Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme 2024 (Cth)

Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme 2024

I, Matthew James Keogh, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, approve for the purposes of subsections 115B(6) and (9) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, the determination by the Repatriation Commission in the following instrument.

Dated 13 February 2025

Matthew James Keogh Minister for Veterans' Affairs

The Repatriation Commission determines the following scheme. Dated 10 December 2024

The Seal of the Repatriation Commission was affixed to this instrument in the presence of: Mark Brewer Gwen Cherne AM CSC and Bar Acting Deputy President Commissioner

Kahlil Fegan DSC AM Commissioner

Contents Chapter 1—Preliminary 4 1.1—The Scheme 4 1.1.1 Name 4 1.1.2 Commencement 4 1.1.3 Authority 4 1.1.4 Repeals 4 1.2—Objectives and Principles of the Scheme 5 1.2.1 Objectives 5 1.2.2 Principles 5 1.3—Interpretation 6 1.3.1 Definitions 6 1.3.2 Approved program 7 1.3.3 Content of an approved program 7 1.3.4 When an application is taken to be made 8 1.4—Information to be obtained by Secretary 9 1.4.1 Assessment of a veteran for participation in the Scheme 9 1.4.2 Report from a service provider 9 1.4.3 Report and other material to be provided to the Commission 9 1.5—Rehabilitation plan 10 1.5.1 A rehabilitation plan must first be prepared and approved 10 1.5.2 Veteran to be involved in preparing the rehabilitation plan 10 1.5.3 Amending an approved plan 10 1.5.4 Services to be in accordance with an approved plan 10 Chapter 2—Programs for special rate and intermediate rate pensioners and invalidity service pensioners 11 2.1—Participation in the Scheme by veterans in receipt of certain pensions 12 2.1.1 Application for approval to participate in the Scheme 12 2.2—Vocational rehabilitation program 13 2.2.1 Participation in the Scheme 13 2.2.2 Approval of a vocational rehabilitation program 13 2.2.3 Criteria for participation in the Scheme 13 2.2.4 Labour market 13 2.2.5 Medical management and psychosocial services 14 2.3—Commencement and cessation of a vocational rehabilitation program 15 2.3.1 Commencement of a vocational rehabilitation program 15 2.3.2 Failure to comply with an approved plan or approved program 15 2.3.3 Cessation of a vocational rehabilitation program 15 Chapter 3—Programs for other veterans 16 3.1—Participation in the Scheme by veterans other than those referred to in Chapter 2 17 3.1.1 Application for approval to participate in the Scheme 17 3.2—Rehabilitation program 18 3.2.1 Approval of a rehabilitation program 18 3.2.2 Criteria for participation in the Scheme 18 3.2.2A Medical management and psychosocial services 18 3.2.3 Elements not normally included in an approved program 18 3.2.4 Failure to comply with an approved plan or approved program 19 Chapter 4—Other assistance to veterans participating in the Scheme 20 4.1—Other assistance available under this Chapter 21 4.1.1 Availability of other assistance 21 4.1.2 Application for a grant under this Chapter 21 4.2—Transport and accommodation assistance 22 4.2.1 Grant may be made in special circumstances 22 4.3—Aids, appliances, and workplace modifications 23 4.3.1 Grant to veteran or employer 23 4.3.2 Assessment report to be obtained 23 4.3.3 Regard must be had to assessment report 23 4.3.4 Grant not to be for tools of trade or establishing a business 23 4.4—Education programs 24 4.4.1 Education programs 24 4.4.2 Grants for text books and study materials 24 4.4.3 Application for excess expenses grant 24 4.4.4 Commission may make excess expenses grant 24 4.4.5 Payment of Higher Education Loan Program fees 24 4.4.6 Payment of Higher Education Loan Program fees after the first semester of a course of study 25 4.4.7 Payment of student union fees 25 4.5—Grants must be applied to the relevant purpose 26 4.5.1 Proof of payment may be required 26 Chapter 5—Notification of decisions and review rights 27 5.1—Notification to veteran 28 5.1.1 Notification of decision and review rights 28 5.2—Review of decisions by the Repatriation Commission 29 5.2.1 Who may seek a review 29 5.2.2 Making a request for review 29 5.2.4 Review by the Commission 29 5.2.5 Delegate cannot review own decision 29 5.2.6 The Commission's powers on review 29 5.2.7 Substituted decision 29 5.2.8 Notification of decisions upon review 29 5.3—Review by Tribunal 30 5.3.1 Application to Tribunal 30 5.3.2 Modification of Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024, s 18 30 Chapter 6—Transitionals 31 6.1 Definitions—Chapter 6 31 6.2 Transitional—approved programs or plans 31 6.3 Transitional—approved forms 31 6.4 Transitional—applications not yet determined 31 6.5 Transitional—decisions not reviewed by Commission before commencement day 31 6.6 Transitional—decisions made on or after 14 October 2024—review by Tribunal 31