This bill became law on Apr 1st, 2026.
Defence & foreign affairs
Veterans’ reviews will now notify the Defence chiefThe senior officer who leads the Australian Defence Force and would be notified about some review applications or health-care claims by serving members. about applications and outcomes involving current Defence ForceAustralia's military forces; on this page the rules affect current serving members as well as former members and families. members’ service injuries, diseases or deaths.
The 1 July 2026 shift to one main military compensation law left gaps and unclear rules for reviews, dependants, funeral payments, treatment, pensions and non-liability health careTreatment paid for by veterans' arrangements without the person first having to prove the condition was caused by service.. The bill clarifies those rules so current ADFAustralia's military forces; on this page the rules affect current serving members as well as former members and families. members, veterans and families receive the intended entitlements without duplicate or excessive payments.
The VETS ActThe earlier reform law that set up the move to one simpler veterans' entitlement system, which this bill corrects before it starts. had already set up a single, simplified veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation system to start on 1 July 2026, following the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s interim report. As that start date approached, officials identified ten corrections needed so reviews, dependants’ compensation, funeral payments, treatment access, pensions and non-liability health careTreatment paid for by veterans' arrangements without the person first having to prove the condition was caused by service. would work as intended, and this bill made those fixes before receiving Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act..
The main criticism was that mandatory notice to the Chief of the Defence ForceThe senior officer who leads the Australian Defence Force and would be notified about some review applications or health-care claims by serving members. about serving members’ review matters or health-care claims could discourage personnel from seeking help and expose them to privacy or career risks. Coalition speakers still supported the bill overall, framing the objection as a targeted amendment rather than opposition to the veterans compensation reforms.
Hon Matt Keogh MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 01 Apr 2026
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
1 recorded amendment or procedural vote was found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
125 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Veterans’ reviews will now notify the Defence chiefThe senior officer who leads the Australian Defence Force and would be notified about some review applications or health-care claims by serving members. about applications and outcomes involving current Defence ForceAustralia's military forces; on this page the rules affect current serving members as well as former members and families. members’ service injuries, diseases or deaths.
Dependants will not be paid duplicate compensation where an older veterans’ law claim is still unresolved or has already produced compensation, even if offsets reduce it to nil.
Funeral compensation rules are widened so more eligible Defence families can receive the higher payment, while preventing total funeral payments exceeding the maximum.
Veterans eligible for the extra disablement payment get treatment for all conditions, and their partners can qualify for partner service pensionAn income support payment for eligible partners of veterans, with this bill allowing some partners of ADA veterans to qualify from age 50. from age 50.
Current Defence ForceAustralia's military forces; on this page the rules affect current serving members as well as former members and families. members keep access to non-liability health careTreatment paid for by veterans' arrangements without the person first having to prove the condition was caused by service. after the 2026 move to the main military compensation law.
The Board must, as soon as practicable after receiving an application for review, give written notice of the application to:Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Act 2026 final Act text
Item 11 inserts new subsection 12(10) to clarify that section 12 applies in relation compensation and pensions granted under the precedent Acts even if the amount of the compensation that is paid, or is eligible to be paid, is nil. This amendment ensures that dependants are not granted duplicate compensation even where one source of compensation has been offset to nil.Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) explanatory memorandum
The bill will clarify that the higher rate (maximum currently of $14,990) of funeral compensation payable under MRCA is available to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, even if they also met the criteria for the lower $3,000 rate, and that combined total compensation cannot exceed the maximum payable.Minister's second reading speech
Item 31 amends paragraph 38(1BA)(b) to insert new subparagraph (iv) regarding veterans who satisfy the eligibility criteria in section 220A (ADA) of the MRCA or have satisfied those criteria during some period of their life. This amendment provides eligibility to Service Pension to certain partners of veterans at the earlier age of 50 years, where the veteran is ADA eligible, aligning it with current policy for partners of EDA-eligible veterans.Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) explanatory memorandum
The amendments under Part 8 of Schedule 1 of the Bill relating to NLHC for serving members will mean that those who transfer from the VEA to the MRCA will continue to access NLHC treatment. This ensures the continuity of care and treatment and maintains the standard of physical and mental health currently afforded to serving members.Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) explanatory memorandum
Context
The VETS ActThe earlier reform law that set up the move to one simpler veterans' entitlement system, which this bill corrects before it starts. had already set up a single, simplified veterans’ compensation and rehabilitation system to start on 1 July 2026, following the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s interim report. As that start date approached, officials identified ten corrections needed so reviews, dependants’ compensation, funeral payments, treatment access, pensions and non-liability health careTreatment paid for by veterans' arrangements without the person first having to prove the condition was caused by service. would work as intended, and this bill made those fixes before receiving Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act..
VETS ActThe earlier reform law that set up the move to one simpler veterans' entitlement system, which this bill corrects before it starts. sets up a single veterans’ entitlement system
Parliament passed the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025 in response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s interim report, with the simplified system due to begin on 1 July 2026.
Hansard ↗Ten fixes are identified before the new system starts
The explanatory memorandum said ten amendments were needed to clarify or correct the Simplification ActThe earlier reform law that set up the move to one simpler veterans' entitlement system, which this bill corrects before it starts. before its 1 July 2026 commencement.
Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) explanatory memorandum ↗Government introduces the bill to close the gaps
The minister said the bill continued the government’s response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and supported implementation of the simpler veterans entitlement system.
Hansard ↗Opposition supports passage but raises privacy concerns
The Coalition said it would support the bill to keep the 1 July 2026 transition on track, while seeking to remove references to notifying the Chief of the Defence ForceThe senior officer who leads the Australian Defence Force and would be notified about some review applications or health-care claims by serving members. about some claims.
Hansard ↗Bill receives Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act.
Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. turned the bill into an Act, allowing the corrections to be in place before the simplified veterans entitlement system began.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Simplified veterans entitlement system is due to begin
The corrected rules were intended to operate from the commencement of the Simplification ActThe earlier reform law that set up the move to one simpler veterans' entitlement system, which this bill corrects before it starts., including arrangements for compensation, funeral payments, treatment access, pensions and non-liability health careTreatment paid for by veterans' arrangements without the person first having to prove the condition was caused by service..
Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) explanatory memorandum ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that mandatory notice to the Chief of the Defence ForceThe senior officer who leads the Australian Defence Force and would be notified about some review applications or health-care claims by serving members. about serving members’ review matters or health-care claims could discourage personnel from seeking help and expose them to privacy or career risks. Coalition speakers still supported the bill overall, framing the objection as a targeted amendment rather than opposition to the veterans compensation reforms.
No party represented in the debate opposed the bill; the criticism was narrow and implementation-focused.
Privacy and help-seeking risks for serving members
Critics warned that automatically alerting the Chief of the Defence ForceThe senior officer who leads the Australian Defence Force and would be notified about some review applications or health-care claims by serving members. when current personnel seek review or access care could undermine trust, deter mental health treatment and create unfair career consequences.
Another fix-up bill and slow implementation
Some Coalition speakers said the government had taken too long to settle basic implementation details for the single veterans compensation framework, leaving Parliament to pass another technical correction bill close to commencement.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Amendments grouped by chamber. Expand any amendment to see the party breakdown or, where it passed on the voices, how that works.
House
Defeated 46 to 86. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Greens, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This was the Opposition's attempt to strip out provisions requiring the Chief of the Defence ForceThe senior officer who leads the Australian Defence Force and would be notified about some review applications or health-care claims by serving members. to be notified about treatment of serving members, arguing it would undermine privacy and deter personnel from seeking care. Its defeat meant the CDFThe senior officer who leads the Australian Defence Force and would be notified about some review applications or health-care claims by serving members. notification provisions remained in the bill.
Notice of treatment of serving members
Notice of treatment of serving members
Passed on the voices
The chamber agreed to this amendment without a counted vote — the presiding officer judged the ayes louder than the noes, and no member called for a division.
These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Keogh supports the bill and says it makes minor but necessary technical changes to implement the veterans reform package properly, so support and payments continue smoothly from 1 July 2026.
Read in Hansard ↗Joyce supports the bill and says it should pass because veterans must be treated respectfully and promptly, but he criticises the government for taking far too long and not fixing claims processing well enough.
Read in Hansard ↗Chisholm supports the bill and says it makes minor technical changes needed to smoothly implement the veterans legislation reforms flowing from the Royal Commission response and the move to a single entitlement system from 1 July 2026.
Read in Hansard ↗Lawrence supports the bill and says it is part of the Albanese government's wider reforms to make veterans' laws clearer, fairer and better aligned, including on compensation, funeral payments, treatment-related injuries and education access.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
5 speakers · 6 contributions · 4 support · 1 unclear
“These amendments will help to ensure the smooth implementation of these reforms and the transition from the complicated tri-Act arrangement to the single ongoing Act.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Albanese government's expanding hubs nationally reflects that simple truth: that early, local and holistic support really does save lives. And, further, the Veteran Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill is part of the government's ongoing effort to ensure that veterans legislation is clearer and fairer and is better aligned. The amendments encompassed by the bill include measures dealing with compensation for dependants of deceased veterans, funeral compensation, injuries arising from treatment, access to education and appropriate notice, as well as other matters. I really do want to acknowledge the cultural change that is being driven through the veterans system.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“These technical amendments that have been outlined are being implemented to ensure that all of the legislative requirements are in place so that the shift from the tri-act system to just the one act can be done smoothly. It is so important to get this right. So, although the amendments are minor and seem technical in nature, they are critical to facilitating an understanding of entitlements by veterans and their families and critical to facilitating faster claim processing times. The simplification and harmonisation of the veteran compensation system form some of the most significant reform in a century to how veterans are supported in this country. The changes will enable veterans and their families to get the support they need and deserve when they need it. That is why this bill deals with so many matters—the review pathway, compensation for dependants of deceased veterans, funeral compensation, access to the MRCA education scheme, additional disablement amounts, Victoria Cross allowance and decoration allowance, service injuries, diseases and death arising from treatment and treatment for serving members. It is so broad reaching because we respect and are deeply grateful for the service, courage and dedication shown by active service personnel and veterans, all for the people of this great country.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Matt Keogh, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Moved amendment
Keogh supports the bill and says it makes minor but necessary technical changes to implement the veterans reform package properly, so support and payments continue smoothly from 1 July 2026. He argues the amendments will preserve existing entitlements while making the system simpler and easier for veterans and their families.
“Whilst the amendments contained in this bill are minor, they are critical to ensuring the intent of the VETS act and the smooth delivery of services continues and is ready for 1 July 2026. We are committed to getting this right for veterans and veteran families.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Keogh supports the bill and says it should pass because its minor technical amendments are needed to implement the VETS reforms smoothly and prevent interruptions to veterans' benefits and services. He argues the changes will help complete the move to a simpler single entitlement system from 1 July 2026.
“Whilst the amendments contained in the bill are minor, they are critical to ensuring the intent of the VETS act, and the smooth delivery of services, continues and is ready for 1 July 2026. These amendments are evidence we want to get this right, and we're keen to continue to work across the parliament to ensure the best outcomes for veterans and families of veterans. I commend the bill to the House.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“The original question that the bill be now read a second time. To this, the honourable member for Hume has moved an amendment that all the words after 'that' be omitted with a view to substituting other words. The immediate question is that the amendment be agreed to.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
5 speakers · 6 contributions · 5 support
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Michael McCormack on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
McCormack says the Coalition supports the bill because it simplifies and harmonises veterans compensation laws into a single framework that should be easier for veterans and families to use. He thanks the government for pursuing the reform, while noting there are some reservations not explained before the debate was adjourned.
“The coalition supported the royal commission interim report recommendations to simplify and harmonise veterans' compensation arrangements because the current multi-act system is difficult. It's complicated, it's hard to navigate and it's often very confusing for veterans and their families. We shouldn't make things hard for those veterans who've made life easier for us, which they have, by their very service, made life better for us. We should ensure that—and the coalition does support this; the Liberals and the Nationals support this—the primary reform legislation continues in the objective of a single ongoing framework under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, the MRCA. This will hopefully reduce duplication. It will provide better consistency in administration. It will make entitlements, claims and reviews easier for veterans and families to understand, navigate and access. Surely that is something that we all should very much applaud.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
McCormack supports the bill, saying it matters because today’s serving personnel will eventually become veterans and the system must be there to support them when their military careers end.
“I attended this particularly wonderful function at Duntroon to see Inigo Bardos, son of David and Jane from Wagga Wagga, graduate. Those who graduated on that day will one day be veterans. Those who graduated on that day will one day need our help. Those who graduated will look to the Department of Veterans Affairs. They will come through their military careers. There will be ups and downs, but we wish them every success. We know that they will uphold that bond of courage, unity and teamwork. So we must ensure that, when they do finish their military careers, we are there for them. That's why this veterans legislation is important.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“The coalition will support the passage of this bill because it's necessary to keep the veterans' compensation reforms on track and to ensure the transition to a single, simplified compensation and rehabilitation framework operating properly from 1 July 2026.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We will support this bill because veterans across Australia, particularly those in Monash, who I want to do my very best job for in this role, cannot afford delay. I support the bill but also associate myself with the remarks of the member for Herbert and my other Liberal colleagues.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Whilst I believe this is well intentioned, and whilst we don't want to stop these miscellaneous measures going through, I do think that that we must take heed and ask: what is the unintended consequence here? If someone has a drug problem or an alcohol problem, or if someone has any sort of reportable that's already in legislation now, when they get that help—whether it goes through the VRB, DVA or anything—it is mandatory for the healthcare professional to report it into the chain of command, because there's a safety issue. You can't drive your truck in the morning if you're drinking in the morning. You can't handle weapons if you're addicted to ice. There will be supports and help for those people that have these addictions and problems. But, if you've had a marriage breakdown or if you've returned from a deployment and you're going through a bit of a tough time, but you can still operate and do your job and there isn't a mandatory reportable, I don't think the CDF needs to open his email—or her email—and see that Private Such-and-such has gone through the VRB for a mental health concern or gone through the non-liability healthcare system. If that gets reported back to the chief, I just think it's an overreach. I think it's more red tape, and I want to make sure that our brave men and women feel comfortable and confident to be able to continue to serve and do their job with whatever it may be. The coalition has our position on this, and the shadow minister read it out last night.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2025. At the outset, the opposition supports the passage of this bill. We do so because these amendments are necessary to ensure the successful implementation of the veterans reform framework and to allow the transition to a single, simplified compensation and rehabilitation system to operate effectively from 1 July 2026.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 support
“Obviously, we need the bill. I'm not certainly not going to hold this up. My whole issue with this bill is that it should have been expedited and already completed by now.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Consideration in detail: amendments considered
Consideration in detail
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
