determined by an independent statutory body known as the Repatriation Medical Authority. For more information and to view the Statements of Principles, visit the Repatriation Medical Authority website.

During the claim assessment process, a veteran may be assessed by a general practitioner or specialist to assist with the determination of the claim.

For more information about the claims process, visit the Department's website or call 1800 838 372.

Some decisions relating to claims under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (Cth) can be reviewed - see Review by the Veterans' Review Board.