In the 2017–18 Budget, the Government expanded the range of mental health conditions current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members can seek treatment for on a non-liability basis.
The $33.5 million expansion of the program to cover all mental health conditions announced in the Budget recognises that the earlier a veteran gets treatment, the better the health and other outcomes.
A veteran does not have to prove their mental health condition is related to their service. The funding for mental health treatment is demand-driven and not capped – if an eligible person requires treatment, the Government will pay for it.
To access this treatment, call 133 254 or 1800 555 254 if you are in a regional area, or email nlhc@dva.gov.au.
The Budget also provides $8.5 million to expand eligibility for the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service to include partners, dependants and former partners of veterans, who are often affected by military service.
For more information about how the 2017–18 Budget affects veterans, see the Budget 2017–18 page of the DVA website.