Reviews and appeals

From 21 April 2025 a single review pathway replaced the different review processes under each Act. Most compensation decisions made since then go:

1. Veterans' Review Board (VRB) – an independent first review of the merits of your case.
2. Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) – if you still disagree with the VRB decision and are eligible.

The ART replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) in October 2024.

Source: DVA – Single review pathway; DVA – Request a review for income support decisions

Your decision letter states your exact timeframe. If you're late, you can ask the ART for an extension, but it isn't guaranteed and may affect back pay.

Source: DVA – Single review pathway; DVA – Request a review for income support decisions

Yes, for some decisions. For compensation decisions made from 21 April 2025, the usual first review is through the VRB rather than an internal DVA reconsideration. Income-support decisions, allowances and some other matters continue to have different review pathways, including internal DVA review. Internal reconsideration within 30 days applied to DRCA decisions made before 21 April 2025.

DVA still reviews some decisions itself. Reviews of income support claims and payments (such as service pension, Veteran Payment and qualifying service) and allowances (such as attendant, clothing or decoration allowance) can be requested from DVA, including through MyService. Compensation claim decisions go directly to the VRB.

If you have new information, talk to DVA or your advocate about it. Your decision letter explains your review options.

Source: DVA – Single review pathway; DVA – How to request a review of a decision in MyService; DVA – Request a review for income support decisions

1. Check the date on your decision letter.
2. If it's on or after 21 April 2025, apply directly to the VRB. The easiest way is to fill in the Application for review form and email it to reviews@vrb.gov.au.
3. Include your details, the decision you want reviewed and why you think it's wrong.
4. After the VRB receives your application, you can set up its online services through the VRB Justice Portal helpline (0436 847 130).

If your decision is dated before 21 April 2025, lodge with DVA (or the relevant Commission), which passes it to the VRB.

Source: VRB – How to apply

The VRB tries to resolve cases through alternative dispute resolution. Online dispute resolution (ODR) is a fully online option: after you lodge, you can request ODR, a Conference Registrar helps resolve the matter, and if it's resolved you get a binding decision.

Source: VRB – Online dispute resolution

Apply online through the Administrative Review Tribunal website. The ART can affirm (agree with), vary (change) or set aside the decision and substitute a new one. Many decisions must go through the VRB before the ART will hear them.

Source: DVA – Administrative Review Tribunal

• Read the decision's reasons carefully. They show which part failed – diagnosis, link to service, or the SOP factor.
• Target new evidence at that gap, e.g. a specialist report addressing the relevant Statement of Principles factor.
• Diary your deadline the day the letter arrives. Applying early can protect back pay.
• Get a free ESO advocate trained through the ATDP. You don't need to pay or give up part of your entitlements.

Source: DVA – What to consider if you're looking for help

• Start of the process: Making a claim for a service-related condition
• About the Veterans’ Review Board (DVA)
• Compensation under VEA and MRCA review pathway

Source: DVA – About the VRB

The Veterans' Review Board is a specialist tribunal set up under the Veterans' Entitlements Act. It is separate from DVA and from the Commissions that made your original decision. Its members are appointed by the Governor-General, are not DVA employees, and include Services Members with military backgrounds who are nominated by ex-service organisations.

• Free: there is no fee to apply or to have your case reviewed.
• Fresh look: it reconsiders the facts, law and policy and makes its own decision – it doesn't just check DVA's working.
• Private: hearings are closed to the public and decisions are not published.
• Busy but practised: it finalises roughly 3,000 cases a year across Australia.

Phone the VRB on 1800 550 460 (9am–5pm weekdays) or see its contact page for registry emails and addresses in Sydney and Brisbane.

Source: VRB – About us; VRB – Who we are; VRB – Our commitment to you

The VRB mainly reviews compensation and entitlement decisions made under the MRCA, the VEA, and the DRCA (DRCA only if the decision is dated 21 April 2025 or later). Typical examples include:

• whether a service-related injury, illness or death has been accepted;
• the rate of a disability pension (Disability Compensation Payment) or a war widow(er)'s pension;
• permanent impairment and other compensation amounts, such as medical expense compensation.

Your decision letter tells you whether the VRB can review it and the deadline that applies. Be careful: the VRB cannot extend its time limits, so a late application may simply be refused. For VEA claims to have a condition accepted, applying within 3 months protects your full back pay, even though the outer limit is 12 months.

Source: VRB – What we can review; VRB – When to apply; DVA – About the VRB

1. You apply. The VRB checks your form and tells the original decision-maker.
2. You get the file. Within 28 days, DVA must send you the decision and every relevant document it holds (the 'section 352D' documents). If you lodged with DVA before 21 April 2025, this is the 'section 137 report'.
3. You tell the VRB how you'll take part. You'll be sent a notice asking who your representative is and whether you'll join in person, by phone or online (see the response forms on the forms page).
4. Online dispute resolution (ODR). Disputes about permanent impairment (MRCA or DRCA) and the VEA general rate of pension go to ODR first, where a Conference Registrar works with you online.
5. Outreach. For most cases the first step is an outreach: a short, confidential talk with a Conference Registrar or Member by phone, video or in person. You usually get about a month to prepare. It may end in a draft favourable decision 'on the papers' that you can accept.
6. Conference or directions hearing (if needed). A conference brings in DVA's side to try to reach agreement; a directions hearing sorts out next steps.
7. Hearing. If it's still unresolved, a hearing is listed, usually with about a month's notice. A panel of three (Senior Member, Services Member and Member) hears you in private, typically in under an hour. With your consent, a single member may hear it in an 'accelerated' hearing.

Older material may mention 'case appraisals' or 'neutral evaluation'. The VRB's current General Practice Direction instead describes ODR, outreaches, conferences and directions hearings – your VRB letters will tell you which event you've been booked into.

Timing: the VRB says a typical case settled through dispute resolution may take about 3–6 months; cases that go to hearing take longer.

Online options: most dispute resolution events happen by phone, and hearings can be joined by video through Microsoft Teams (online hearings guide). The VRB Justice Portal lets you and your representative track your case and upload documents any time – call the helpline on 0436 847 130 to get registered.

Source: VRB – After applying; VRB – General Practice Direction; VRB – Questions you may have

You're entitled to have a representative throughout. Many ex-service organisations – and Legal Aid in some states – provide trained advocates at no charge, and you don't have to be a member of the ESO. You can search the Advocate Register or ask VRB registry staff to help you find someone.

• Lawyers: the law bars legally qualified people from appearing at VRB hearings. They can still help prepare your application, take part in dispute resolution events and write submissions for the hearing.
• Paid advocates: if you choose someone who charges, neither the VRB nor DVA will pay or refund their fees.
• Support person: you can bring a friend or family member to a hearing, whether or not you have a representative (their own time and travel aren't reimbursed).
• Medical reports and travel: you can ask DVA (not the VRB) to reimburse the cost of getting medical evidence for your review, and some travel costs. Call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) to check what applies to you.

Source: VRB – Getting help; VRB – Representatives and the rules they must follow; DVA – About the VRB (Costs)

• Read your 352D documents early. They show exactly what DVA relied on – note anything missing or wrong.
• Gather evidence during dispute resolution, not at the last minute. The VRB generally won't postpone a hearing just so you can get more material.
• Lodge documents at least 7 days before a hearing by email or the Justice Portal. Late papers can delay things or force a break mid-hearing.
• Prepare your story. At the hearing you'll be asked why the decision is wrong and about your service. Short notes help you cover everything you want to say.
• Tell the VRB what you need. Let them know in advance about health, accessibility or timing issues, or if you're about to deploy – phone participation or an on-the-papers decision may be possible.
• Struggling? The Vulnerable Veteran Protocol allows priority handling, flexible hearing arrangements and extra support. You, your family, advocate or doctor can raise it.
• Need a new date? Ask in writing and give a good reason.
• Sorted it out with DVA? Tell the VRB straight away and use the withdrawal form on the forms page.

These are general tips, not legal advice – a free ESO advocate can tailor them to your case.

Source: VRB – General Practice Direction; VRB – Online hearings; VRB – Vulnerable Veteran Protocol

Where it can, the panel announces its decision and reasons at the end of the hearing. Otherwise you'll get it in writing later. Either way, you and DVA each receive a written copy. Decisions aren't made public.

If you still disagree, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), which is separate from both DVA and the VRB. You generally have 3 months from receiving the VRB decision, so talk to your advocate promptly.

If your concern is about how you were treated rather than the outcome, raise it with VRB staff or a local Registrar first, or make a formal written complaint (see Our commitment to you).

Source: VRB – VRB decisions; VRB – Questions you may have; ART – Veterans' entitlements

Common situations veterans run into, and practical steps that may help. This is general guidance, not a promise of an outcome. Always check the official rule linked under each one.

Experiences collected October 2026. Got a correction? Use the feedback form.

• dva.gov.auSingle review pathway
  View source
• dva.gov.auAdministrative Review Tribunal
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• art.gov.auHomepage
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• vrb.gov.auHow to apply
  View source
• vrb.gov.auOnline dispute resolution
  View source
• vrb.gov.auInformation and Resources
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• dva.gov.auAbout the Veterans’ Review Board (VRB)
  View source
• dva.gov.auCompensation under VEA and MRCA pathway
  View source
• dva.gov.auWhat to consider if you're looking for help?
  View source
• rma.gov.auSOPs
  View source
• dva.gov.auMaking a claim for a service-related condition
  View source
• dva.gov.auDVA – Request a review for income support decisions
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• dva.gov.auDVA – How to request a review of a decision in MyService
  View source

All links opened and checked 2026-10-02.