They're at it again

The 2026–27 Budget just confirmed what we already knew: DVA's playbook is to restrict veteran access and call it reform.

Last week's Federal Budget announced $169.7 million over five years to increase allied health provider fees for veterans from 1 July 2027. DVA is calling it "the largest investment in veteran allied health provider fees in more than 20 years." Sounds good, right?  Here's what they're not leading with.

That $170 million "investment" is being paid for by introducing a $5,000 annual cap on what each veteran can spend on allied health services — physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy, podiatry, exercise physiology, and everything else except dental, optical, and hearing.

The savings from that cap? $748 million over three years. Plus another $30 million from "simplifying referral requirements."

The total savings package? $779.5 million over five years, and $352 million per year ongoing.

Do the maths. They're spending $170 million and cutting $780 million. The net result is $605.9 million in savings taken directly from veteran healthcare.

 
Sound familiar?

This is the exact same pattern we've been fighting with MLCOA and compensation assessments:

DVA identifies outlier examples of overservicing or alleged provider fraud
Uses those outliers to justify a system-wide restriction on all veterans
Dresses it up as "reform" and "protecting veterans from being taken advantage of"
The savings come straight out of veterans' pockets

Join the fight against DVAs stripping of Veteran Health Care Services by joining: faircareforveterans.com.au