The DVA system is complex.
We make it navigable.
You do not need to have everything worked out before you contact us. Most veterans who reach out are unsure where to start — and that is exactly the right time to talk to an advocate. Our first consultation is always free.
No paperwork. No obligation. Just a conversation.
DVA changes on 1 July 2026.
Most veterans don't know what it means for their claim.
VEA and DRCA close to new claims in under 30 days. Whether you've never claimed, have existing claims, or are unsure where you stand — get the plain-English information now.
Where do you sit?
Find the right path for your situation
Still serving in the ADF?
Planning ahead before you discharge is the most important thing you can do for your future entitlements. Here is what to do while you still have access to your records.
See your options Recently transitionedDischarged in the last 5 years?
The transition window is critical. Conditions not claimed early are harder to establish later. Find out what you should be claiming now.
See your options Long-term veteranServed years ago and never claimed?
It is not too late. Many veterans with decades-old conditions still have valid pathways under DVA. Do not assume the door is closed without speaking to an advocate.
See your options Supporting a veteranSupporting a veteran or family member?
You can contact us on behalf of a veteran. Family members and carers play a vital role — and have entitlements of their own worth understanding.
See your optionsClient Outcomes
Real veterans. Real outcomes.
Every claim we handle is someone's life. Here is what that looks like in practice.
I initially planned to submit my own claims, but after receiving my medical file I felt overwhelmed and sat on it for two years, close to giving up. Contacting Advocates Online changed that. I was introduced to Jas, who made the process feel manageable — nothing was ever too hard. She communicated well and often worked behind the scenes to resolve things before even needing to update me, which greatly reduced my stress. When she was away, other team members stepped in and kept me informed, so I always felt supported. I am so glad I chose Advocates Online.
ADF Veteran — DVA Claims
I highly recommend the services of Advocates Online. Their expertise with the DVA claims process and the support they provided was excellent. They provided regular updates and answered all my questions along the way.
ADF Veteran — DVA Claims
Army Officer — Lieutenant Colonel, Engineers
19 years service including operational deployments and a Conspicuous Service Cross
Discharged in 2015 carrying PTSD, lumbar degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, hearing loss, compression fractures and severe obstructive sleep apnoea. On paper, a successful career. In reality, a senior officer who had pushed through years of psychological and physical injury — and whose post-service work was reduced to casual and short-hour roles he could never sustain.
His original discharge was recorded as voluntary. No medical recognition of the impairments he was already living with. No invalidity classification. No backdated entitlement.
We built the retrospective case from Defence medical records, psychiatric evidence, statutory declarations from former colleagues and a vocational analysis. Class A invalidity classification secured, backdated to date of discharge.
Army Lance Corporal — Special Air Service Regiment
Almost 10 years service
Discharged in 1996 with bilateral ankle injuries, bilateral shoulder injuries including rotator cuff damage and ACJ osteoarthritis, and lumbar spondylosis. A trained mechanical fitter and turner with a clear pathway after service — none of which his body could sustain.
For nearly three decades he carried the injuries without the classification or the entitlements that should have come with them.
We built the retrospective case from his service medical record, co-worker statements, treating practitioner evidence and the DVA permanent impairment determination. Class A invalidity classification secured, backdated to date of discharge in 1996.
About Advocates Online
Who we are and what we stand for
Our Vision
Every veteran who served gets every entitlement they earned. No exceptions.
Our Mission
To stand beside every veteran and family navigating DVA, CSC and medical discharge — with expert advocacy, plain-English guidance and the tenacity to fight for what they are owed.
Our Values
Veterans first, always.
Every decision we make starts with what is right for the veteran in front of us — not what is convenient for us.
No veteran left uninformed.
Every veteran who contacts Advocates Online leaves knowing more than when they arrived — even if we cannot take their case.
Ethical advocacy, without exception.
We will never lodge a claim we do not believe in, never overstate an entitlement, and never put a fee ahead of a veteran's outcome.
Plain English, always.
The DVA system speaks in legislation. We translate it into language veterans can act on.
The long game.
We are custodians of veteran advocacy — not just for today's clients but for the veterans who will need us in ten years.
The Enduring Spirit Anzac March
300km. $30,000 raised.
One mission.
From Holsworthy to Canberra — because service to Australia does not end when the uniform comes off.
300km
Walked from Holsworthy to Canberra
$30K
Raised for the Sallyman in the field
$15K
Committed every year for ten years
10yrs
Long-term commitment to veteran welfare
This is not a marketing initiative. It is an expression of what Advocates Online believes — that the veteran community deserves advocates who show up, not just in consultation rooms, but wherever veterans need support. Every day, we continue to stand beside those navigating claims, transitions and life after service.
See upcoming eventsOUR PROCESS
Easy steps to achieve your goals
Intake
Interview
Sign
Documents
Gather
Evidence
Review
& Submit
Execute
Goals
Achieved
Transparent Fees
How fees work
We believe every veteran deserves to understand the cost of advocacy before they commit to anything. No hidden fees. No surprises. No pressure.
Free first consultation
The first consultation with Advocates Online is always free. This allows veterans and families to ask questions, understand their options and decide whether advocacy support is right for them. No paperwork. No obligation. No pressure to proceed.
All child-related claims at no cost
All child-related claims are supported by Advocates Online at no cost to the veteran or family. This is not a fee waiver — it is our commitment. Every child affected by a parent's service deserves full advocacy support, regardless of the family's financial situation.
DVA claims — clear fee structure
Some advocacy services involve fees, while others are provided at no cost. DVA claims are supported under a transparent fee structure which is explained clearly before any work begins. You will always be informed upfront and given the opportunity to decide how you wish to proceed.
No hidden costs
What we agree is what you pay
Fee agreed before work begins
No surprises at any stage
You decide
No pressure, no obligation to proceed
Veteran Questions
What veterans are asking right now
What actually changed on 1 July 2026 — and does it affect my claim?
From 1 July 2026, all new DVA claims must be lodged under MRCA. The VEA and DRCA are now closed to new lodgements. If you already have an accepted claim, nothing changes — your entitlements continue exactly as they are. If you have never claimed, MRCA is now your pathway.
Read the plain-English guideDVA rejected my claim. Is it worth fighting it?
A rejection is not the final word. A significant number of DVA rejections are overturned when veterans have proper advocacy support. You can request an internal review or take your case to the Veterans Review Board. The most important thing is to act before the review deadline passes — contact an advocate immediately.
Talk to an advocate todayWho qualifies for the DVA Gold Card — and am I eligible?
The Gold Card covers all health conditions — not just service-related ones. Eligibility pathways include TPI status, service pension with extreme disablement, World War II and Korean War veterans, POWs, and certain medal holders. War widows may also qualify in their own right. An advocate can assess your specific situation for free.
Find out if you qualifyI got out years ago and never claimed. Is it too late?
It is not too late. Many veterans with conditions from decades-old service still have valid pathways under DVA — including retrospective invalidity claims backdated to the date of discharge. Do not assume the door is closed without speaking to an advocate. The conversation is free and the answer might surprise you.
Find out where you standWhat is permanent impairment and how much will DVA pay me?
Permanent impairment compensation is a lump sum payment for conditions that are accepted by DVA and have caused a lasting reduction in your quality of life. The amount is assessed against a whole-person impairment framework. Many veterans with accepted conditions have never been assessed for PI and may be entitled to a significant lump sum they do not know about.
Get your claim assessedI am still serving — what should I do before I discharge?
The most valuable thing you can do before discharge is document every health condition in your Defence medical records and gather your service history while you still have access to it. Conditions not formally documented before discharge are significantly harder to claim after. Book a free consultation with an Advocates Online advocate before your discharge date.
Talk to an advocate before you dischargeUnsure where to start?
You don’t need to have everything worked out before reaching out. Many veterans and families contact us with questions before deciding whether advocacy support is right for them.
Want to ask a question?
Join our “Ask An Advocate” Facebook group below.
Join Our Group - Ask An Advocate →
Articles →
FAQs →
Common Questions
DVA & Veteran Advocacy — Frequently Asked Questions
The questions veterans ask us most. Plain English — no jargon, no bureaucratic language.
See all DVA questionsFrom 1 July 2026, all new DVA claims must be lodged under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (MRCA). The VEA and DRCA are now closed to new lodgements.
If you already have an accepted claim, nothing changes — your entitlements continue exactly as they are. If you have never claimed, MRCA is now your pathway regardless of when you served.
The first consultation is always free — no paperwork, no obligation, no pressure.
All child-related DVA claims are supported at no cost to the veteran or family. For other claims, our fee structure is transparent and discussed upfront before you commit to anything.
We will never charge you for work we have not agreed on together first.
Contact us to book a free initial conversation. You do not need to have everything worked out — most veterans who contact us are unsure where to start, and that is exactly the right time to talk to an advocate.
Call 1300 559 421 or book online at any time. We work with veterans across Australia by phone and video.
Yes — in many cases. The absence of a formal report during service does not automatically disqualify you.
We can build a case using service medical records, co-worker statements, treating practitioner evidence and other documentation. Some of our strongest outcomes have come from claims where no formal report existed during service.
VAPSA is the independent professional body that sets and enforces ethical standards for veteran advocates in Australia.
VAPSA accreditation means our advocates operate under an externally enforced code of conduct — not a self-declared one. It is the difference between a qualified advocate and an unqualified practitioner.
When you work with Advocates Online, you are working with accredited professionals who are accountable to an independent standard.