Living in Australia

Check if you are eligible for support

The easiest way to check if you or your family and whānau are eligible is to use our "Check your eligibility" tool. It only takes a few minutes. 

Check your eligibility

What kind of support you may be entitled to

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a range of support options. 

This includes:

• treatment and rehabilitation
• services — including those under the Veterans’ Independence Programme 
• financial entitlements — both one-off and regular payments.

You’ll still need to meet the normal eligibility criteria for each support, service, or entitlement.

List of support options available

We work with DVA to support veterans in Australia

To help you get the best support possible in Australia, we may refer you to DVA. This may involve assigning you a DVA case manager in Australia. 

If you have a service-related condition, DVA might issue you a White Card. It's the equivalent of the New Zealand Treatment Card. 

Use your White Card when you get a medical treatment for a service-related condition. It will ensure that we're billed for the cost through DVA, and you don't need to pay upfront. 

Extra support from the Australian Government

You may also be entitled to extra support from DVA in Australia. It's best to talk to them directly about this. 

Depending on which state or territory you live in, your White Card might also give you access to discounts at businesses and community organisations.

Contact DVA

You can contact DVA if you would like to talk to them directly.

DVA contact web page(external link)(external link)

Some payments cannot be made to people living outside of New Zealand 

The Veterans' Support Act does not allow us to make some payments to veterans and their families living outside of NZ. 

This means if you don’t live in NZ, you cannot get:

• Travel Concession
• Veteran’s Pension
• Veteran’s Pension Lump Sum on Death.

A local equivalent of the Veteran’s Pension may be able to be paid depending on where you live. More information is available from Work and Income.

Information on getting NZ Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension outside of NZ(external link)(external link)

Differences to payments and tax

We can pay entitlements into either a NZ or local bank account.

Your payments may be taxed depending on your location. This will depend on the country you live in. 

Payment you receive from us may also be treated as income. This could affect you if you’re receiving support from another country that is income tested.

We recommend you discuss your situation with the local authorities.

If you return to New Zealand

If you receive support from us, you have an obligation to keep us updated with certain information. You need to let us know if you travel overseas, as well as other important changes.

What you need to tell us when things in your life change

If you return for a visit

If you're returning to New Zealand for a visit, let us know. We'll make sure you're able to access support while you're in New Zealand. 

If you return to retire

If you're planning on returning to New Zealand to retire, it's important you understand your eligibility to government support. 

The Veteran's Pension is an alternative payment to New Zealand Superannuation for veterans with Qualifying Operational Service in New Zealand's Armed Forces. The Veteran's Pension is managed by Work and Income.

Read more about support options for when you retire in New Zealand(external link)(external link)

How to get started

The first step is to register with us.

If you're not registered with us

If you served in New Zealand's Armed Forces and you're not registered with Veterans' Affairs, check your eligibility with our online tool.

Check your eligibility

If you're eligible, get in touch with us and register. We'll take it from there. 

If you've already registered with us

Get in touch and let us know where you are. Depending on your needs, we'll figure out the best way to work with you.