PROJECT 3
Lowering the Eligibility Age for Veteran Gold Card Access
As it currently stands, Australian veterans with qualifying service are entitled to a Gold Card when they reach the age of 70. Under the Veterans Entitlement Act 1986 (Cth), a Gold Card covers veterans for clinically required medical treatment in Australia for all medical conditions and includes treatment provided by general practitioners, specialists, and dentists.
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Data provided in the 2021 Census revealed that 54% of Australian veterans said that they have a long-term health condition, compared to 34% of the general population. Such a figure reflects both the physical and mental challenges faced by veterans and the array of hazardous environments in which they operate.
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It is through this lens that the Homefront Initiative seeks to amend the Veterans Entitlement Act 1986 (Cth) to allow eligible veterans to access a Veteran Gold Card at age 65. Such an amendment will allow veterans to access a greater range of healthcare services earlier and more efficiently, thereby increasing the likelihood of detecting and preventing health-related issues linked to Defence Force service.
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