Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

VETERANS' ENTITLEMENTS ACT 1986 - SECT 93ZG

             (1)  A person who requests a review under section 93Z may withdraw the request at any time before it is determined by the Commission.

             (2)  To withdraw the request, the person must give written notice of withdrawal to the Secretary and the notice must be lodged at an office of the Department in Australia.

             (3)  Subject to section 93ZA, a person who withdraws a request for review may subsequently make another request for review of the same decision.

Note:          Section 93ZA provides that a person who wants to request a review of a decision must do so within 3 months after the person has received notice of the decision.

Contents

Part VI--Allowances and other benefits                                                                     1

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                               1

94.......... Interpretation ...................................................................................... 1

96.......... Application ......................................................................................... 1

Division 2--Eligibility for allowances and other benefits                           3

97.......... Clothing allowance .............................................................................. 3

98.......... Attendant allowance ........................................................................... 4

98A....... Bereavement payment in respect of partnered disabled veterans ...... 6

98AA.... Bereavement payments in respect of certain single, disabled veterans 8

98B....... Funeral benefits--automatic grant to estate of certain deceased veterans                9

99.......... Further funeral benefits--veterans ..................................................... 9

100........ Funeral benefits--dependants of deceased veterans ........................ 12

102........ Decoration allowance ........................................................................ 13

103........ Victoria Cross allowance .................................................................. 14

104........ Recreation transport allowance ........................................................ 15

105........ Vehicle assistance scheme ................................................................. 17

106........ Special assistance .............................................................................. 18

107........ Temporary incapacity allowance ..................................................... 19

108........ Loss of earnings allowance ............................................................... 21

109........ Advances on account of loss of earnings allowance ......................... 26

110........ Travelling expenses ........................................................................... 27

Division 3--Procedural                                                                                               29

111........ Application ....................................................................................... 29

112........ Time for applying for certain benefits .............................................. 30

113........ Time for applying for funeral benefit ............................................... 31

114........ Commencement of payment of certain allowances .......................... 32

115........ Review of decision etc. ..................................................................... 33

Part VIA--Rehabilitation                                                                                                  35

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             35

115A..... Definitions ........................................................................................ 35

115B..... Making of the Scheme ...................................................................... 36

Division 2--Provisions relating to the income of veterans who participate in vocational rehabilitation programs                                                                                                  38

115C..... Rate of pension while on program .................................................... 38

115D..... Reduced daily pension amount--pensions under Parts II and IV .... 38

115E...... Application for increase in reduced daily pension amount .............. 41

115F...... Determination by the Commission ................................................... 41

115G..... Excluded income amount--invalidity service pensions .................... 42

Division 3--Recovery of cost of rehabilitation                                              43

115H..... Recovery of cost of rehabilitation .................................................... 43

115J...... Where a person receives a notice under subsection 115H(6) ........... 44

115K..... Recovery of amount by the Commonwealth .................................... 45

115L...... Determination of amount of costs of rehabilitation programs .......... 46

Part VII--Veterans' Children Education Scheme                                               47

116........ Interpretation .................................................................................... 47

116A..... Determination of class of persons for the purposes of paragraph (e) of the definition of eligible child in subsection 116(1) ............................................................................................... 49

116B..... Person may apply for determination under subsection 116C(2) ..... 50

116C..... Commission may determine that a person is a member of a class determined under section 116A         51

5>11 6D..... Review of Commission's decision under subsection 116C(1) ......... 51

117........ Preparation of the Scheme ................................................................ 52

118........ Commission may provide benefits under Scheme ............................ 53

Part VIIAA--Education entry payment                                                                    54

118AA.. Eligibility .......................................................................................... 54

118AAB.................................................................................... Need for a claim   54

118AAC................................................ Entitlement to and amount of payment   55

118AAD........................................................................ Payment to be refunded   55

Part VIIA--Veterans supplement                                                                                56

Division 1--Eligibility for veterans supplement                                           56

118A..... Veterans supplement for dependants of deceased veterans or for persons eligible for pharmaceutical benefits      56

118B..... Veterans supplement for certain Part II and Part IV pensioners or for World War 1 veterans                56

Division 2--Rate of veterans supplement                                                               58

118C..... Rate of veterans supplement--section 118A ................................... 58

118D..... Rate of veterans supplement--section 118B ................................... 58

Part VIIAB--Defence Force Income Support Allowance and related payments    59

Division 1--Introduction                                                                                           59

118N..... Simplified outline .............................................................................. 59

118NA.. Definitions ........................................................................................ 60

Division 2--Defence Force Income Support Allowance                           62

Subdivision A--Payment of Defence Force Income Support Allowance          62

118NB.. Payment of Defence Force Income Support Allowance .................. 62

Subdivision B--Rate of Defence Force Income Support Allowance                  63

118NC.. Rate of Defence Force Income Support Allowance ......................... 63

Subdivision C--Special rules for the Social Security Act                                 66

118ND.. Bereavement payments under the Social Security Act ..................... 66

118NE... Remote Area Allowance under the Social Security Act ................... 69

Division 3--DFISA bonus                                                                                         71

Subdivision A--Payment of DFISA bonus                                                             71

118NF... Payment of DFISA bonus ................................................................ 71

118NG.. When DFISA bonus is to be paid ..................................................... 71

118NH.. Payment of bonus after death ........................................................... 71

Subdivision B--Amount of DFISA bonus                                                               73

118NI.... Amount of DFISA bonus ................................................................. 73

118NIA. Top up of DFISA bonus for social security top up ........................ 73

Subdivision C--DFISA bonus bereavement payment                                           74

118NIB. Qualification for DFISA bonus bereavement payment .................... 74

118NIC. Amount of DFISA bonus bereavement payment ............................. 74

118NID. Payment of DFISA bonus bereavement payment ............................ 74

118NIE. Payment of DFISA bonus bereavement payment after death .......... 75

Division 4--DFISA‑like payments etc. under regulations                      76

118NJ... DFISA‑like payments etc. under regulations ................................... 76

Part VIIAD--Seniors supplement                                                                                78

Division 1--Eligibility                                                                                                  78

118P...... Eligibility for seniors supplement .................................................... 78

118PA... When seniors supplement is payable ............................................... 79

Division 2--Rate of seniors supplement                                                                  80

118PB... Rate of seniors supplement .............................................................. 80

Division 3--Payment of seniors supplement                                                          81

118PC... Payment of seniors supplement ....................................................... 81

Part VIIC--Seniors health card                                                                                     82

Division 1--Eligibility for and entitlement to a seniors health card   82

Subdivision A--Eligibility                                                                                        82

118V..... Eligibility for seniors health card ...................................................... 82

Subdivision B--Entitlement                                                                                     85

118W.... Entitlement to a seniors health card .................................................. 85

118X..... Social Security cardholder not entitled ............................................. 85

Division 2--Claim for seniors health card                                                        86

118Y..... Need for a claim ................................................................................ 86

118Z..... Who can claim? ................................................................................. 86

118ZA.. Making a claim .................................................................................. 86

118ZC... Claimant must be an Australian resident and in Australia ................ 86

118ZD.. Claim may be withdrawn .................................................................. 87

Division 3--Investigation of claim                                                                        88

118ZE... Secretary to investigate claim and submit it to Commission ............ 88

Division 4--Consideration and determination of claim                             89

118ZF... Duties of Commission in relation to claim ....................................... 89

118ZG.. Entitlement determination ................................................................ 90

118ZH.. Date of effect of determination ......................................................... 90

Division 5--Cardholder's obligations                                                                 91

118ZI.... Secretary may require notice of the happening of event or a change in circumstances             91

118ZJ.... Secretary may require particular information relevant to eligibility for seniors health card     92

118ZJA. When copy of notice of assessment of taxable income to be given to Department 94

Division 6--Continuation, variation and termination                                 95

118ZK.. Continuing effect of determination ................................................... 95

118ZL... Person ceases to be entitled to card automatically--recipient complying with section 118ZI notification obligations .......................................................................................................... 95

118ZM. Person ceases to be entitled to card automatically--recipient not complying with section 118ZI notification obligations .......................................................................................................... 96

118ZN.. Determination that a person ceases to be entitled to a seniors health card               96

118ZO.. Person may cease to be entitled to a seniors health card for failure to comply with section 118ZJ notice             97

118ZP... Resumption of entitlement ............................................................... 97

118ZQ.. Date of effect of favourable determination ....................................... 98

118ZR... Date of effect of adverse determination ............................................ 98

Division 7--Review of decisions                                                                           99

118ZS... Review of certain decisions .............................................................. 99

118ZT... Application for review ..................................................................... 99

118ZU.. Commission's powers where request for review ............................. 99

118ZV... Date of effect of certain review decisions ....................................... 100

118ZW.. Commission must make written record of review decision and reasons   100

118ZX.. Person who requested review to be notified of decision ................ 100

118ZY... Powers of Commission to gather evidence ..................................... 101

118ZZ... Withdrawal of request for review ................................................... 102

Division 8--Seniors Health Card Income Test Calculator                   103

118ZZA Seniors Health Card Income Test Calculator .................................. 103

Part VIID--2006 one‑off payment to older Australians                                108

118ZZB 2006 one‑off payment to older Australians ................................... 108

118ZZC Amount of the one‑off payment .................................................... 109

118ZZD Claim not required for 2006 one‑off payment to older Australians 109

118ZZE Payment of 2006 one‑off payment to older Australians ................ 110

118ZZF Debts arising in respect of 2006 one‑off payment to older Australians   110

Part VIIE--2007 one‑off payment to older Australians                                 112

118ZZG 2007 one‑off payment to older Australians ................................... 112

118ZZH Amount of the one‑off payment .................................................... 113

118ZZI. Claim not required for 2007 one‑off payment to older Australians 113

118ZZJ. Payment of 2007 one‑off payment to older Australians ................ 113

118ZZK Debts arising in respect of 2007 one‑off payment to older Australians   113

Part VIIF--2008 one‑off payment to older Australians                                 116

118ZZL 2008 one‑off payment to older Australians ................................... 116

118ZZM.......................................................... Amount of the one‑off payment   117

118ZZN Claim not required for 2008 one‑off payment to older Australians 117

118ZZO Payment of 2008 one‑off payment to older Australians ................ 117

118ZZP Debts arising in respect of 2008 one‑off payment to older Australians   117

Part VIIG--Economic security strategy payment                                             120

118ZZQ Eligibility for economic security strategy payment ....................... 120

118ZZR Amount of economic security strategy payment ........................... 121

118ZZS. Claim not required for economic security strategy payment ......... 121

118ZZT Payment of economic security strategy payment .......................... 121

118ZZU Debts arising in respect of economic security strategy payment ... 121

Part VIII--General provisions applicable to pensions etc.                          124

119........ Commission not bound by technicalities ........................................ 124

120........ Standard of proof ............................................................................ 126

120A..... Reasonableness of hypothesis to be assessed by reference to Statement of Principles           128

120B..... Reasonable satisfaction to be assessed in certain cases by reference to Statement of Principles             129

121........ Instalments of pension ................................................................... 130

122........ Payment of pension ........................................................................ 131

122A..... Pension or supplement may be paid to bank etc. ........................... 132

122B..... Direct deductions at person's request ............................................ 133

122C..... Payment of pension or allowance outside Australia ...................... 134

122D..... Deductions of DFISA, DFISA bonus and DFISA bonus bereavement payment paid to Commissioner of Taxation ........................................................................................................ 134

122E...... Deductions of DFISA paid to Child Support Registrar ................. 135

123........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 135

123A..... Payment of pension etc. on death of person .................................. 136

123B..... Distribution where deceased leaves valid will ................................ 137

123C..... Intestacy ......................................................................................... 139

123D..... Statutory order of distribution ....................................................... 139

123E...... Non‑distributable amounts ............................................................. 140

124........ Termination of pension .................................................................. 140

125........ Pensions etc. absolutely inalienable ................................................ 142

126........ Death of claimant ............................................................................ 142

126A..... Death of a person who has not made a formal claim etc. ............... 143

127........ Power to obtain information ........................................................... 144

128........ Secretary may obtain information etc. ............................................ 146

128A..... Provision of tax file numbers .......................................................... 149

129........ Self‑incrimination ............................................................................ 152

130........ Furnishing of information ............................................................... 152

131........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 152

132........ Payment of travelling expenses in certain cases ............................. 152

132A..... Advance of travelling expenses ....................................................... 156

Part IX--Veterans' Review Board                                                                            157

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                           157

133........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 157

Division 2--Continuance of Veterans' Review Board                             158

134........ Continuance of Veterans' Review Board ........................................ 158

Division 3--Review by the Board of decisions                                            159

135........ Review of decisions in respect of pensions and attendant allowances 159

136........ Application for review ................................................................... 162

137........ Secretary to prepare report ............................................................ 163

138........ Board not bound by technicalities etc. ........................................... 164

139........ Decision of Board ........................................................................... 165

140........ Statements of decisions of the Board etc. ....................................... 165

140A..... Correction of errors in decisions or statements of reasons ............. 167

Division 4--Organization of the Board                                                            168

141........ Constitution of Board for exercise of powers ................................ 168

142........ Principal Member responsible for arrangement of business ........... 168

143........ Members to constitute Board ......................................................... 168

144........ Member ceasing to be member etc. ................................................. 169

145........ Places of sitting ............................................................................... 170

Division 5--Proceedings before the Board                                                   171

146........ Principal Member or Senior Member to preside at hearing ............ 171

147........ Parties to review before Board ....................................................... 171

148........ Procedure of Board ......................................................................... 172

149........ Questions to be decided by majority of Board ............................... 174

150........ Hearing to be in private except in special circumstances ................ 174

151........ Powers of Board ............................................................................. 175

152........ Request to Secretary for documents etc. ........................................ 176

153........ Information may be made available to parties ................................ 176

154........ Period of operation of certain decisions of Board .......................... 177

155........ Withdrawal of application .............................................................. 177

155AA.. Power to dismiss application--initial consideration ...................... 178

155AB.. Power to dismiss application--subsequent consideration ............. 179

155AC.. Representation of applicant where outcome could be dismissal of application       180

155A..... Review by Administrative Appeals Tribunal ................................ 181

Division 6--Date of operation of decisions of Board                                182

156........ Date of operation of decision by Board ......................................... 182

157........ Dates that may be specified ........................................................... 182

Division 7--Membership of the Board                                                            185

158........ Appointment of members of Board ............................................... 185

159........ Terms of appointment .................................................................... 185

160........ Remuneration and allowances of members ..................................... 185

161........ Acting members .............................................................................. 186

162........ Leave of absence ............................................................................. 187

163........ Resignation ..................................................................................... 187

164........ Removal from office ....................................................................... 187

165........ Disclosure of interests .................................................................... 189

Division 8--Miscellaneous                                                                                     191

166........ Delegation ....................................................................................... 191

167........ Protection of members and witnesses ............................................ 191

168........ Failure of witness to attend ............................................................ 191

169........ Refusal to be sworn or to answer questions etc. ............................ 192

170........ Contempt of Board ......................................................................... 193

170A..... Medical expenses ............................................................................ 193

170B..... Travelling expenses for obtaining medical evidence ........................ 194

170C..... Advance of travelling expenses ....................................................... 195

171........ Fees for witnesses .......................................................................... 196

172........ Staff to assist Board ....................................................................... 196

173........ Oath or affirmation of office ........................................................... 196

Part X--Review of decisions by Administrative Appeals Tribunal         197

174........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 197

175........ Applications for review .................................................................. 197

176........ Application of Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act ................... 199

177........ Effective dates of certain determinations relating to payment of pension or seniors health card             202

178........ Period of operation of certain decisions of Administrative Appeals Tribunal         204

Part XI--The Repatriation Commission                                                                 206

Division 1--Establishment, functions and powers                                     206

179........ Continuance of Commission ........................................................... 206

180........ Functions of Commission ............................................................... 206

180A..... Determination by Commission ....................................................... 207

181........ Powers of Commission ................................................................... 210

Division 2--Constitution and meetings of Commission                         212

182........ Membership of the Commission .................................................... 212

183........ President and Deputy President ..................................................... 212

184........ Appointment of Secretary as a Commissioner and President ........ 213

185........ Remuneration and allowances ......................................................... 214

186........ Leave of absence ............................................................................. 214

187........ Resignation ..................................................................................... 214

188........ Termination of appointment .......................................................... 214

189........ Commissioner to disclose any interest in claims for pensions etc. 216

190........ Commissioner to disclose other interests ....................................... 218

191........ Acting commissioners ..................................................................... 218

192........ Acting President or Deputy President ........................................... 219

193........ Appointment to act as President and also Secretary ...................... 221

194........ Appointments ................................................................................ 224

195........ Meetings ......................................................................................... 225

Division 3--Staff                                                                                                           227

196........ Staff ................................................................................................ 227

Part XIA--The Repatriation Medical Authority                                               228

Division 1--Establishment, functions and powers                                     228

196A..... Establishment of Authority ............................................................ 228

196B..... Functions of Authority .................................................................. 228

196C..... Powers of Authority with respect to investigations ...................... 235

196CA.. Authority not required to investigate certain requests ................... 236

196CB... Authority may consolidate requests .............................................. 237

196E...... Request for an investigation, review etc. ........................................ 237

196F...... Submissions to the Authority ........................................................ 238

196G..... Notice of investigation .................................................................... 238

196H..... Copyright in submissions ............................................................... 239

196I....... Access to information ..................................................................... 240

196J...... Notice of decision not to make etc. Statement of Principles .......... 240

196K..... Repatriation Medical Authority to send information to Review Council                240

196KA.. Definitions for the purposes of the MRCA ................................... 241

Division 2--Constitution and meetings                                                           242

196L...... Membership ................................................................................... 242

196M.... Qualifications .................................................................................. 242

196N..... Tenure of office .............................................................................. 242

196O..... Resignation ..................................................................................... 242

196P...... Termination of appointment .......................................................... 242

196Q..... Acting Chairperson ......................................................................... 243

196R..... Meetings ......................................................................................... 243

196S...... Remuneration and allowances ......................................................... 243

Division 3--Staff and consultants                                                                        245

196T..... Staff ................................................................................................ 245

196U..... Consultants ..................................................................................... 245

Part XIB--The Specialist Medical Review Council                                        246

Division 1--Establishment and functions                                                       246

196V..... Establishment of Council ................................................................ 246

196W.... Functions of Review Council ......................................................... 246

196X..... Notification of decision of Review Council to be notified in Gazette 249

196Y..... Request for review of contents of Statement of Principles etc. ..... 249

196Z..... Request for review of decision of Repatriation Medical Authority not to carry out an investigation     250

196ZA.. Submissions to Review Council ..................................................... 251

196ZB... Notice of investigation .................................................................... 252

196ZC... Copyright in submissions ............................................................... 253

196ZD.. Access to information ..................................................................... 253

Division 2--Constitution and meetings                                                           254

196ZE... Membership ................................................................................... 254

196ZF... Qualifications .................................................................................. 254

196ZG.. Tenure of office .............................................................................. 254

196ZH.. Resignation ..................................................................................... 255

196ZI.... Termination of appointment .......................................................... 255

196ZJ.... Acting Convener ............................................................................. 255

196ZK.. Conduct of reviews ......................................................................... 255

196ZL... Remuneration and allowances ......................................................... 256

Division 3--Staff                                                                                                           257

196ZM. Staff ................................................................................................ 257

Division 4--Payment of medical and travelling expenses                     258

196ZN.. Medical expenses ............................................................................ 258

196ZO.. Travelling expenses for obtaining medical evidence ........................ 259

196ZP... Advance of travelling expenses ....................................................... 260

Part XII--Miscellaneous                                                                                                 261

197A..... Saving and transitional provisions .................................................. 261

197........ Pensions etc. not for certain members of the Defence Force .......... 261

198........ Variations of rates of certain pensions ........................................... 262

198A..... Variation of rates of orphan's pension ........................................... 266

198D..... Variation of rates of certain allowances etc. ................................... 267

198F...... Indexation of veterans supplement ................................................. 269

198FA... Indexation of Victoria Cross allowance .......................................... 270

198FB... Rates for service pension and income support supplement increased on 20 September 2009                272

198G..... 1 July 2000 increase in certain amounts ......................................... 273

198GA.. 1 July 2000 increase in rent assistance amounts ............................ 275

198H..... Adjustment of amounts following 1 July 2000 increase ................ 275

198J...... 1 July 2000 increase in income test free area .................................. 280

198K..... 1 July 2000 increase in assets test free area ................................... 281

198L...... 1 July 2000 increase in income/assets reduction limit .................... 281

198M.... Rounding off provisional replacement amounts ............................. 281

198N..... Cancellation of entitlement to pension ........................................... 282

199........ Appropriation ................................................................................ 282

200........ Commission may accept contributions .......................................... 283

201........ Commission may administer trusts ................................................ 284

202........ Trustees for pensioners .................................................................. 285

202A..... Commission or public servant acting as trustee ............................. 287

202B..... Other person acting as trustee ........................................................ 288

203........ Arrangements with Governments of other countries ..................... 289

205........ Recovery of overpayments ............................................................ 289

205AAA..................................................................... Notices in respect of debt   293

205AAB..................................................................................... Interest on debt   294

205AAC...................................... Determination that interest not to be payable   296

205AAD........................................................................... Administrative charge   297

205AAE Penalty interest rate ........................................................................ 297

205AA.. Recovery of overpayment by deduction from other pension, benefit or allowance                 297

205AB.. Recovery of certain amounts from financial institutions ................ 298

205A..... Commission may take action in relation to money owing to pensioners                 299

205B..... Certain decisions of Commission reviewable under Social Security Act etc.           302

206........ Waiver etc. of debts ........................................................................ 302

208........ Offences .......................................................................................... 303

209........ Multiple offences ........................................................................... 305

210........ Judicial notice to be taken of certain matters .................................. 305

210A..... Evidence .......................................................................................... 306

211........ Order for repayment of pension etc. .............................................. 306

212........ Delegation by Minister ................................................................... 308

213........ Delegation by Commission ............................................................. 308

214........ Delegation by Secretary .................................................................. 309

214A..... Telephone access to offices at cheap rate ....................................... 310

215........ Annual report ................................................................................. 310

216........ Regulations ..................................................................................... 311