DFWA is tracking Government’s implementation of the recommendations made in the Productivity Commission Report – A Better Way to Support Veterans.
The tracker was updated on 18 February 2021, 3 June 2022.
| No. | Recommendation | Govt Advised Status | Government Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Objectives And Principles For The Veteran Support System | Outstanding | |
| 5.1 | Improve Reporting Of Work Health And Safety Incidents | Implemented | Defence has linked its work health and safety database (Sentinel) with the future Defence e-health system. (Update to Government Response to PC Report 14 May 2021) |
| 5.2 | Supporting A New Approach To Injury Prevention | Outstanding | |
| 5.3 | Publish Annual Notional Premium Estimates | Implemented | DVA publishes the actuarial report of the liability and notional and annual premium produced by the Australian Government Actuary. (Update to Government Response to PC Report 14 May 2021) |
| 5.4 | Formalise Defence Responsibility To Support ADF Members | Implemented | Defence has incorporated the words below in the 2020-24 Defence Corporate Plan: Appropriate support and services are provided to Defence people, noting Defence has a responsibility to respect and support members of the Australian Defence Force having regard to their lifetime wellbeing |
| 6.1 | Public Reporting On ADF Rehabilitation | Implemented | The return to duty rate for the 2016-17 financial year was included for the first time in the Joint Health Command Annual Review 2017-18. As of 1 July 2019, Defence has introduced the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 36 (WHODAS-36) as a rehabilitation outcome measure. Defence provides rehabilitation as an extension of healthcare. The WHODAS measure provides a more holistic view of rehabilitation outcomes than just return to work or duty. The first results of the WHODAS will be published in the Joint Health Command Annual Review report for financial year 2019-20. |
| 6.2 | Evaluation And Reporting Of DVA Rehabilitation | Progressing | DVA has undertaken a number of review activities (e.g. a request for information from rehabilitation providers, research on other comparable programs) in the past six months to better understand its position in the rehabilitation industry and learn how it can improve its rehabilitation services. |
| 6.3 | Commissioning And Integration Of Rehabilitation Services | Progressing | From 1 July 2019, DVA entered into contractual arrangements with 36 providers, and concluded a request for information from providers in Jun 2020 to inform a future rehabilitation operating model. DVA and Defence have been reviewing the transfer of rehabilitation plans between the two rehabilitation programs for transitioning members. |
| 7.1 | Establish A Joint Transition Authority | Implemented | Defence began to implement the JTA in late 2020, with a view to delivering full operational capability by the end of 2022. Budget 20-21 measure - $17.7 million for the creation of a Joint Transition Authority within Defence to improve the transition support for ADF members and to enhance outcomes for ADF members and their families in their transition to civilian life. (Update to Government Response to PC Report 14 May 2021) |
| 7.2 | Career Planning And Family Engagement For Transition | Progressing | Defence has made progress on the second and third components, encouraging ADF members to consider and plan their military and civilian careers. ADF Transition programs have been undergoing improvements since 2017. Since January 2019, Defence has adopted a needs-based approach to supporting members and their families when leave the military. This includes career planning and access to specialist support. |
| 7.3 | Trial A Veteran Education Allowance | Pending | The recommendation will now be subject to a legislation reform roadmap that will be developed. The legislative reform will be carefully considered and require broad consultation with the veteran community. Trial extended by 12 months in Budget 2022-23. (Update to Government Response to PC Report 14 May 2021) |
| 8.1 | Harmonise The Initial Liability Process | Outstanding | |
| 8.2 | Improve The RMA’s Resourcing And Transparency | Outstanding | |
| 8.3 | Abolish The Specialist Medical Review Council | Outstanding | |
| 8.4 | Move MRCA To A Single Standard Of Proof | Outstanding | |
| 9.1 | Public Progress Reports On Recent Reviews | Implemented | DVA publishes responses to reviews of DVA and the veteran support system on its website. Progress reports on these responses are provided on an ongoing basis. |
| 9.2 | Appropriately Train Staff | Implemented | DVA has been providing training to staff in the areas recommended by the Commission, focussed on service delivery to vulnerable people and in particular those experiencing the impact of trauma. |
| 9.3 | Ensure Quality Of Claims Processing | Outstanding | |
| 10.1 | Improve And Use Feedback From Administrative Reviews | Outstanding | |
| 10.2 | Single Review Pathway | Outstanding | |
| 10.3 | Veterans’ Review Board As A Review And Resolution Body | Outstanding | |
| 10.4 | Review Of Ongoing Role Of Veterans’ Review Board | Outstanding | |
| 11.1 | Establish A Veteran Services Commission | Outstanding | |
| 11.2 | Levy A Premium On Defence | Progressing | DVA and Defence are developing an alternative approach by examining data sharing needs, designing complementary wellbeing frameworks and preparing to create a data sharing and analytics solution where DVA and Defence data will be shared to provide insights into current and future veteran support system issues. Budget 20-21 measure - Stage 1 funding of $500,000 to develop a platform to bring together Defence and DVA de-identified data in one place to build a better understanding of the cost of service injuries and to inform prevention strategies without impacting on capability. |
| 11.3 | Improving Policy Outcomes | Outstanding | |
| 11.4 | Create A Ministerial Advisory Council | Outstanding | |
| 11.5 | Move War Grave Functions Into The War Memorial | Outstanding | |
| 12.1 | Reframe Support For Veterans’ Organisations | Outstanding | |
| 12.2 | DVA Should Provide Assistance With Primary Claims | Outstanding | |
| 12.3 | Fund A Claims Advocacy Program | Outstanding | |
| 12.4 | Accreditation Of Advocates | Progressing | The Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP) continues to be available to accredit advocates who act on behalf of claimants. The ATDP is working to develop a more contemporary approach to training using available technologies, so that it is more accessible in regional and remote areas, and to encourage younger participants who may be unable to attend face-to-face training due to work and family commitments. |
| 12.5 | Fund Legal Assistance At The AAT | Outstanding | |
| 12.6 | Program For Funding Wellbeing Supports | Progressing | DVA is shifting to a wellbeing model that supports veterans to achieve greater independence for themselves and their families, and is in the process of implementing a network of six Veteran Wellbeing Centres across Australia. The centres will provide a one-stop shop for veterans and their families to access a range of health, employment, transition and social connection services. Each of the six centres will receive one-off funding support of $5 million (a total of $30 million across the program) to develop and initiate their service model. |
| 12.7 | Funding Policy Advice From Veterans’ Organisations | Outstanding | |
| 13.1 | Harmonise The DRCA With The MRCA | Outstanding | |
| 13.2 | Simplify The Administration Of Invalidity Pensions | Outstanding | |
| 13.3 | Replace Invalidity Pensions With Incapacity Payments | Outstanding | |
| 13.4 | Rehabilitation For Invalidity Payment Recipients | Outstanding | |
| 14.1 | A Single Rate Of Permanent Impairment Compensation | Outstanding | |
| 14.2 | Interim Compensation To Be Taken As A Periodic Payment | Outstanding | |
| 14.3 | Interim Compensation To Be Finalised After Two Years | Outstanding | |
| 14.4 | Eligible Young Person Permanent Impairment Payment | Outstanding | |
| 14.5 | Improve Lifestyle Ratings | Outstanding | |
| 14.6 | Target Incapacity Payments At Economic Loss | Outstanding | |
| 14.7 | Remove The MRCA Special Rate Disability Pension | Outstanding | |
| 14.8 | Remove Automatic Eligibility For MRCA Dependant Benefits | Outstanding | |
| 14.9 | Combine MRCA Dependant Benefits Into One Payment | Outstanding | |
| 14.1 | Harmonise The Funeral Allowance | Outstanding | |
| 15.1 | Simplify DFSIA | Implemented | Budget 20-21 measure - $25.9 million to provide additional financial support in the form of rent assistance to TPI Pension and other Disability Pension recipients who also receive an income support payment and pay private rent. Implemented January 2022. |
| 15.2 | Simplify And Harmonise Education Payments | Outstanding | |
| 15.3 | Consolidate Supplements Into Underlying Payments | Outstanding | |
| 15.4 | Remove And Pay Out Smaller Payments | Outstanding | |
| 15.5 | Harmonise Attendant And Household Services | Outstanding | |
| 15.6 | Harmonise Vehicle Assistance | Outstanding | |
| 16.1 | Eligibility For Coordinated Veterans’ Care | Progressing | Budget 20-21 measure - $2.4 million to expand eligibility for the Coordinated Veterans’ Care Program to White Card holders with chronic mental health conditions. |
| 16.2 | Public Reporting On Accessibility Of Health Services | Outstanding | |
| 16.3 | Independent Review Of Fee Setting Arrangements | Implemented | Budget 20-21 measure - $94.3 million for mental health, social worker and community nursing provider fee increases and simplification, to improve mental health outcomes for veterans and ensure older vulnerable veterans are well supported in the community, as well as providing funding for psychiatry training in military and veteran mental health. (Update to Government Response to PC Report 14 May 2021) |
| 16.4 | Better Targeted Eligibility For The Gold Card | Rejected | |
| 16.5 | No Further Extensions Of Gold Card Eligibility | Rejected | |
| 17.1 | Improve Awareness Of DVA Mental Health Services | Implemented | DVA has been actively promoting the work of Open Arms and DVA’s funded mental health services. Both the DVA and Open Arms websites promote the services and supports available to the veteran community, including broader government supports. DVA will continue to build awareness of its mental health services through implementation of the Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and National Action Plan 2020-2023, which prioritises communicating and engaging with veterans, families and the community about the mental health and wellbeing support and services available. |
| 17.2 | Monitor And Report On Open Arms’ Outcomes | Progressing | Budget 20-21 measure - $5.0 million to support mental health in the veteran community and address the rate of veteran suicide, especially in regional and remote areas, with the expansion of Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling services. |
| 17.3 | Evidence Based Treatment For Veterans Mental Health | Outstanding | |
| 17.4 | A New Veteran Mental Health Strategy | Implemented | (Update to Government Response to PC Report 14 May 2021) |
| 18.1 | Outcomes And Performance Frameworks | Progressing | The establishment of data and insights capability with DVA has allowed the Department to progressively improve these frameworks and measures of the effectiveness of its services. Though this and associated mechanisms, further improvements are expected to occur incrementally. DVA has also been incrementally maturing its performance measures and framework, as reflected in improvements to its Annual Performance Statement. |
| 18.2 | More High Quality Trials And Reviews | Implemented | DVA has been conducting or has initiated a number of trials and reviews over recent years and will continue to do so, and will use them to inform policies and service delivery, e.g. the psychiatric assistance dog trial being conducted by La Trobe University, and the Review of DVA Health Provider Fees. Activities also include evaluations to monitor outcomes and benefits of programs such as an evaluation of the Veteran Payment and an evaluation of the Coordinated Veterans’ Care Mental Health Pilot. |
| 18.3 | Develop And Publish A Veteran Research Plan | Implemented | The DVA Strategic Research Framework 2019-21 provides guidance for the commissioning of high quality applied research to increase the evidence base and use of data to support DVA services, and to increase awareness of emerging veteran issues and solutions. DVA has published its research priorities and briefed the research community on how the commissioning model will operate. |
| 18.4 | Expert Committee On Veteran Research | Progressing | Through its Strategic Partnership with the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (AIHW), an expert Advisory Group has been established. This group provides expert technical and experiential insight and advice to the AIHW for the program of work undertaken by the AIHW under the Strategic Partnership. The terms of reference and the membership of the Advisory Group will be reviewed to enable DVA to seek advice to guide the Strategic Research Framework and research priorities, and to enable the DVA Research Board to draw on its expertise as required. |
| 19.1 | Two Schemes For Veteran Support | Outstanding | |
| 19.2 | An Expanded Family Support Package | Outstanding |