CSC claims lawyers for current and former ADF members

What CSC claims involve

The Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation administers several military superannuation arrangements. The rules and benefits differ between MilitarySuper, also known as MSBS, DFRDB and ADF Cover. Which arrangement applies depends on your membership and circumstances.

CSC invalidity benefits concern the effect of relevant medical conditions on your capacity for civilian employment suited to your skills, qualifications and experience. Being unable to continue serving in the ADF does not, by itself, establish a particular invalidity classification. CSC assesses your incapacity for relevant civilian employment, rather than simply your fitness for military service.

A condition does not necessarily have to have been caused by service, although the eligibility rules and exclusions under the applicable scheme still apply.

ADF Super is an accumulation superannuation fund. ADF Cover is a separate arrangement providing death and invalidity benefits for eligible ADF members, including eligible members who have chosen a super fund other than ADF Super. Benefits payable under ADF Cover are separate from your superannuation account balance.

How our military superannuation lawyers can help

We can help with an initial invalidity matter, a decision you disagree with, or the question of whether grounds for medical discharge existed when you left the ADF. These involve different processes, so we first identify the decision or entitlement that needs attention.

For an existing decision, we look at the classification, the occupations considered and the medical evidence used. For a possible retrospective invalidity application, we look at your health and the relevant circumstances at the time you left service. A later diagnosis may be relevant, but it does not automatically establish an entitlement from an earlier date.

Where an entitlement changes, the effective date and any adjustment to payments need to be calculated under the relevant rules. Any arrears payable may be affected by offsets or benefits you have already received.

CSC invalidity classifications and review

Class A means assessed incapacity for relevant civilian employment of 60% or more. Class B means at least 30% but less than 60%. Class C means less than 30%. These percentages concern your assessed incapacity for civilian employment suited to your skills, qualifications and experience, not a DVA impairment score.

Class A and Class B provide invalidity pension benefits for eligible members. The amount and review rules depend on the scheme. Class C does not provide an invalidity pension; any other superannuation entitlement needs to be considered separately.

What to bring to a first conversation

A CSC statement, your discharge documents, any decision letter and relevant medical reports are useful. Tell us about your service roles, qualifications and work since discharge. If you cannot find something, start with what you have.

We explain the possible next steps, the records needed and the costs before you decide whether to engage us. We then help prepare the matter and deal with the relevant organisation where we act for you.

Common questions

What can CSC claims lawyers help with?

Our CSC claims lawyers help current and former ADF members with military superannuation matters, including invalidity benefits, medical transition, retrospective invalidity and classification decisions. We identify your scheme and the issue requiring attention before explaining the relevant process and evidence. You can deal directly with CSC without engaging a lawyer; our role is to provide independent legal advice and representation where you choose to engage us.

Can you help with CSC invalidity claims?

Yes. We assist with CSC invalidity claims involving MilitarySuper, DFRDB and ADF Cover. These arrangements have different rules and benefits. We first identify your scheme, the circumstances in which you left or are leaving the ADF and any decision already made. We can then assess the relevant medical evidence, civilian employment considerations and available pathway.

Can KSC Law review an invalidity classification?

Yes. We can assess whether a CSC invalidity classification review, reconsideration of the original decision or another pathway is relevant. Reconsideration challenges a decision you disagree with; a later classification review addresses changes under the scheme rules. A reconsideration should be requested within 30 days of receiving the classification determination. Send us your Decision Notice promptly so the applicable requirements and time limits can be checked. In the event this time period has passed, reach out to KSC Law to discuss your options.

Can you help with an MSBS invalidity pension or retrospective discharge?

Yes. We can advise on an MSBS invalidity pension and retrospective invalidity claims. If you left the ADF without a medical transition, the question is whether medical grounds existed at that time and, if so, your assessed incapacity for relevant civilian employment. A later diagnosis may help explain your earlier condition but does not automatically establish entitlement.

What documents do I need for a military superannuation claim?

For military superannuation claims, useful starting documents include your CSC statement, service and transition records, Decision Notice and relevant medical reports. Your skills, qualifications, employment history and work after leaving the ADF may also be relevant to civilian employment capacity. Start with what you have; we can explain which further records matter for the issue being considered.

How do fixed fees and no win, no fee work for CSC claims?

Most KSC Law matters are offered on a no win, no fee basis. If you are comparing fixed-fee CSC claims or no win, no fee CSC claims, the arrangement depends on the work required for your matter. KSC Law may offer fixed fees for particular stages, a no win no fee arrangement, or a combination of both. Where no win no fee applies, there are generally no professional legal fees to pay upfront. We explain the proposed professional fees, foreseeable expenses and payment arrangements before work begins. The full terms are set out in your written costs agreement.

Read about fixed fees and no win no fee arrangements, then discuss the costs applying to your matter with our team.

Speak with KSC Law

Book a free consultation with our CSC claims lawyers to discuss your military superannuation matter.

Related reading: CSC invalidity classification and review · Applying for a CSC pension after military service · CSC DVA and TPD claims explained for veterans · How the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme works