Australia to Give National Servicemen Equal Health Benefits but at $200 Million Cost Over Two Years

Abc reported that about 63,000 men drafted into National Service between 1965 and 1972 through a birthday-based lottery will gain equal access to health benefits under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 beginning July 1. Roughly 19,000 of those conscripts served in Vietnam while the rest completed their 18-to-24-month terms in training or non-combat roles inside Australia.

The policy consolidates three separate veterans' compensation schemes, including coverage for Vietnam-era National Servicemen and participants in the 1951-59 National Service Training Scheme.

It follows a recommendation in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide report delivered in 2024. Federal Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said any veteran, including National Servicemen, who files a new claim after July 1 will be handled under the single scheme.

Veterans whose existing conditions covered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs have materially worsened can also seek additional support through new claims after that date.

George Filipowicz, 75, who was conscripted in 1970 while living in Adelaide and now serves on the Nasho Fair Go board representing South Australia and the Northern Territory, described dental work performed by a trainee at the Puckapunyal training facility that later required $2,500 in corrective treatment.

He said an earlier claim for the injury was refused and noted that average claims processing has taken 400 days. Jan Squire, 79, who was conscripted in 1967, reported that the department covered one knee replacement but declined compensation for a second.