Australian Government

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986

Veterans’ Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme Amendment Instrument 2016

Instrument 2016 No. R5

1        Name

 This instrument is the Veterans’ Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme Amendment Instrument 2016.

2        Commencement

This instrument commences on 20 March 2016.

3        Authority

 This instrument is made under subsection 115B(2) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.

4        Schedule

 The instrument specified in the Schedule to this instrument is varied as set out in the items in the Schedule.

Schedule

Veterans’ Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (Instrument 2015 No. R11)

1. Paragraph 1.3.1 (Definitions)

  insert:

“medical management service” means a service that is an adjunct to medical treatment and is designed to monitor a person’s medical treatment with the aim of restoring or maximising the person’s physical or psychological function;

 Note:  Examples of medical management services include, but are not limited to, coordination of medical providers to establish a treatment program, and intensive case management to facilitate regular attendance at medical appointments. 

“psychosocial service” means a rehabilitative, skill-building or recovery-oriented service that aims to restore a person to his or her optimal level of independent functioning within the community;

 Note:  Examples of psychosocial services include, but are not limited to, community inclusion activities, pain management, adjustment to disability counselling, family education, and drug and alcohol management.

2 Paragraph 1.3.3  (Content of an approved program)

 after (n), insert:

(o)  the provision of medical management services;

(p)  the provision of psychosocial services;

3 Paragraph 1.3.5  (Chapter 2 vocational rehabilitation program)

 paragraph (b), the words “subsection 37(2A)” substitute:

section 37AAA

4 Paragraph 1.3.6  (Chapter 3 rehabilitation program)

 paragraph (b), the words “subsection 37(2A)” substitute:

section 37AAA

5  Paragraph 1.5.1  (A rehabilitation plan must first be prepared and approved)

 paragraph (a), the words “for the veteran,” substitute:

in consultation with the veteran,

6 Paragraph 2.2.4 (Labour market)

 after the paragraph, insert:

Medical management and psychosocial services

2.2.5  The Commission may approve the inclusion of medical management services or psychosocial services in a vocational rehabilitation program for a veteran if the Commission is satisfied that the services are reasonably required to:  

(a)  assist the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment; or

(b)  address an identified rehabilitation barrier as part of the process of assisting the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment.

7 Paragraph 3.2.2 (Criteria for participation in the Scheme)

 after the paragraph, insert:

Medical management and psychosocial services

3.2.2A  The Commission may approve the inclusion of medical management services or psychosocial services in a rehabilitation program for a veteran if the Commission is satisfied that the services are reasonably required to:

(a)  assist the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment; or

(b)  address an identified rehabilitation barrier as part of the process of assisting the veteran to achieve or retain suitable paid employment.

8 Paragraph 3.2.1 (Approval of a rehabilitation program)

 paragraph 3.2.1(e), the word “veterans’ ”, substitute:

 veteran’s

9 Paragraph 3.2.4 (Failure to comply with an approved plan or approved program)

 paragraph 3.2.4(a), the words “approved plan or vocational rehabilitation program”, substitute:

 approved rehabilitation program

10 Paragraph 4.2.1 (Grant may be made in special circumstances)

 the words “rehabilitation services or other assistance”, substitute:

rehabilitation services, medical management services, psychosocial services or other assistance