When a veteran passes away, the impact on their family can be significant, both emotionally and financially.
For eligible dependent children, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provides a range of financial, healthcare and education support.
One of these benefits is the DVA Orphan’s Pension.
If you’d like to watch this weeks video about the Orphan’s Pension, please click here.
The Orphan’s Pension is designed to provide financial support to eligible dependent children of veterans who have passed away as a result of eligible war or Defence service, as well as in certain other circumstances.
However, understanding whether a child is eligible can be complicated, particularly following changes to veterans’ legislation that came into effect on 1 July 2026.
Here’s what families and veterans need to know.
What is the DVA Orphan’s Pension?
The DVA Orphan’s Pension provides financial support to eligible dependent children of deceased veterans whose death is related to their eligible Defence service.
Under the current arrangements, new claims for dependant compensation are generally assessed under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA). Depending on the circumstances, eligible children may receive financial compensation, a DVA Veteran Card, All Conditions (Gold Card) and education assistance.
Eligibility depends on a range of factors, including the veteran’s service history, the circumstances surrounding their death and the child’s age and dependency.
The changes introduced from 1 July 2026 have also changed how benefits for children of deceased veterans are assessed. This means it is important to understand which benefits may apply to your family and whether a claim needs to be made.
Who can receive the DVA Orphan’s Pension?
Under the VEA, an eligible dependent child may qualify if they are:
- Under 16 years of age; or
- Under 25 and undertaking full-time study.
There are also circumstances where an Orphan’s Pension may not be payable to a child aged 16 or over if they are receiving certain Australian Government education payments or assistance.
The veteran’s circumstances are also important when determining eligibility.
For example, automatic granting can apply where the veteran was an ex-prisoner of war or was receiving certain higher levels of disability compensation before their death, including:
- Special Rate Disability Compensation Payment, commonly known as TPI
- Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA)
- Intermediate Rate
- Temporary Special Rate
- Certain Additional Disability Compensation Payments.
Where a pension is not automatically granted, eligibility and the appropriate dependant benefits need to be considered under the current DVA arrangements.
What is the difference between a Single Orphan and Double Orphan Pension?
There are two rates of Orphan’s Pension:
Single Orphan Pension
A Single Orphan Pension applies where one parent has passed away and the child meets the relevant eligibility requirements.
Double Orphan Pension
A Double Orphan Pension may apply where both parents have passed away, subject to the relevant eligibility requirements.
Can the DVA Orphan’s Pension be granted automatically?
In some circumstances, yes.
DVA can automatically grant an Orphan’s Pension without requiring a separate claim where the veteran was receiving certain payments or met particular circumstances before their death.
This can include veterans who were:
- Former prisoners of war
- Receiving the Extreme Disablement Adjustment
- Receiving the Special Rate of Disability Compensation Payment (TPI)
- Receiving the Intermediate Rate
- Receiving the Temporary Special Rate
- Receiving certain Additional Disability Compensation Payments.
The automatic granting arrangements continue under the changes introduced from 1 July 2026.
In other circumstances, families may need to apply for the relevant dependant benefits through DVA.
This is one reason it can be important to understand what benefits may be available following the death of a veteran rather than assuming that support will be provided automatically.
Is the DVA Orphan’s Pension income or asset tested?
The Orphan’s Pension is not subject to the usual income and assets tests that apply to some other government payments.
It is also tax exempt.
However, other payments or education assistance received by an eligible child can have their own eligibility and interaction rules.
This is particularly important for older children who are studying.
Do children receiving an Orphan’s Pension get a DVA Gold Card?
Eligible recipients of an Orphan’s Pension are issued with a Veteran Card, All Conditions, commonly known as a DVA Gold Card.
The Gold Card provides access to a broad range of healthcare services for all conditions, with treatment provided at DVA’s expense.
It is important to understand that the Gold Card is a separate benefit from the pension itself, although eligibility for the card can arise from the child’s status as an eligible dependant.
Under the new arrangements introduced from 1 July 2026, eligible young people who are dependants of deceased veterans may also qualify for a Gold Card under the MRCA, subject to the relevant eligibility requirements.
What education assistance is available to children of veterans?
Financial support doesn’t necessarily stop at the pension.
DVA also provides education assistance to eligible children of veterans.
Before 1 July 2026, eligible children could receive support through either the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES) or the MRCA Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS), depending on their circumstances.
From 1 July 2026, these schemes were combined, with VCES eligibility incorporated into the MRCA Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS). Children who were already receiving VCES support were automatically transferred to MRCAETS.
The MRCAETS can provide financial assistance and student support services to eligible children undertaking education or training.
Eligibility can depend on factors such as the veteran’s service history, disability status, whether the veteran has passed away and the child’s age and study circumstances.
For some children of deceased veterans, support may continue while they undertake full-time education, including certain apprenticeships, traineeships or cadetships.
What changed for children of veterans from 1 July 2026?
The Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025 introduced significant changes to the way veterans and their families access compensation and support.
From 1 July 2026, new claims for compensation, including claims relating to the death of a veteran, are generally considered under the MRCA.
For eligible dependent children, MRCA benefits may include:
- An age-adjusted lump sum payment
- A DVA Gold Card
- Access to education assistance through MRCAETS
- Other dependant compensation, depending on the circumstances.
Existing VEA Orphan’s Pensions that were granted before 1 July 2026 continue under the grandfathering arrangements.
This means that the support available to a child can depend on when the veteran died, the legislation that applies, the veteran’s service history and the child’s circumstances.
Understanding your family’s DVA entitlements
The death of a veteran can create significant financial uncertainty for a family.
While the Orphan’s Pension can provide valuable support, it is only one part of the broader range of benefits that may be available to eligible children and other dependants.
Depending on the circumstances, support may include:
- DVA dependant compensation
- An age-adjusted lump sum
- A DVA Gold Card
- MRCAETS education assistance
- Other financial support for eligible dependants.
With the changes that came into effect on 1 July 2026, understanding which legislation applies and what benefits may be available has become even more important.
At Apex Financial Services Group, we specialise in helping veterans and their families understand their DVA entitlements and how these benefits can fit into their broader financial circumstances.
If you are unsure what support may be available to your children following the death of a veteran, professional advice can help you understand your options and the next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions About the DVA Orphan’s Pension
What is the DVA Orphan’s Pension?
The DVA Orphan’s Pension is a payment under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 that can provide financial support to eligible dependent children of deceased veterans.
Who is eligible for the DVA Orphan’s Pension?
Under the VEA, eligibility generally applies to dependent children under 16, or children under 25 who are undertaking full-time study, subject to the relevant requirements.
Since 1 July 2026, new dependant compensation claims are generally assessed under the MRCA rather than the VEA.
Is the Orphan’s Pension taxable?
No. The DVA Orphan’s Pension is tax exempt.
Is the DVA Orphan’s Pension income tested?
The Orphan’s Pension is not affected by ordinary income, although other compensation payments may affect the amount payable.
Does a child receiving an Orphan’s Pension get a Gold Card?
Eligible Orphan’s Pension recipients are issued with a Veteran Card – All Conditions, commonly known as a DVA Gold Card. The card provides access to a range of healthcare services for all conditions.
Can an Orphan’s Pension be paid automatically?
Yes. In certain circumstances, DVA can automatically grant the pension. This can include where the deceased veteran was a former prisoner of war or was receiving certain higher rates of disability compensation at the time of their death.
What happens to the Orphan’s Pension after a child turns 16?
Eligibility can continue beyond age 16 where the child meets the relevant requirements, including being under 25 and undertaking full-time study. However, certain government education payments can affect eligibility for the VEA Orphan’s Pension.
What education assistance is available to children of veterans?
From 1 July 2026, the MRCA Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS) is the single DVA education scheme for eligible children. It incorporates the former VCES eligibility arrangements.
Can children of veterans receive other DVA benefits?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, eligible children may receive benefits such as dependant compensation, a Gold Card and education assistance through MRCAETS.
Do I need to make a claim with DVA?
It depends on the circumstances. Some benefits may be granted automatically, while other benefits require a claim to be lodged with DVA. Since 1 July 2026, new dependant compensation claims are generally assessed under the MRCA.
Need Help Understanding Your DVA Entitlements?
DVA benefits for children and other dependants can be complex, particularly following the legislative changes introduced in 2026.
If you are a veteran or family member and want to better understand your DVA entitlements, dependant benefits, education assistance or broader financial position, the team at Apex Financial Services Group can help you understand how these areas may fit into your overall financial strategy.