How to Use the DVA SRDP Calculator

The DVA SRDP Calculator estimates your weekly Special Rate Disability Pension after applying the three statutory offsets: your permanent impairment (PI) compensation, your Disability Compensation Payment (DCP), and your CSC invalidity pension. Understanding how each offset works, and in what order they apply, helps you interpret your result and plan your finances.

What Is SRDP?

SRDP (Special Rate Disability Pension) is a fixed weekly pension under the MRCA for veterans who are severely impaired by service-related conditions and cannot work more than 10 hours per week. The base rate is $947.95 per week in 2026 (inclusive of the Energy Supplement). It is tax-free and paid for life. Unlike incapacity payments, SRDP is not affected by civilian earnings, but it is reduced by the statutory offsets described below.

The Offset Waterfall

Three potential offsets reduce your SRDP. They apply in a specific order, the waterfall, and each has a different reduction rate.

Offset 1: Permanent Impairment Compensation

Under section 204 of the MRCA, SRDP is reduced dollar-for-dollar by the weekly value of any permanent impairment (PI) compensation you have received or are receiving. This includes MRCA PI paid as a weekly amount, MRCA PI you converted to a lump sum (the weekly amount it was converted from), and DRCA PI, which is always a lump sum and is converted to a weekly equivalent. If your PI was taken as a lump sum, DVA works out the weekly equivalent and offsets that.

This offset is permanent. There is no 5-year rule and no time limit, and it is not reduced to a fraction of a dollar. Every dollar per week of PI reduces your SRDP by a dollar, and the PI offset is applied before the Commonwealth superannuation offset.

Offset 2: VEA Disability Compensation Payment (DCP)

If you receive a VEA Disability Compensation Payment (DCP), this offsets SRDP dollar-for-dollar. The DCP is not reduced, it is the SRDP that is reduced by the DCP amount. This is the same direction as with incapacity payments: DCP always offsets DVA compensation, never the other way around. Veterans receiving both VEA DCP and MRCA SRDP will have their SRDP reduced by the full DCP weekly amount.

Offset 3: CSC Invalidity Pension

The Commonwealth-funded portion of your CSC invalidity pension reduces SRDP at 60 cents per dollar. This is more favourable than the incapacity treatment (dollar-for-dollar). DVA uses the Commonwealth-funded percentage from CSC's records. For MSBS members this is typically the employer component; for DFRDB it is approximately 85% of the total pension. ADF Cover invalidity benefits are 100% Commonwealth-funded.

What to Enter in the Calculator

• PI weekly equivalent, your MRCA or DRCA permanent impairment compensation as a weekly amount. If you took a lump sum, use the weekly equivalent from your DVA determination letter. Enter $0 if you have no PI.
• VEA DCP (fortnightly), your Disability Compensation Payment under the VEA. Enter $0 if you do not receive DCP.
• CSC scheme and classification, DFRDB, MSBS, or ADF Cover, and your invalidity class. The calculator uses these to estimate your CSC pension and the Commonwealth-funded portion that offsets SRDP.
• Super salary, age at discharge, and years of service, used to estimate your CSC invalidity pension.

Eligibility Checklist Before Using the Calculator

The calculator estimates your SRDP amount if eligible. Use this checklist to confirm you meet the eligibility threshold before proceeding:

• 50 or more impairment points assessed under MRCA (confirmed in DVA Notice of Determination)
• Currently receiving MRCA incapacity payments
• Unable to work more than 10 hours per week (confirmed by treating specialist)
• Rehabilitation unlikely to improve capacity (confirmed by treating specialist)
• Under pension age (67)

What the Result Means

The calculator shows your estimated net SRDP after all offsets. This is your weekly tax-free income from SRDP. To compare it meaningfully with incapacity payments (which are taxable), you should also run the Incapacity Calculator and note that SRDP income does not need to be grossed up for tax. A net SRDP of $600/week is equivalent to roughly $860/week of taxable income at a 30% marginal rate.

Frequently asked questions

What if I don't know my CSC Commonwealth-funded percentage?

Contact CSC directly on 1300 006 227 and request a letter confirming your invalidity classification and the Commonwealth-funded percentage of your pension. CSC will issue this in writing and it is the document DVA uses when calculating your SRDP offset. Without this letter, DVA may apply a default percentage which may not be accurate. Getting the CSC letter before lodging your SRDP election ensures the offset is calculated correctly from day one.

Is there a 5-year time limit on the PI offset?

No. There is no 5-year rule. Under section 204 of the MRCA the permanent impairment offset is permanent, it reduces your SRDP dollar-for-dollar by the weekly value of your PI compensation for as long as SRDP is paid. If you took your PI as a lump sum, DVA converts it to a weekly equivalent and offsets that. It does not fall away after any period.

Does the DCP I receive under the VEA reduce my SRDP?

Yes, dollar-for-dollar. If you receive a VEA Disability Compensation Payment (DCP), the full weekly DCP amount is subtracted from your SRDP. The DCP is not reduced, it is always SRDP (or incapacity) that is offset. Some veterans who receive high DCP rates under the VEA find that their net SRDP is very low or nil, which can make SRDP a less attractive election than for veterans without a VEA DCP.

Is the SRDP Calculator the same as the DVA comparison tool?

Our SRDP Calculator estimates your net weekly SRDP after all three offsets. It is separate from our SRDP vs Incapacity Comparison Calculator, which models both SRDP and incapacity side by side with tax and lifetime value projections. Use the SRDP Calculator first to understand your net SRDP figure, then feed that into the comparison tool to decide which option is financially better for your situation.