RSL Victoria statement on fee-for-service advocacy
RSL Victoria Statement on Fee-for-service advocacy
RSL Victoria today reiterated its view on the value of its own free advocacy services versus private fee-for-service providers.
“RSL Victoria does not endorse the use of fee-for-service advocates operating within Victoria. We strongly believe that veterans should use the free advocacy services provided by RSL Victoria and its Sub-Branch network,” said RSL Victoria President Dr Mark Schröffel.
“RSL Victoria’s advocates are trained and authorised, with a collective long-standing strategic working relationship with the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
“We do not charge veterans; we are fully insured and have 110 years’ worth of credibility and integrity in providing advocacy.”
“Additionally, the RSL does not accept referral payments from third parties as part of our advocacy processes.”
At the recent RSL Victoria State Annual Conference, DVA spoke strongly about its concerns on veterans using fee-for-service advocates where compensation funds are diverted away from veterans.
DVA confirmed that processing of claims is no faster for these advocates.
“We strongly encourage all Sub-Branches and veterans to continue utilising RSL Victoria’s advocacy services as the appropriate and endorsed pathway for assistance.”
See below to read the full RSL Victoria Policy Statement on this issue.
RSL victoria advocacy services policy statement
RSL Victoria is committed to delivering high-quality free advocacy and wellbeing support services to veterans across the state.
Our services are underpinned by significant, ongoing investment of financial and organisational resources and by strong, long-standing strategic and professional working relationships with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
These foundations ensure that veterans who engage with RSL Victoria receive comprehensive support in relation to claims, pensions, and other entitlements.
RSL Victoria does not endorse the use of fee-for-service advocates operating within Victoria.
It is the policy of RSL Victoria that fee-for-service advocates are not to be associated with RSL Sub-Branch venues, nor are they permitted to use or imply association with the RSL name, brand or any affiliated trademarks or logos.
This includes any representation that may cause confusion among veterans about the nature or endorsement of advocacy support available.
Our first concern is the veteran.
Our second concern is to protect the integrity and trust placed in RSL Victoria’s advocacy services.
RSL Victoria’s veteran support model is not transactional.
We do not charge veterans for advocacy assistance.
Our approach is based on building enduring, supportive connections between veterans and the broader veteran community through our in-house Military Compensation Advocacy Team and the Sub-Branch advocacy network.
Our advocates are trained and authorised under the Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP) with several also holding legal qualifications.
Our Advocacy Team has a comprehensive understanding of DVA processes and policies, and importantly, maintains a collaborative and effective working relationship with DVA, which enables timely and informed management of veteran claims.
RSL Victoria also maintains comprehensive professional indemnity and public liability insurance coverage for its advocacy activities. Our advocates are further bound by a robust Code of Conduct that ensures services are delivered ethically, safely and in line with professional expectations.
These rules are designed to ensure that all advocacy provided under the RSL Victoria banner is impartial, accountable, and exclusively focused on the wellbeing and rights of veterans.
RSL Victoria believes that there is limited benefit to veterans engaging with fee-for-service arrangements, and that some may significantly disadvantage those veterans who engage with them.
Contrary to claims made, these arrangements are not demonstrably faster.
This was confirmed by DVA Deputy Secretary Policy & Programs, Andrew Kefford PSM, during his address at the RSL Victoria State Annual Conference.
Furthermore, we believe that in most cases fee-for-service advocates are unable to offer the same depth of connection or strategic insight into DVA systems as RSL Victoria, nor do they provide the long-term community-based support that we are offer through our Veteran and Family Services team and statewide Sub-Branch network.
For these reasons, RSL Victoria does not permit Sub-Branches to engage paid advocates under a fee-for-service arrangement. Where additional capacity or support is needed, Sub-Branches are encouraged to contact the State Branch for advice and access to appropriate services.
Our network is structured to provide coordinated and scalable support to all Sub-Branches, regardless of their location or size.
While we do operate a prioritisation system based on the nature and urgency of individual cases, our model is designed to support efficient claim progression, leveraging both our internal expertise and partnerships with other ESOs, and trusted and reputable preferred medical service providers.
Veterans accessing support through RSL Victoria can be assured they are receiving trusted, experienced, and accountable assistance.
RSL Victoria holds a principled and long-standing position of strong opposition to commercial, for-profit operators seeking to monetise the veteran support system and profit from the DVA compensation system. In 1920 Senator Edward Millen, Australia’s first Minister for Repatriation, in opposing those who sought to profit from soldiers who had returned from the horrors on the Great War declared in parliament:
“I come now to some of the interested parties who are attacking us. They seem to mistake the purpose for which the Repatriation Department was created. This Department was not created to look after their interests, but those of the soldiers. The Department was not created to place fees in the pockets of private people.”
RSL Victoria continues to hold true to these foundational ideals and believe that the support of veterans should never be commoditised or exploited for private profit.
It remains committed to supporting all veterans and their families in a way that upholds our values of service, integrity, and community.
We strongly encourage all Sub-Branches and veterans to continue utilising RSL Victoria’s advocacy services as the appropriate and endorsed pathway for assistance.
