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Partner Service Pension extension

Responsible government

  • Commonwealth

Fourth Action Plan actions

  • Respect, listen and respond to the diverse lived experience and knowledge of women and their children affected by violence
    • 11 Deliver policies and services to address the disproportionate impact of violence on particular groups.

What are we doing?

This initiative removed the inequity between married and de facto partners by extending the Partner Service Pension for 12 months post-separation to all former partners of veterans.

Additionally, this measure allows former partners of veterans to remain on Partner Service Pension after the 12-month period where family and domestic violence applies, until they enter into a new relationship.

  • The Commonwealth Government will provide $4.9 million between 2019–20 and 2021–22 to fund the extension of the Partner Service Pension.

What have we achieved so far?

  • This measure commenced on 20 September 2019 and is now in full effect.

What is next?

  • The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is conducting a post-implementation review including developing case studies on the people who benefited as a result of this change.
  • The review will inform future policy changes to further support veteran families who are affected by family and domestic violence.

What difference will we make?

  • Former partners of veterans will continue to be supported by DVA, where they have experienced family and domestic violence, to ensure they have the financial safety net provided by the Partner Service Pension. This means they do not need to apply for financial support from Services Australia at a difficult time.

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