Veterans’ Affairs is technically part of the Defence Portfolio, but has been reported separately given the presence of a department of state, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). Aside from DVA, there is only one other substantive body in the portfolio – the Australian War Memorial.
Total funding for DVA and the Australian War Memorial is $12.5 billion, comprising mostly administered funding ($12.1 billion). There are around 1,900 staff in DVA and 300 staff in the Australian War Memorial.
There are 24 pieces of legislation administered by the Minister.
|
Funding ($'000) |
Staffing |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Entity |
Departmental |
Administered |
Total |
ASL |
|
Department of Veterans’ Affairs |
322,945 |
12,108,112 |
12,431,057 |
1,924 |
|
Australian War Memorial |
83,915 |
- |
83,915 |
339 |
|
DEPARTMENT (1) |
406,860 |
12,108,112 |
12,514,972 |
2,263 |
Source: Department of Finance. 2013‑14 Budget updated for machinery of government changes.
(1) As individual entity resourcing includes inter-agency transfers and payments, total resourcing for the portfolio may be overstated by this amount.
The vast majority of administered funding relates to payments of pension and other income support under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986. A substantial portion also relates to health care and support services to veterans.
DVA administers arrangements for compensation and rehabilitation relating to injuries occurring before 2004. It also provides assistance for veterans to purchase a home (subsidised loan) and administer a home insurance scheme.
Other small entities in the portfolio receive their funding under agreements with DVA and their staff are part of the Department. These entities include the:
- Repatriation Commission;
- Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission;
- Veterans’ Review Board;
- Veterans’ Children Education Boards;
- Office of Australian War Graves;
- Repatriation Medical Authority; and
- Specialist Medical Review Council.