Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated Acts(1) A person who requests a review under section 93Z may withdraw the request at any time before it is determined by the Commission.
(2) To withdraw the request, the person must give written notice of withdrawal to the Secretary and the notice must be lodged at an office of the Department in Australia.
(3) Subject to section 93ZA, a person who withdraws a request for review may subsequently make another request for review of the same decision.
Note: Section 93ZA provides that a person who wants to request a review of a decision must do so within 3 months after the person has received notice of the decision.
Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
Act No. 27 of 1986 as amended
This
compilation was prepared on 14 February 2012
taking into account amendments
up to Act No. 169 of 2011
Volume 3 includes:
Table of Contents
Sections 94- 216
The text of any of those amendments not in force
on that
date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments that have
been incorporated may be
affected by application provisions that are set out
in the Notes section
Contents
Part VI--Allowances and other benefits 1
94.......... Interpretation ....................................................................................... 1
96.......... Application .......................................................................................... 1
Division 2--Eligibility for allowances and other benefits 3
97.......... Clothing allowance .............................................................................. 3
98.......... Attendant allowance ............................................................................ 4
98A....... Bereavement payment in respect of partnered disabled veterans ......... 6
98AA.... Bereavement payments in respect of certain single, disabled veterans . 8
98B....... Funeral benefits--automatic grant to estate of certain deceased veterans 9
99.......... Further funeral benefits--veterans ...................................................... 9
100........ Funeral benefits--dependants of deceased veterans .......................... 12
102........ Decoration allowance ........................................................................ 13
103........ Victoria Cross allowance .................................................................. 14
104........ Recreation transport allowance .......................................................... 15
105........ Vehicle assistance scheme ................................................................. 17
106........ Special assistance .............................................................................. 18
108........ Loss of earnings allowance ............................................................... 19
109........ Advances on account of loss of earnings allowance ......................... 23
110........ Travelling expenses ........................................................................... 24
111........ Application ........................................................................................ 26
112........ Time for applying for certain benefits ............................................... 27
113........ Time for applying for funeral benefit ................................................ 28
114........ Commencement of payment of certain allowances ............................ 29
115........ Review of decision etc. ..................................................................... 30
115A..... Definitions ........................................................................................ 32
115B..... Making of the Scheme ...................................................................... 33
Division 2--Provisions relating to the income of veterans who participate in vocational rehabilitation programs 35
115C..... Rate of pension while on program .................................................... 35
115D..... Reduced daily pension amount--pensions under Parts II and IV ..... 35
115E...... Application for increase in reduced daily pension amount ................ 38
115F...... Determination by the Commission .................................................... 38
115G..... Excluded income amount--invalidity service pensions ..................... 39
Division 3--Recovery of cost of rehabilitation 40
115H..... Recovery of cost of rehabilitation ...................................................... 40
115J...... Where a person receives a notice under subsection 115H(6) ............ 41
115K..... Recovery of amount by the Commonwealth ..................................... 42
115L...... Determination of amount of costs of rehabilitation programs ............ 43
Part VIB--Prisoner of war recognition supplement 44
Division 1--Eligibility for prisoner of war recognition supplement 44
115M.... Eligibility for prisoner of war recognition supplement ...................... 44
115N..... When prisoner of war recognition supplement is payable ................. 45
Division 2--Rate of prisoner of war recognition supplement 47
115P...... Rate of prisoner of war recognition supplement ................................ 47
Division 3--Claims for prisoner of war recognition supplement 48
115Q..... Making of claims .............................................................................. 48
115R..... Determination of claims .................................................................... 48
Part VII--Veterans' Children Education Scheme 49
116........ Interpretation ..................................................................................... 49
116A..... Determination of class of persons for the purposes of paragraph (e) of the definition of eligible child in subsection 116(1) ............................................................................................... 51
116B..... Person may apply for determination under subsection 116C(2) ........ 52
116C..... Commission may determine that a person is a member of a class determined under section 116A 53
116D..... Review of Commission's decision under subsection 116C(1) .......... 53
117........ Preparation of the Scheme ................................................................. 54
118........ Commission may provide benefits under Scheme ............................. 55
Part VIIAA--Education entry payment 56
118AA.. Eligibility ........................................................................................... 56
118AAB Need for a claim .............................................................................. 56
118AAC Entitlement to and amount of payment ............................................. 57
118AAD Payment to be refunded ................................................................... 57
Part VIIA--Veterans supplement 58
Division 1--Eligibility for veterans supplement 58
118A..... Veterans supplement for dependants of deceased veterans or for persons eligible for pharmaceutical benefits 58
118B..... Veterans supplement for certain Part II and Part IV pensioners or for World War 1 veterans 58
Division 2--Rate of veterans supplement 60
118C..... Rate of veterans supplement--section 118A ..................................... 60
118D..... Rate of veterans supplement--section 118B ..................................... 60
Part VIIAB--Defence Force Income Support Allowance and related payments 61
118N..... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 61
118NA.. Definitions ........................................................................................ 62
Division 2--Defence Force Income Support Allowance 64
Subdivision A--Payment of Defence Force Income Support Allowance 64
118NB.. Payment of Defence Force Income Support Allowance .................... 64
Subdivision B--Rate of Defence Force Income Support Allowance 65
118NC.. Rate of Defence Force Income Support Allowance .......................... 65
Subdivision C--Special rules for the Social Security Act 68
118ND.. Bereavement payments under the Social Security Act ....................... 68
118NE... Remote Area Allowance under the Social Security Act .................... 71
Subdivision A--Payment of DFISA bonus 73
118NF... Payment of DFISA bonus ................................................................ 73
118NG.. When DFISA bonus is to be paid ..................................................... 73
118NH.. Payment of bonus after death ............................................................ 73
Subdivision B--Amount of DFISA bonus 75
118NI.... Amount of DFISA bonus ................................................................. 75
118NIA. Top up of DFISA bonus for social security top up ........................... 75
Subdivision C--DFISA bonus bereavement payment 76
118NIB. Qualification for DFISA bonus bereavement payment ..................... 76
118NIC. Amount of DFISA bonus bereavement payment .............................. 76
118NID. Payment of DFISA bonus bereavement payment ............................. 76
118NIE. Payment of DFISA bonus bereavement payment after death ............ 77
Division 4--DFISA-like payments etc. under regulations 78
118NJ... DFISA-like payments etc. under regulations .................................... 78
Part VIIAD--Seniors supplement 80
118P...... Eligibility for seniors supplement ...................................................... 80
118PA... When seniors supplement is payable ................................................. 81
Division 2--Rate of seniors supplement 82
118PB... Rate of seniors supplement ............................................................... 82
Division 3--Payment of seniors supplement 83
118PC... Payment of seniors supplement ......................................................... 83
Part VIIC--Seniors health card 84
Division 1--Eligibility for and entitlement to a seniors health card 84
118V..... Eligibility for seniors health card ....................................................... 84
118W.... Entitlement to a seniors health card ................................................... 87
118X..... Social Security cardholder not entitled .............................................. 87
Division 2--Claim for seniors health card 88
118Y..... Need for a claim ................................................................................ 88
118Z...... Who can claim? ................................................................................. 88
118ZA... Making a claim .................................................................................. 88
118ZC... Claimant must be an Australian resident and in Australia ................. 88
118ZD... Claim may be withdrawn .................................................................. 89
Division 3--Investigation of claim 90
118ZE... Secretary to investigate claim and submit it to Commission .............. 90
Division 4--Consideration and determination of claim 91
118ZF... Duties of Commission in relation to claim ........................................ 91
118ZG... Entitlement determination .................................................................. 92
118ZH... Date of effect of determination .......................................................... 92
Division 5--Cardholder's obligations 93
118ZI.... Secretary may require notice of the happening of event or a change in circumstances 93
118ZJ.... Secretary may require particular information relevant to eligibility for seniors health card 94
118ZJA. When copy of notice of assessment of taxable income to be given to Department 96
Division 6--Continuation, variation and termination 97
118ZK... Continuing effect of determination .................................................... 97
118ZL... Person ceases to be entitled to card automatically--recipient complying with section 118ZI notification obligations .......................................................................................................... 97
118ZM.. Person ceases to be entitled to card automatically--recipient not complying with section 118ZI notification obligations .......................................................................................................... 98
118ZN... Determination that a person ceases to be entitled to a seniors health card 98
118ZO... Person may cease to be entitled to a seniors health card for failure to comply with section 118ZJ notice 99
118ZP... Resumption of entitlement ................................................................. 99
118ZQ... Date of effect of favourable determination ...................................... 100
118ZR... Date of effect of adverse determination ........................................... 100
Division 7--Review of decisions 101
118ZS... Review of certain decisions ............................................................. 101
118ZT... Application for review .................................................................... 101
118ZU... Commission's powers where request for review ............................ 101
118ZV... Date of effect of certain review decisions ........................................ 102
118ZW.. Commission must make written record of review decision and reasons .. 102
118ZX... Person who requested review to be notified of decision ................. 102
118ZY... Powers of Commission to gather evidence ..................................... 103
118ZZ... Withdrawal of request for review .................................................... 104
Division 8--Seniors Health Card Income Test Calculator 105
118ZZA Seniors Health Card Income Test Calculator ................................... 105
Part VIID--2006 one-off payment to older Australians 110
118ZZB. 2006 one-off payment to older Australians ..................................... 110
118ZZC. Amount of the one-off payment ...................................................... 111
118ZZD Claim not required for 2006 one-off payment to older Australians . 111
118ZZE. Payment of 2006 one-off payment to older Australians .................. 112
118ZZF. Debts arising in respect of 2006 one-off payment to older Australians 112
Part VIIE--2007 one-off payment to older Australians 114
118ZZG 2007 one-off payment to older Australians ..................................... 114
118ZZH Amount of the one-off payment ...................................................... 115
118ZZI.. Claim not required for 2007 one-off payment to older Australians . 115
118ZZJ.. Payment of 2007 one-off payment to older Australians .................. 115
118ZZK. Debts arising in respect of 2007 one-off payment to older Australians 115
Part VIIF--2008 one-off payment to older Australians 118
118ZZL. 2008 one-off payment to older Australians ..................................... 118
118ZZM Amount of the one-off payment ...................................................... 119
118ZZN Claim not required for 2008 one-off payment to older Australians . 119
118ZZO Payment of 2008 one-off payment to older Australians .................. 119
118ZZP. Debts arising in respect of 2008 one-off payment to older Australians 119
Part VIIG--Economic security strategy payment 122
118ZZQ Eligibility for economic security strategy payment .......................... 122
118ZZR. Amount of economic security strategy payment .............................. 123
118ZZS. Claim not required for economic security strategy payment ............ 123
118ZZT. Payment of economic security strategy payment ............................. 123
118ZZU Debts arising in respect of economic security strategy payment ...... 123
Part VIII--General provisions applicable to pensions etc. 126
119........ Commission not bound by technicalities ......................................... 126
120........ Standard of proof ............................................................................ 128
120A..... Reasonableness of hypothesis to be assessed by reference to Statement of Principles 130
120B..... Reasonable satisfaction to be assessed in certain cases by reference to Statement of Principles 131
121........ Instalments of pension .................................................................... 132
122........ Payment of pension ......................................................................... 135
122A..... Pension or supplement may be paid to bank etc. ............................. 136
122B..... Direct deductions at person's request .............................................. 137
122C..... Payment of pension or allowance outside Australia ........................ 138
122D..... Deductions of DFISA, DFISA bonus and DFISA bonus bereavement payment paid to Commissioner of Taxation ........................................................................................................ 138
122E...... Deductions of DFISA paid to Child Support Registrar .................. 139
123........ Interpretation ................................................................................... 139
123A..... Payment of pension etc. on death of person .................................... 140
123B..... Distribution where deceased leaves valid will ................................. 141
123C..... Intestacy .......................................................................................... 143
123D..... Statutory order of distribution ......................................................... 143
123E...... Non-distributable amounts .............................................................. 144
124........ Termination of pension ................................................................... 144
125........ Pensions etc. absolutely inalienable ................................................. 146
126........ Death of claimant ............................................................................ 146
126A..... Death of a person who has not made a formal claim etc. ................. 147
127........ Power to obtain information ............................................................ 148
128........ Secretary may obtain information etc. ............................................. 150
128A..... Provision of tax file numbers .......................................................... 153
129........ Self-incrimination ............................................................................ 156
129A..... Manner of giving notice or other document .................................... 156
130........ Furnishing of information ............................................................... 157
131........ Interpretation ................................................................................... 157
132........ Payment of travelling expenses in certain cases .............................. 157
132A..... Advance of travelling expenses ....................................................... 160
Part IX--Veterans' Review Board 162
133........ Interpretation ................................................................................... 162
Division 2--Continuance of Veterans' Review Board 163
134........ Continuance of Veterans' Review Board ........................................ 163
Division 3--Review by the Board of decisions 164
135........ Review of decisions in respect of pensions and attendant allowances 164
136........ Application for review .................................................................... 167
137........ Secretary to prepare report .............................................................. 168
138........ Board not bound by technicalities etc. ............................................. 169
139........ Decision of Board ........................................................................... 170
140........ Statements of decisions of the Board etc. ........................................ 170
140A..... Correction of errors in decisions or statements of reasons .............. 172
Division 4--Organization of the Board 173
141........ Constitution of Board for exercise of powers ................................. 173
142........ Principal Member responsible for arrangement of business ............ 173
143........ Members to constitute Board .......................................................... 173
144........ Member ceasing to be member etc. ................................................. 174
145........ Places of sitting ............................................................................... 175
Division 5--Proceedings before the Board 176
146........ Principal Member or Senior Member to preside at hearing ............. 176
147........ Parties to review before Board ........................................................ 176
148........ Procedure of Board ......................................................................... 177
149........ Questions to be decided by majority of Board ................................ 179
150........ Hearing to be in private except in special circumstances ................. 179
151........ Powers of Board ............................................................................. 180
152........ Request to Secretary for documents etc. .......................................... 181
153........ Information may be made available to parties .................................. 181
154........ Period of operation of certain decisions of Board ........................... 182
155........ Withdrawal of application ............................................................... 182
155AA.. Power to dismiss application--initial consideration ........................ 183
155AB.. Power to dismiss application--subsequent consideration ............... 184
155AC.. Representation of applicant where outcome could be dismissal of application 185
155A..... Review by Administrative Appeals Tribunal .................................. 186
Division 6--Date of operation of decisions of Board 187
156........ Date of operation of decision by Board ........................................... 187
157........ Dates that may be specified ............................................................. 187
Division 7--Membership of the Board 190
158........ Appointment of members of Board ................................................. 190
159........ Terms of appointment ..................................................................... 190
160........ Remuneration and allowances of members ..................................... 190
161........ Acting members .............................................................................. 191
162........ Leave of absence ............................................................................. 192
163........ Resignation ..................................................................................... 192
164........ Removal from office ....................................................................... 192
165........ Disclosure of interests ..................................................................... 194
166........ Delegation ....................................................................................... 196
167........ Protection of members and witnesses ............................................. 196
168........ Failure of witness to attend ............................................................. 196
169........ Refusal to be sworn or to answer questions etc. ............................. 197
170........ Contempt of Board .......................................................................... 198
170A..... Medical expenses ............................................................................ 198
170B..... Travelling expenses for obtaining medical evidence ........................ 199
170C..... Advance of travelling expenses ....................................................... 200
171........ Fees for witnesses ........................................................................... 201
172........ Staff to assist Board ........................................................................ 201
173........ Oath or affirmation of office ........................................................... 201
Part X--Review of decisions by Administrative Appeals Tribunal 202
174........ Interpretation ................................................................................... 202
175........ Applications for review ................................................................... 202
176........ Application of Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act ...................... 204
177........ Effective dates of certain determinations relating to payment of pension or seniors health card 207
178........ Period of operation of certain decisions of Administrative Appeals Tribunal 209
Part XI--The Repatriation Commission 211
Division 1--Establishment, functions and powers 211
179........ Continuance of Commission ........................................................... 211
180........ Functions of Commission ............................................................... 211
180A..... Determination by Commission ........................................................ 212
181........ Powers of Commission ................................................................... 215
Division 2--Constitution and meetings of Commission 217
182........ Membership of the Commission ..................................................... 217
183........ President and Deputy President ...................................................... 217
184........ Appointment of Secretary as a Commissioner and President .......... 218
185........ Remuneration and allowances ......................................................... 219
186........ Leave of absence ............................................................................. 219
187........ Resignation ..................................................................................... 219
188........ Termination of appointment ............................................................ 219
189........ Commissioner to disclose any interest in claims for pensions etc. .. 221
190........ Commissioner to disclose other interests ........................................ 222
191........ Acting commissioners ..................................................................... 223
192........ Acting President or Deputy President ............................................. 224
193........ Appointment to act as President and also Secretary ........................ 226
194........ Appointments .................................................................................. 229
195........ Meetings ......................................................................................... 230
196........ Staff ................................................................................................ 232
Part XIA--The Repatriation Medical Authority 233
Division 1--Establishment, functions and powers 233
196A..... Establishment of Authority ............................................................. 233
196B..... Functions of Authority .................................................................... 233
196C..... Powers of Authority with respect to investigations ......................... 240
196CA.. Authority not required to investigate certain requests ...................... 241
196CB... Authority may consolidate requests ................................................ 242
196E...... Request for an investigation, review etc. ......................................... 242
196F...... Submissions to the Authority .......................................................... 243
196G..... Notice of investigation .................................................................... 243
196H..... Copyright in submissions ............................................................... 244
196I....... Access to information ..................................................................... 245
196J...... Notice of decision not to make etc. Statement of Principles ............ 245
196K..... Repatriation Medical Authority to send information to Review Council 245
196KA.. Definitions for the purposes of the MRCA ..................................... 246
Division 2--Constitution and meetings 247
196L...... Membership .................................................................................... 247
196M.... Qualifications .................................................................................. 247
196N..... Tenure of office ............................................................................... 247
196O..... Resignation ..................................................................................... 247
196P...... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 247
196Q..... Acting Chairperson ......................................................................... 248
196R..... Meetings ......................................................................................... 248
196S...... Remuneration and allowances ......................................................... 248
Division 3--Staff and consultants 250
196T...... Staff ................................................................................................ 250
196U..... Consultants ..................................................................................... 250
Part XIB--The Specialist Medical Review Council 251
Division 1--Establishment and functions 251
196V..... Establishment of Council ................................................................ 251
196W.... Functions of Review Council .......................................................... 251
196X..... Notification of decision of Review Council to be notified in Gazette 254
196Y..... Request for review of contents of Statement of Principles etc. ........ 254
196Z...... Request for review of decision of Repatriation Medical Authority not to carry out an investigation 256
196ZA... Submissions to Review Council ..................................................... 256
196ZB... Notice of investigation .................................................................... 257
196ZC... Copyright in submissions ............................................................... 258
196ZD... Access to information ..................................................................... 258
Division 2--Constitution and meetings 259
196ZE... Membership .................................................................................... 259
196ZF... Qualifications .................................................................................. 259
196ZG... Tenure of office ............................................................................... 259
196ZH... Resignation ..................................................................................... 260
196ZI.... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 260
196ZJ.... Acting Convener ............................................................................. 260
196ZK... Conduct of reviews ......................................................................... 260
196ZL... Remuneration and allowances ......................................................... 261
196ZM.. Staff ................................................................................................ 262
Division 4--Payment of medical and travelling expenses 263
196ZN... Medical expenses ............................................................................ 263
196ZO... Travelling expenses for obtaining medical evidence ........................ 264
196ZP... Advance of travelling expenses ....................................................... 265
197A..... Saving and transitional provisions .................................................. 266
197........ Pensions etc. not for certain members of the Defence Force ........... 266
198........ Variations of rates of certain pensions ............................................ 267
198A..... Variation of rates of orphan's pension ............................................ 271
198D..... Variation of rates of certain allowances etc. .................................... 272
198F...... Indexation of veterans supplement .................................................. 274
198FA... Indexation of Victoria Cross allowance .......................................... 275
198FB... Rates for service pension and income support supplement increased on 20 September 2009 277
198G..... 1 July 2000 increase in certain amounts .......................................... 278
198GA.. 1 July 2000 increase in rent assistance amounts .............................. 279
198H..... Adjustment of amounts following 1 July 2000 increase ................. 280
198J...... 1 July 2000 increase in income test free area ................................... 285
198K..... 1 July 2000 increase in assets test free area ..................................... 285
198L...... 1 July 2000 increase in income/assets reduction limit ..................... 286
198M.... Rounding off provisional replacement amounts .............................. 286
198N..... Cancellation of entitlement to pension ............................................. 287
199........ Appropriation .................................................................................. 287
200........ Commission may accept contributions ............................................ 288
201........ Commission may administer trusts ................................................. 288
202........ Trustees for pensioners ................................................................... 290
202A..... Commission or public servant acting as trustee ............................... 292
202B..... Other person acting as trustee ......................................................... 293
203........ Arrangements with Governments of other countries ....................... 293
204........ Debt recovery relating to payment of comparable foreign pension .. 294
205........ Recovery of overpayments .............................................................. 294
205AAA Notices in respect of debt .............................................................. 298
205AAB Interest on debt .............................................................................. 299
205AAC Determination that interest not to be payable ................................. 301
205AAD Administrative charge ................................................................... 302
205AAE Penalty interest rate ......................................................................... 302
205AA.. Recovery of overpayment by deduction from other pension, benefit or allowance 302
205AB.. Recovery of certain amounts from financial institutions .................. 303
205A..... Commission may take action in relation to money owing to pensioners .. 305
205B..... Certain decisions of Commission reviewable under Social Security Act etc. 307
206........ Waiver etc. of debts ......................................................................... 308
208........ Offences .......................................................................................... 308
209........ Multiple offences ............................................................................ 310
210........ Judicial notice to be taken of certain matters .................................... 311
210A..... Evidence .......................................................................................... 311
211........ Order for repayment of pension etc. ................................................ 312
212........ Delegation by Minister .................................................................... 313
213........ Delegation by Commission ............................................................. 314
214........ Delegation by Secretary .................................................................. 315
214A..... Telephone access to offices at cheap rate ......................................... 315
215........ Annual report .................................................................................. 315
216........ Regulations ..................................................................................... 316