Skip to content
Veterans Affairs

Media Release – Minister Keogh – Veterans to receive better access to a GP

Department of Veterans' Affairs 2 mins read

 

THE HON MATT KEOGH MP

Minister for VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

MEDIA RELEASE

 

1 November 2023


Veterans to receive better access to a GP

The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring the veteran community is provided with the best possible services and supports.

With increasing costs of living and rising costs for business, the veteran community has told us they are finding it harder to find GPs who will treat them without out of pocket costs.

That changes today.

From today it will be easier to access a GP for more than 276,000 Australian veterans.

In line with the tripling of the bill billing incentive, the Albanese Government is investing $33.3 million to triple the Veteran Access Payment (VAP) for certain GP services.

 

The VAP is an incentive payment GP’s receive, in addition to the Medicare rebate, when treating veterans who hold a DVA Gold or White Card.

The tripling of this payment will help to ensure GPs continue to service veterans with no out of pocket costs.

 

These changes will see payment for a GP consultation of up to 20 minutes (Level B) increase by more than $16 in metropolitan areas and more than $31 in the most remote areas of Australia. 

 

Payments apply to general face-to-face and telehealth GP consultations, including home visits for people who are homebound, and consultations in residential aged-care facilities.

 

In an effort to further reduce the burden on medical practitioners, a review is currently underway to simplify and consolidate the Department of Veterans’ Affairs forms that medical professionals are required to complete.

 

The first package of the 19 most frequently used forms has been consolidated down to 7, while a process is underway to significantly reduce the remaining 54 forms by mid-2024.

 

MEDIA CONTACT: STEPHANIE MATHEWS - 0407 034 485

 

Who will benefit?

 

This measure will incentivise GPs to treat the more than 276,000 veterans and eligible dependents who hold Veteran White or Gold Cards.

 

From 1 November 2023, GPs who treat Veteran Card holders will receive increased VAP fees: Modified Monash category

VAP as at 1 July 2023

(pre 1 Nov indexation)
VAP as at 1 November 2023
1 – metropolitan areas $8.05 $24.25
2 – regional centres $12.20 $36.90
3-4 large and medium rural towns $12.95 $39.20
5 – small rural towns $13.80 $41.65
6 – remote communities $14.55 $43.95
7 – very remote communities $15.45 $46.65
Notes: Indexation of 0.5 percent applied on 1 November ahead of VAP increase.

More from this category

  • Veterans Affairs
  • 14/02/2025
  • 09:59
KSC Claims

KSC Claims Supports the Establishment of DVA’s Institute of Veteran Advocates

Brisbane, Australia– KSC Claims welcomes the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) initiative to establish theInstitute of Veteran Advocates, recognising its potential to improve the…

  • Contains:
  • Veterans Affairs
  • 14/02/2025
  • 09:01
Department of Veterans' Affairs

Minister Keogh – Media Release – A Nation’s Appreciation

OFFICIAL THE HON MATT KEOGH MP Minister for VETERANS’ AFFAIRS MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL MEDIA RELEASE 14 February 2025 A Nation's Appreciation Today, on National Servicemen’s Day, Australia honours the thousands of men who served as National Servicemen, or “Nashos”. Whether stationed at home or deployed overseas to locations including Borneo, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam and Korea, Nashos played a vital role in protecting the nation. They put their lives on hold, and on the line, to bolster Australia’s defence. Between 1951 and 1972, more than 280,000 Australians participated in two National Service Schemes. In the 1950s Scheme, some…

  • Veterans Affairs
  • 13/02/2025
  • 13:37
Department of Veterans' Affairs

Media Release – Minister Keogh – Historic Reform for Veterans’ and Families’ Benefits Passes the Parliament

OFFICIAL THE HON MATT KEOGH MP Minister for VETERANS’ AFFAIRS MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL MEDIA RELEASE 13 February 2025 HISTORIC REFORM FOR VETERANS’ AND FAMILIES' BENEFITS passes the parliament Today, Parliament has passed the most significant legislative reform of Australia’s veteran support system in a century. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Interim Report recommended the urgent simplification and harmonisation of the veteran compensation and rehabilitation system. The Final Report recommended the establishment of a new statutory entity to provide independent oversight of system reform now known as the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission. The Albanese Government promised…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.