Household Services Entitlements Are Changing from July 2026

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From 1 July 2026, major changes to veteran access to DVA-funded Household Services (HHS) will take effect as part of the alignment of veteran legislation.  These changes will expand eligibility, particularly for veterans previously covered under the VEA.  They will also create significant demand pressure on the system. Understanding the changes early—and preparing properly—will matter.

The 1 July 2026 start date is fixed.

• Veterans assessed under the VEA cannot lodge HHS claims before this date
• Claims submitted early will not be accepted or processed
• However, waiting until July 2026 to prepare is a mistake

Once the change takes effect, Department of Veterans’ Affairs is expected to face:

• A surge in new and transitional claims
   
• Longer assessment and approval timeframes
   
• Increased pressure on service availability, particularly outside Australia
   

Veterans who are ready on day one will be better placed than those starting from scratch.

From 1 July 2026:

• Eligibility for Household Services will be broadened
• Long-standing distinctions between legislative schemes will be removed 
• More veterans—particularly ageing and overseas veterans—will be able to seek assistance with domestic support
   

What does not change:

• Services still require approval 
• Services must still be reasonable, necessary, and linked to accepted conditions
• Ongoing management remains the veteran’s responsibility
   

Approval alone does not organise services.  That is where many veterans struggle.

Being approved for HHS does not automatically mean:

• A provider is available where you live
• Services will be scheduled correctly
• Payments will be straightforward
• Entitlements will be fully used without breaching caps
   

This is particularly true for veterans:

• Living overseas
• Living in regional or remote locations
• Managing multiple services across a year
   

Without proper coordination, approved entitlements are often under-used, delayed, or disrupted.

Australian Defence Force Veterans – Overseas Household Services (ADFV-OHS) supports veterans after approval by focusing on delivery, not bureaucracy.

We assist with:

• Identifying suitable local service providers
• Working with providers who operate outside standard Australian systems
• Supporting veterans to engage providers confidently and lawfully
   

• Structuring services across the year to avoid gaps or clustering
• Managing visit frequency against approved limits
• Ensuring services remain within financial caps while maximising use
   

• Assisting with payment coordination where required
• Reducing the administrative burden on veterans and families
• Helping avoid service interruption due to process issues
   

• Adjusting schedules as circumstances change
• Supporting reviews and variations where justified
• Providing continuity for veterans who cannot easily manage the process themselves
   

We do not replace DVA.  We do not provide the services.  We help make approved services work in the real world.

Even though claims cannot be lodged before 1 July 2026, now is the time to:

• Understand whether you are likely to be eligible
• Identify the services you may require
• Gather supporting medical and functional information
• Plan how services would be delivered where you live
• Prepare to submit promptly once claims open
   

Early preparation reduces risk.  Late preparation increases delays.

Veterans living outside Australia face additional complexity:

• Fewer recognised providers
• Different payment norms
• Language, cultural, and regulatory differences
   

ADFV-OHS specialises in bridging that gap.

If you expect to be eligible for DVA-funded Household Services from 1 July 2026, or you want assistance preparing your claim in advance, we can help.

ADFV-OHS supports veterans by:

• Discussing likely eligibility and service needs
• Assisting with claim preparation before lodgement opens
• Planning provider arrangements, scheduling, and delivery after approval
• Supporting veterans living overseas or in hard-to-service locations
   

Early preparation matters.  Claims cannot be lodged before 1 July 2026—but being ready beforehand can reduce delays once applications open.

Contact us to discuss a claim or for assistance preparing for 1 July 2026:

📧 support@adfv-ohs.com.au
📱 +61 (0)403 908 360
🌐 www.adfv-ohs.com.au