# Veterans' Review Board
The **Veterans' Review Board** (VRB) is an Australian specialist tribunal, independent of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), that conducts merit reviews of decisions about veterans' compensation entitlements. A merit review means the Board takes a fresh look at the facts, the law and relevant policy to make its own decision, rather than simply checking whether the original decision-maker made an error.[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | By the Repatriation Legislation Amendment Act 1984; began operating on 1 January 1985[2](https://www.dva.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/veterans-affairs-portfolio) |
| Governing law | The Veterans Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) establishes the VRB and governs its operations[3](https://www.vrb.gov.au/about-us) |
| Reviewable decisions | Compensation decisions under the VEA, the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 for decisions made from 21 April 2025[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb) |
| Application | Free of charge; must be lodged within 12 months of receiving the decision[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb) |
| Panels | Usually three members: a Services Member, a Senior Member and a Member[4](https://www.vrb.gov.au/general-practice-direction) |
| Caseload | Around 3,000 cases finalized a year across Australia[3](https://www.vrb.gov.au/about-us) |
| Further appeal | To the Administrative Review Tribunal[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb) |
## Role and statutory basis
The Board was established by the Repatriation Legislation Amendment Act 1984 and began operating on 1 January 1985.[2](https://www.dva.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/veterans-affairs-portfolio) The law that establishes the VRB and governs its operations is the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986.[3](https://www.vrb.gov.au/about-us) External appeal rights for veterans over entitlement and war pension decisions extend back over 100 years, and the VRB has existed in its current form since 1985.[3](https://www.vrb.gov.au/about-us)
It reviews decisions of the Repatriation Commission and decisions under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, and it is independent from DVA.[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb) • [2](https://www.dva.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/veterans-affairs-portfolio)
## Jurisdiction and reviewable decisions
The Board reviews compensation decisions under three statutes: the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA), the last for decisions made from 21 April 2025.[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb) The cases fall into two broad types: *entitlement cases*, where a claim for a pension other than a service pension was decided, and *assessment cases*, where the rate of pension payable for an accepted incapacity was assessed.[2](https://www.dva.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/veterans-affairs-portfolio)
Service Pension decisions are outside the Board's jurisdiction: they are not reviewed by the VRB but are reviewed internally by a Department Review Officer in the first instance.[5](https://lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch32s02s02.php)
## How an application works
A veteran may request review within 12 months of receiving the decision, setting out reasons in writing. Applications can be lodged directly with the VRB online, by email to reviews@vrb.gov.au, or by post to GPO Box 1631, Sydney NSW 2001.[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb) Getting a review is free; some medical document and travel costs may be reimbursed, but not the costs of legal advice or representation.[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb)
The VEA sets the Board's objective as a mechanism of review that is accessible, fair, just, economical, informal, and quick.[4](https://www.vrb.gov.au/general-practice-direction) The standard listing pathway reflects that aim:
1. A first dispute resolution event (outreach).
2. If needed and where suitable, a further alternative dispute resolution stage may then follow, taking the form of a renewed outreach, a conference, a case appraisal, or a neutral evaluation.
3. A final hearing, if required.[4](https://www.vrb.gov.au/general-practice-direction)
An outreach is a private, confidential session with a Conference Registrar or Member to explain the process and identify the issues; conferences involve both parties and may produce an agreed document. Case Appraisal or Neutral Evaluation gives a non-binding written opinion on the prospects of a case from a Member with specialist knowledge. Fast Track Hearings may be used to avoid undue delay, but only with the applicant's consent.[4](https://www.vrb.gov.au/general-practice-direction)
**Hearings.** A VRB hearing usually lasts under an hour, and in that time applicants can recount their experiences and put forward submissions to the panel. Hearings are held in private, a Commission representative does not generally attend, and witnesses usually appear by phone or online.[4](https://www.vrb.gov.au/general-practice-direction)
**Representation.** People with legal qualifications cannot represent applicants at a VRB hearing, although they can help prepare the case and gather evidence. Applicants may bring a friend, family member, advocate or ex-service organization (ESO) representative.[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb) This restriction is a point on which sources differ: the South Australian Law Handbook states that applicants may be legally represented during VRB proceedings, although this is not required.[5](https://lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch32s02s02.php)
## Composition and members
Most reviews are conducted by a panel of three Members: a Senior Member, a Services Member and a Member.[4](https://www.vrb.gov.au/general-practice-direction) • [5](https://lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch32s02s02.php) Where possible the panel decides on the day of the hearing. VRB decisions and reasons are not published or made public; they are provided only to the applicant, the representative and the Commission.[4](https://www.vrb.gov.au/general-practice-direction)
## Appeals and further review
An applicant who is not satisfied with the VRB's decision may appeal to the [Administrative Review Tribunal](https://www.edgepedia.org/administrative-review-tribunal).[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb) The VRB's own review is a full merits review, taking a fresh look at the facts, the law and relevant policy to make its own decision.[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb)
## By the numbers
The Board finalizes around 3,000 cases a year across Australia.[3](https://www.vrb.gov.au/about-us)
## Recent changes
The Board's jurisdiction covers decisions under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 for decisions made from 21 April 2025, adding a third statute to the VEA and the MRCA.[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb) Appeals from the VRB lie to the Administrative Review Tribunal.[1](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb)
## References
1. [About the Veterans' Review Board (VRB), Department of Veterans' Affairs](https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/lodge-an-appeal/about-the-veterans-review-board-vrb)
2. [Veterans' Affairs portfolio, Department of Veterans' Affairs](https://www.dva.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/veterans-affairs-portfolio)
3. [About us, Veterans' Review Board](https://www.vrb.gov.au/about-us)
4. [General Practice Direction, Veterans' Review Board](https://www.vrb.gov.au/general-practice-direction)
5. [Review by the Veterans' Review Board, Law Handbook (South Australia)](https://lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch32s02s02.php)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Law and justice › Courts and legal practice › Courts and justice institutions › Tribunals and magistracy › Administrative and specialist tribunals › Australian tribunals › Veterans' Review Board (Australia)*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license