Retrospective Medical Discharge Assessments for ADF Veterans

If you left the ADF without a medical discharge, but your mental health was affecting your ability to work at the time, you may be eligible for a retrospective assessment to support your claim with Commonwealth Super.

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What Is a Retrospective Assessment?

A retrospective medical discharge assessment reviews whether your mental health, functioning, and capacity for employment at the time of your separation may have supported a medical discharge.

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Who This Applies To

This may be relevant if you now recognise that your mental health significantly limited your ability to work when you left the ADF — even if you separated voluntarily or administratively. This often means your lifetime income opportunity has been impacted.

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Funding and Process

There is currently no government funding for retrospective medical discharge assessments, so this service is billed directly to you.  

We will always be upfront with you about whether you have sufficient evidence to consider a retrospective medical assessment before proceeding. If the information you provide does not appear to support a reasonable basis for assessment, we will tell you. If there is enough evidence to proceed, we will explain the process and the possible outcomes clearly before you make a decision.

The cost is a one-off payment of $2,000 including GST, payable at the end of the assessment process once the assessment letter has been completed.

We cannot guarantee the outcome of any application to the Commonwealth Super Corporation (CSC). However, we will only recommend proceeding with an assessment with us where the available information supports a reasonable basis for assessment.

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Step-by-Step:

• We first ask for a summary of any supporting information you have, such as service records, separation documents, medical or psychological reports, DVA or CSC documents, employment history, and evidence of functional impact after discharge.

• If there is strong supporting evidence, we will proceed with the assessment and provide an expert medical opinion on whether your mental health conditions were likely present at discharge.

• You will then attend an appointment to discuss your symptoms, functioning, and employability at the time you left the ADF.

• Afterward, we prepare the assessment letter for you to submit to CSC.

Cost: $2,000 including GST, payable once the assessment letter has been completed.

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How to Get Started

You are welcome to contact us first for an initial review of your situation. This is simply to understand whether there may be a reasonable basis to proceed - it does not commit you to an assessment or any payment.

Email us at veteranservices@zed3.com.au or call (02) 6109 8830.

For more information on retrospective discharge pathways, visit CSC’s website or speak with your advocate.

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