RSL Victoria’s response to Minister Keogh’s speech regarding fee-for-service advocacy
To mark 12 months since the Federal Government’s response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Minister for Veteran Affairs Hon. Matt Keogh MP today addressed the National Press Club.
Among many topics covered which we will provide further analysis in the future, Minister Keogh announced changes to protect veterans and their families against fee-for-service advocates that strip a percentage of compensation money away from them.
This will involve creating an industry body with which veterans’ advocates must hold accreditation to charge fees.
RSL Victoria has led the way in advocating against these fee-for-service practices over the last two years, including a submission to the Senate inquiry into this matter in September, which can be found HERE.
RSL Victoria’s statement on fee-for-service advocacy from August 2025 can be read HERE.
In addition to the Press club address, the story was also covered in The Australian today.
In his speech, Minister Keogh backed RSL Victoria’s long-held concerns on the issues, saying he was “enraged to hear evidence that veterans are being charged staggering fees – things like $20,000 for a single day’s work by an advocate and charging commissions as high as 29 per cent of a veteran’s DVA compensation payment.”
Minster Keogh also endorsed the RSL’s role in providing free, qualified and trusted veteran advocate services.
“I want to be really clear with veterans and veteran families on this one – when choosing to use or recommend an advocate, you do not need to pay for something you can and will get for free,” he said.
“I encourage all veterans and veteran families to find a qualified, free-to-use advocate to support you on DVA’s advocacy register.”
RSL Victoria has maintained engagement with DVA and the Federal Government on this issue, including having DVA speak on the issue at our State Annual Conference in July 2025.
RSL Victoria President Dr Mark Schröffel said today’s announcement is a win for RSL Victoria’s work to protect veterans and families.
“We congratulate Minister Keogh and the Federal Government on recognising the unintended negative consequences of the initially commendable effort to speed up the claims system,” Dr Schröffel said.
“This was a loophole that was taking money out of our veterans’ pockets and I’m glad to see the move to tighten it.”
“I want to thank everyone within the RSL Victoria network who stood up for veterans and families and led a national conversation on the issue that has resulted in today’s changes.”
RSL Australia has also released a statement on the speech and changes, which can be found HERE.
You can watch Minister Keogh’s full address to the National Press Club on ABC iView or read HERE.
