The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) is the oldest of the three Acts governing veterans' compensation. It primarily covers veterans with operational (warlike) service, including World War II, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, and operational deployments up to 30 June 2004.
The VEA provides Disability Compensation Payment (an ongoing fortnightly payment) based on assessed degree of incapacity. It also provides the Service Pension (income support) and the Gold Card for eligible veterans.
From 1 July 2026, the VEA closes to new compensation claims. Veterans who would have claimed under the VEA will instead use the improved MRCA. However, income support payments (Service Pension, ISS) remain under the VEA.
Existing VEA payments are grandparented — they continue and are indexed as usual.