If you are a serving member nearing your discharge date, your mind is likely full of out-processing tasks, moving plans, and what comes next. Amidst the chaos, there is one mission that is more critical to your future than any other. That is getting your DVA affairs in order before you hang up the uniform.
This checklist outlines the essential steps to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
Why you must act before you Discharge
While you are serving, Defence is responsible for your healthcare. The moment you become a civilian, that responsibility stops. DVA is meant to take over, but the system can be slow.
If you wait until after you have discharged to lodge your first claims, you risk creating a dangerous gap in support. This can leave you and your family without medical or financial cover for months while your claim is being processed. Acting early closes this gap.
Your Pre-Discharge mission checklist
Treat this like any other critical mission. It requires planning and meticulous execution.
- 1. Obtain Your Complete Records.This is non-negotiable. You must get a full copy of both your service medical records and your personnel records. It is significantly harder to access these documents once you are a civilian.
- 2. Get a Final Medical Check-up.Before you leave, see your ADF doctor one last time. Get every single ache, pain, and health concern documented, no matter how minor it seems. This creates a vital final record of your health status while in service.
- 3. Identify Every Potential Condition.Now is the time to be completely honest with yourself. Make a list of every single issue that has arisen during your service. This includes the bad back, the dodgy knee, the ringing in your ears, and any stress or mental health challenges.
- 4. Lodge Your DVA Claims Now.This is the most crucial step. You do not have to wait until you are a civilian. You should submit your DVA claims for liability for all of your identified conditions while you are still serving.
Your transition to civilian life is not the time to be a stoic soldier. It is the time to be a meticulous administrator for your own health and your family’s future.
The goal is a "Decision-Ready" claim
The aim of this checklist is to prepare what is known as a "decision-ready" claim. This means you are not just submitting a form. You are submitting a comprehensive package with all the foundational evidence DVA needs to start work immediately, minimising delays.
Setting ourself Up For Success
The hard work you do in your final months of service will pay dividends for the rest of your life. It provides a crucial safety net and ensures a seamless transition of support for you and your family. This is a complex process to manage on top of everything else involved in discharging. Getting expert help can ensure nothing is missed.
Your transition is a major life event. Let us help you put a solid plan in place so you can move forward with the security and peace of mind you have rightfully earned.
