Australian Defence Force service and Department of Veterans' Affairs client status

Definition

This topic refers to Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) client status and service in the Australian Defence Force.

There are many varying eligibility requirements to receive DVA benefits.

Persons who may be eligible:

• ADF veterans
• British, Commonwealth and Allied forces veterans who served in conflicts in which Australia was involved
• Former serving members (including reservists and cadets)
• Current serving members of the ADF
• Partner/Spouse of an eligible member/veteran
• Widow/Widower of an eligible member/veteran
• Children of an eligible member/veteran
• Police officers who served in a declared peacekeeping force.

The question relating to DVA benefits was asked regardless of whether the respondent was a current or former serving member of the Australian Defence Force.

Population

Information was obtained for persons aged 15 years and over in the 2017-18 NHS.

Methodology

Department of Veterans' Affairs client

Respondents were asked whether they were currently a client of the Department of Veterans' Affairs or had ever received a benefit or support of the Department of Veterans' Affairs. They were classified as:

• Is a DVA client or has received a benefit or support from DVA
• Is not a DVA client and has never received a benefit or support from DVA.

Australian Defence Force service

Respondents were asked whether they had ever served in the Australian Defence Force and were classified as:

• Has served in the ADF
• Has not served in the ADF.

Data Items

The questionnaire, data items and related output categories for this topic are available in pdf / Excel spreadsheet format from the Downloads page of this product.

Comparability with 2014-15

Defence Force Service is considered directly comparable with 2014-15 NHS.

The question on Department of Veterans' Affairs client status was a new item introduced in the 2017-18 NHS.