RSL Victoria endorsed as preferred advocates for Australian Commando Association Victoria (ACAV)
RSL Victoria has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian Commando Association (ACAV), to ensure that Victorian commando veterans and their families receive proper welfare support and advocacy.
Under this MOU, RSL Victoria will be endorsed as the preferred providers of welfare support for ACAV members.
Whilst an MOU is not a binding legal contract and does not create financial obligations, it represents a formal agreement made between RSL Victoria and ACAV to ensure commando veterans and their families receive the compensation and support they need, at no personal cost.
Background
The ACAV represents serving and former members of Australia’s commando and special forces units, their families, and the families of those who have died.
Due to the intensity of their training and deployment, commandos are often at high risk of severe injury. This high-risk of injury often makes commandos susceptible to fee-charging operators, given they receive substantial payouts for their injury.
As of 1 July, all new claims for compensations and rehabilitation will be determined under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004. During this transition period, and especially in a period where fee-charging operators are active, it is vital we ensure veterans receive proper, cost-free welfare support and compensation advocacy.
How will the MOU work?
Under the MOU RSL Victoria and ACAV will work together to facilitate the welfare support of ACAV members and their families.
ACAV will:
- Identify members who may benefit from compensation advocacy or welfare support and refer them to RSL Victoria’s advocacy services
- Provide a referred member, with the referred member’s consent, with relevant service background to assist the advocate
- Maintain its own welfare response managed by ACAV’s own funds for immediate and local need
- Nominate a single point of contact for the purposes of the MOU.
As a result of ACAV’s referrals, RSL Victoria will:
- Accept referrals from ACAV and provide referred members with access to its accredited compensation advocates at no cost to the ACAV member
- Keep ACAV’s nominated contact informed, with the referred member’s consent, on the progress of the referral
- Share information with ACAV on advocacy availability and on developments that affect commando veterans’ entitlements
- Nominate a single point of contact for the purposes of the MOU.
As both ACAV and RSL Victoria have their own welfare channels, we will coordinate with ACAV to ensure ACAV members’ needs are met without duplication. In the case that a referred ACAV member also has an immediate welfare need that ACAV must address, ACAV will be able to provide local support through their own welfare channels while RSL Victoria looks after the compensation claim.
RSL Victoria and ACAV will refer to each other as cases progress, to ensure that any financial decisions regarding payments or grants are made by the appropriate body.
After every two years, the MOU will be reviewed. This MOU does not limit the control or independence of ACAV and RSL Victoria. Both organisations will have full control of its own resources, advocacy decisions, and welfare funds.
The MOU with ACAV will help ensure that more Victorian veterans are able to receive welfare support and compensation advocacy without being subjected to fee-charging operators.
We thank you for the ongoing support and commitment you have shown the veteran community and their families and are dedicated to ensuring our advocacy and welfare services can continue to support Victorian veterans and their families for years to come.
