How Long Does a DVA Claim Take? Processing Times 2026

DVA's processing times page, updated in October 2026, shows MRCA initial liability claims received in the last 12 months took an average of 116 days, and permanent impairment claims 171 days. Initial liability claims still waiting for a decision had been open for 193 days on average. The gap is large because that figure includes older claims from the backlog, so most new, straightforward claims are decided faster than the headline number suggests.

DVA received 101,157 claims in FY 2024–25 (13% more than the previous year) and finalised 102,957. In 2025–26 it received 109,221 claims, 8% more again, and at 30 June 2026 it had 103,074 claims on hand, 32,925 of them not yet allocated to an officer. This article explains what DVA’s processing data actually means, how long you’re realistically looking at, and what you can do to avoid the delays that push claims into the longer end of the range.

The headline numbers (as at August 2026)

DVA currently reports these figures for MRCA Initial Liability (IL) claims, which is the most common claim type.

The gap between 193 and 116 exists because DVA has been working through the oldest, most complex claims that built up during the backlog period. Those old claims drag the averages up, even though new claims are moving much faster. Of the 116 days for recent claims, 83 were time with DVA and 33 were time waiting on information from outside DVA. In August 2026, claims decided over the previous 12 months had averaged 326 days, which shows how much the oldest claims weigh on the figures.

If you lodged your claim recently and it's straightforward, about 4 months is a realistic expectation. If your claim is complex, involves multiple conditions, or requires specialist medical reports, 6 to 10 months is more likely.

How we got here: the backlog story

To understand the current numbers, you need to know what happened over the last four years.

In June 2022, DVA had 65,231 claims on hand. Two thirds of them (67%) hadn't even been allocated to an officer for processing. They were sitting in a queue, untouched. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide's interim report had just called for urgent action to eliminate the backlog.

The government responded by funding 500 additional claims processing staff. DVA's workforce on claims went from 544 full-time equivalent staff in June 2022 to 867 by February 2026. The unallocated backlog was cleared. Today, 69% of claims on hand are actively being worked on by an officer, and DVA aims to allocate new claims within two weeks of receipt.

But here's the catch. While DVA was hiring staff and clearing the backlog, claim volumes exploded. New claims are now coming in at a rate of up to 5,000 every two weeks. At 30 June 2026, DVA had 103,074 claims on hand, about 58% more than in June 2022.

More veterans are claiming, and they're claiming more conditions per claim. The average number of conditions in a single claim has risen from 2.6 in May 2022 to 4.1 in January 2026. Each condition requires a separate decision, so a single claim with four conditions takes significantly longer to process than a claim with two.

The processing time trend

The clearest improvement is in how quickly a claim reaches an officer. In 2022-23, MRCA IL claims waited an average of 332 days to be allocated. In 2025-26 that wait was 14 days, and in April 2026, 96.5% of initial liability claims were allocated within 14 days.

The share of claims on hand that are under 300 days old has also risen, from 55% in 2022-23 to 78% in 2025-26. The backlog is still there, but it is getting younger.

What eats up the time

DVA's processing clock starts the day you lodge your claim and stops the day a decision is made. That includes time that isn't in DVA's hands.

• Waiting on others takes around 45 days. DVA's figures show that is roughly how much of the average is spent waiting on information from outside DVA, most often reports from GPs and specialists. Some providers turn reports around in two weeks. Others take three months.
• Defence records can be slow. If DVA needs your service medical records or operational history from the Department of Defence, that's another external wait.
• Claim complexity matters. A claim with one condition and clear medical evidence will move much faster than a claim with five conditions across multiple body systems, each requiring a different specialist report.
• Priority cases get fast-tracked. DVA prioritises claims from veterans at risk, veterans experiencing financial hardship, and veterans with terminal conditions. This is the right thing to do, but it means other claims wait longer.

What you can do to speed things up

You can't control DVA's staffing or workload, but you can control the main things that cause delays.

Submit complete evidence from the start

The single biggest cause of delays is missing information. When DVA has to request additional medical reports, service records, or supporting documents, your claim goes to the back of a queue every time. Before you lodge, make sure you have a current diagnosis for each condition from your treating doctor, medical evidence that links each condition to your service (this is where a detailed claimant report form makes a real difference), and your service medical records, including PMKeyS health records and any paper records from unit medical centres.

If you can include specialist reports that specifically address the relevant Statement of Principles factors for each condition, you've done most of the delegate's investigative work for them.

Don't bundle too many conditions at once

The average claim now has 4.1 conditions. Each one needs a separate decision. If you have eight conditions to claim, consider whether it makes sense to lodge your strongest or most urgent conditions first as one claim, then follow up with the rest. This isn't always the right strategy (some conditions interact, and combined assessment can work in your favour for permanent impairment), but for initial liability, a smaller claim will generally be decided faster.

Respond quickly when DVA contacts you

When a delegate calls or writes to request information, the clock keeps ticking. Every week you take to respond is a week added to your processing time. If DVA calls and you miss it, call back the same day. If they ask for a document, send it within a week if you can.

Keep your treating doctors in the loop

Tell your GP and specialists that DVA may request reports, and ask them to prioritise these requests. Some providers don't realise a veteran's compensation claim is waiting on their report. A quick heads-up that DVA will be in touch can shave weeks off the time your claim spends waiting on them.

What you can access while you wait

Waiting months for a claim decision doesn't mean you have to wait months for treatment.

Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT)

PAMT lets DVA fund treatment while a claim is being decided, for 20 listed conditions including tinnitus, sensorineural hearing loss, osteoarthritis, sprain and strain, fracture, lumbar spondylosis and rotator cuff syndrome. It covers MRCA claims, and DRCA claims lodged before 1 July 2026, submitted by 30 June 2027. Treatment is funded until your claim is decided or 31 December 2027, whichever comes first.

Non-Liability Health Care (mental health)

If you have at least one day of continuous full-time ADF service, you can access free mental health treatment through DVA without needing to lodge a claim at all. This covers conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder. You don't need to prove a service connection. Call DVA on 1800 838 372 or apply through MyService.

Veteran Payment

If you've lodged a claim for a mental health condition and you can't work more than 8 hours a week while you're waiting for a decision, you may be eligible for a Veteran Payment. This provides income support during the claims process.

DRCA claims take longer

Everything above focuses on MRCA initial liability, which is the most commonly lodged claim type. DRCA claims have historically taken significantly longer.

As of mid-2025, DRCA IL claims were averaging around 530 days, with some taking over 700 days. DRCA permanent impairment claims averaged around 351 days. These longer timeframes reflect the complexity of older service records and the fact that DRCA claims often involve conditions from decades of service.

Since 1 July 2026, every new claim is decided under the improved MRCA, so the distinction between MRCA and DRCA processing times will disappear over time. But DRCA claims lodged before then are still being decided under the DRCA, and veterans with those claims may continue to see the longer timeframes until they are finalised.

Keep perspective

The numbers are getting better, even if they don't look like it at first glance. In 2022-23, claims waited an average of 332 days just to reach an officer. Now it is 14 days, and new claims are being decided in around 116 days on average. DVA reports that properly completed claims for presumptive liability conditions can be decided in under two weeks.

The problem is volume. More veterans are claiming than ever before, with more conditions per claim than ever before. DVA is processing more claims per month than at any point in its history, but intake keeps pace.

If your claim has been sitting for longer than you expected, or you're not sure whether it's on track, get in touch. We can check where things are at, make sure nothing's been missed, and help you chase up any outstanding information that might be holding things up.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a DVA claim take in 2026?

DVA reports that MRCA initial liability claims received in the 12 months to October 2026 took an average of 116 days. Claims still waiting for a decision had been open for 193 days on average, because that figure includes older claims from the backlog. For a new, straightforward claim, around four months is a realistic expectation.

Why are there two different DVA processing times?

They measure different groups of claims. The 116-day average covers claims received in the last 12 months. The 193-day figure is the average age of claims still waiting for a decision, which includes older claims that sat in the backlog. If you're lodging a new claim today, the 116-day figure is the better guide.

What types of DVA claims take the longest?

Claims involving multiple conditions, retrospective medical discharges, CSC invalidity reclassifications, and complex incapacity payment calculations typically take the longest. Initial liability claims with straightforward SoP factor connections resolve fastest. Appeals and VRB hearings operate on a different timeline entirely and are not included in the standard processing time data.

How can I speed up my DVA claim?

The most effective way to reduce processing time is submitting a complete, evidence-supported claim that satisfies all SoP factor requirements before lodgement. DVA cannot decide a claim that is missing information, it will be paused and a letter sent requesting more details, which adds weeks to the timeline. Claims prepared and lodged through a qualified advocate with all evidence attached from day one are significantly less likely to be delayed.