DVA Rehabilitation Programs Explained

DVA funds rehabilitation for veterans with accepted conditions. The purpose is to help you return to work, retrain for a different career, or manage your conditions so you can function as well as possible in daily life. Rehabilitation covers medical rehabilitation (treatment and therapy to improve your physical or mental health), vocational rehabilitation (retraining, education, or job placement to help you return to work), and psychosocial rehabilitation (support for social functioning, community participation, and daily living skills).

Rehabilitation is available under the MRCA and, from 1 July 2026, under the improved MRCA for DRCA veterans as well.

What DVA rehabilitation covers

Medical rehabilitation

DVA funds treatment programs beyond your standard medical care. This can include intensive physiotherapy programs, pain management programs, psychological therapy programs, residential rehabilitation programs (for PTSD, substance use, or pain), exercise physiology programs, and occupational therapy.

Vocational rehabilitation

If your conditions prevent you from returning to your previous role but you have residual work capacity, DVA can fund retraining, education courses (including university), career counselling, job search assistance, workplace modifications, and wage subsidies for employers who hire you during a transition period.

Psychosocial rehabilitation

Support for veterans whose conditions affect their ability to participate in daily life and their community. This can include social skills programs, community participation support, assistance with daily living tasks, and connection to veteran-specific programs like Mates4Mates or Soldier On.

How rehabilitation relates to SRDP

To qualify for SRDP, DVA needs confirmation from your treating specialists that rehabilitation is unlikely to improve your ability to work. You do not need to have completed a rehabilitation program for this to be established. The legislation requires evidence that rehabilitation wouldn't help, not that you've tried and failed.

However, if DVA has offered you a rehabilitation program and you haven't engaged with it, it may be harder to argue that rehabilitation is unlikely to help. If you're approaching SRDP eligibility (50+ impairment points, unable to work 10+ hours per week), discuss rehabilitation with your treating team and your advocate to make sure the medical evidence clearly supports the position that further rehabilitation would not improve your work capacity.

How to access DVA rehabilitation

You can request rehabilitation through DVA by calling 1800 838 372 or through MyService. DVA will assign a rehabilitation coordinator who works with you and your treating team to develop a rehabilitation plan. The plan sets out what programs you'll participate in, the goals, the duration, and the funding DVA will provide.

From 1 July 2026, DRCA veterans with accepted conditions will have their rehabilitation claims assessed under the MRCA framework. If you're a DRCA veteran with an open rehabilitation plan before 1 July 2026, your plan will be transitioned to the MRCA automatically.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to do rehabilitation before claiming SRDP?

No. The legislation requires evidence that rehabilitation is unlikely to improve your work capacity. It doesn't require you to complete a program first. Medical specialist evidence confirming rehabilitation wouldn't help is sufficient.

Can DVA force me to do rehabilitation?

DVA can offer and recommend rehabilitation, but it can't force you to participate. However, if you're receiving incapacity payments and you refuse rehabilitation without good reason, DVA may reassess your incapacity payment eligibility.

Does DVA pay for university?

Yes, if it's part of an approved vocational rehabilitation plan. DVA can fund tuition, textbooks, and related costs for courses that are part of your rehabilitation pathway. The course needs to be linked to a realistic employment outcome given your conditions.

What if I start rehabilitation and it doesn't help?

If rehabilitation doesn't improve your condition or work capacity, that outcome supports a future SRDP application. Document the attempt and the results with your treating team.

Can I choose my own rehabilitation provider?

You can express preferences, and DVA will consider them. For medical rehabilitation (physio, psychology, OT), you generally choose your own treating providers. For vocational rehabilitation, DVA works with approved providers but will take your preferences into account.