RSL Victoria Statement on $5,000 allied health services cap
From 1 July 2027, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) $5,000 annual monetary limit on allied health services for Veteran Card holders comes into effect.
RSL Victoria has significant concerns about the annual cap and the impact it will have on veterans and their families.
The cap is designed to help limit “unnecessary over servicing” by a small number of allied health providers who have been found to be taking advantage of veterans.
The RSL fully supports strict limitations being placed on any business or provider found to be taking financial advantage of any veteran or family member. However, the annual cap potentially places barriers for more than 25,000 veterans currently accessing $5,000 or more worth of services from allied health providers each calendar year, rather than dealing with those allied health providers found to be over servicing.
RSL Victoria joins RSL Australia in calling on the Federal Government to develop a mechanism that targets the small number of allied health providers who are overservicing, rather than creating barriers for veterans.
The veteran community should not be affected by DVA measures – unethical practitioners should be.
RSL Australia has asked DVA why an annual cap is being imposed on 25,000+ veterans rather than a mechanism to limit overservicing providers directly. DVA’s answer remains unclear.
DVA has stated that veterans with a “demonstrated critical need” will continue to be financially supported above the $5,000 threshold. However, information about the arrangements for implementing this measure won’t be clear until consultations with the sector commence in August 2026.
RSL Victoria and RSL Australia will continue to advocate for a model that places limitations on overservicing allied health providers, not veterans.
To read more about DVA’s $5,000 cap on allied health services, click HERE.
We will continue to update the network on this matter as further information becomes available.
If any veterans in your Sub-Branch community require support, please contact RSL Victoria’s Veteran Central via 1800 MILVET (1800 645 838) or ve************@********om.au.
