The Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission (DVSC) has released its first inquiry report, finding that further work is needed to make it easier for serving members, veterans and families to access personal information held by the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
The inquiry examined whether government action had improved access to personal information following urgent recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
What did the Commission find?
The Royal Commission made five interim recommendations specifically directed at improving access to information. Although Defence and DVA had previously reported those recommendations as implemented, the DVSC found that only two were fully implemented and three were partially implemented.
The Commission acknowledged several positive changes. Defence and DVA have established dedicated Information Access Units, and administrative release is now intended to be the primary way for members, veterans and families to obtain their information without having to rely on a formal legal process.
However, the DVSC found that people still need clearer, publicly available information explaining how to navigate the process. It also identified a need for ADF members to have more opportunities to provide or update consent for information to be released.
Why access to records matters
Service, personnel and medical records can be important when a current or former ADF member is preparing a DVA claim, responding to a request for evidence or seeking review of an unfavourable decision.
Records may help establish what occurred during service, when symptoms or injuries were first recorded, the treatment provided and how a condition affected a member’s duties. Delays or gaps in access can make an already difficult claims or review process more stressful.
The issue can also extend beyond DVA compensation. Relevant records may be important in CSC invalidity claims, matters involving historical ADF abuse, discharge issues and other legal processes.
What has the DVSC recommended?
The Commission made one recommendation requiring both Defence and DVA to establish frameworks for assessing whether implemented reforms are actually effective. Those frameworks should incorporate relevant data and feedback from serving members, veterans and families.
It also recommended an immediate review of the measures introduced to date, with ineffective areas to be addressed.
The Government is required to table a response to the report within 15 parliamentary sitting days or three months from 27 October 2026, whichever is later.
What can veterans do when requesting records?
Veterans seeking records may wish to:
- identify whether Defence, DVA or another agency is likely to hold the information;
- describe the records and relevant date range as precisely as possible;
- keep copies of each request, acknowledgement and response;
- check whether the documents supplied appear complete; and
- ask which administrative, privacy or freedom-of-information process is available if records are missing.
If information is required for an active claim or appeal, it may also be important to keep the decision-maker informed about outstanding record requests and applicable response deadlines.
Getting help with a DVA or veteran claim
KSC Law assists current and former ADF members with DVA claims, reviews, CSC matters and other service-related legal issues. If missing records are affecting your matter, you can contact KSC Law to discuss your circumstances.
Original source: Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission, First Report Released – Access to Information Inquiry, 27 October 2026. The Australian Government response was published the same day.
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. The appropriate process depends on the circumstances of each matter.