A. Veterans’ Affairs

Audit strategy overview

The Veterans’ Affairs portfolio, which includes the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), the Australian War Memorial and the Office of Australian War Graves, is part of the Defence portfolio. In 2009–10, the total appropriation for the Veterans’ Affairs portfolio was $11.8 billion.

DVA, on behalf of the Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, administers the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. Under these Acts and other legislation, the department is responsible for carrying out government policy and implementing programs to fulfil Australia’s obligations to veterans and war widows, serving and former members of the Australian Defence Force, certain Australian Federal Police with overseas service and their dependants.

The ANAO’s audit strategy takes into consideration DVA’s approach to engaging with the younger veteran community to ensure services are accessible, effective and appropriate to meet their changing needs.

Potential audits

Mental Health and Related Services Delivered to Younger Veterans

In delivering the Australian Government’s programs in the past two financial years, DVA has focused on responding to the changing needs of the ex-service community. DVA initiated a survey of younger veterans in 2007–08 that found 55 per cent of respondents were satisfied and 26 per cent dissatisfied with DVA’s services. This compares with the general veterans’ satisfaction survey which found 92 per cent of respondents satisfied and three per cent dissatisfied with DVA’s services.

An audit would assess DVA’s service delivery and support to the younger veterans in regard to mental health and related care services.

Management of Arrangements with State and Territory Governments for the Purchase of Hospital Services for Veterans

The veteran population is ageing and use of hospital services by those aged 80 years and over is increasing. DVA is one of the largest purchasers of public hospital services.

Under Section 89 of the Veterans’ Entitlement Act 1986 DVA is able to enter into arrangements for the provision of hospital treatment to veterans and other eligible persons. The Department has arrangements in place with all public hospitals and contracted arrangements with most private hospitals across Australia. The choice of hospital accessed is a combination of veteran preference and whether the treating doctor or specialist has visiting rights at the particular hospital.

An audit would examine DVA’s management of the purchase of hospital services from state and territory governments, including the effectiveness of DVA’s systems and strategies to collect data on veterans’ access to hospitals, and on the quality of hospital outcomes.

 

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