QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: ADDITIONAL ANSWERS
Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (15:06): I wish to add to an answer that I gave to Senator Lambie on Tuesday 11 August in my capacity as the Minister representing the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. the Albanese Labor government is making sure that veterans can get the medical care and support that they need.
As part of the compensation process, the Department of Veterans' Affairs uses a range of information, including medical information, to establish if a veteran's injury or illness was the result of their ADF service. Medical information may also inform assessment of a veteran's eligibility for compensation and their support needs. DVA always prefers this assessment to be undertaken with a veteran's usual treating medical practitioner, with whom they already have a relationship.
If needed, DVA may also support a veteran to access an independent medical assessment where they do not have a relationship with a treating GP. Importantly, these independent assessments are at no cost to the veteran so that the claim can be processed as quickly as possible. In 2025-26, DVA paid for 58,057 invoices for compensation reports from approximately 6,500 providers.
The majority of compensation related medical assessment invoices are paid within standard processing timeframes of 20 business days. Independent medical assessments are also an important option where there are integrity concerns about the provider who has submitted the compensation report or where there are concerns about the content of the report. This ensures that the veteran's claim can progress without being affected by the integrity concerns related to the provider.
As at 20 July 2026, DVA was engaging with 23 doctors about compliance matters relating to invalid reports and overcharging for compensation assessments. This represents a very small proportion of those 6,500 providers DVA works with to progress veterans' compensation claims. In February 2026, DVA updated its fee guidance for medical assessments and reports required for compensation claims.
The rates were increased by over 30 per cent, with an even greater increase applied to the per-page rate for reports. The fees will be indexed annually using the annual wage price index. The updated guidance represents a substantial increase in the fees payable for medical assessments and compensation reports since the last official update in 2013.
We will continue to support veterans and ensure they can access the medical care and support they need while protecting the integrity of the veterans system. I should indicate also that I wrote earlier today to Senator Lambie to indicate to her that I would be making this statement and adding to my answer at this time. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: There being no further contributions, I shall now proceed to motions to take note of answers.
With the concurrence of the Senate, the clerks will set the clocks in accordance with informal arrangements agreed to by the whips.