DVA claim wait times in 2026
DVA claims are taking close to a year on average for an initial liability decision. Here are DVA's latest published figures and what you can do while you wait.
Rates and rules checked October 2026
The latest figures
DVA publishes processing data monthly. In the 12 months to 31 July 2026:
| MRCA claim type | Average days | Median days |
|---|---|---|
| Initial liability | 327 | 294 |
| Permanent impairment | 254 | 218 |
Claims that were both lodged and decided within that same 12 months averaged 145 days. The longer headline figures reflect older claims coming off the backlog.
The backlog
At 30 June 2026 DVA had 103,074 compensation claims on hand, of which 32,925 hadn't yet been given to a case officer. That's up 24.7% from 82,645 a year earlier. At 31 July 2026 there were 25,300 MRCA initial liability claims and 16,129 permanent impairment claims waiting.
DVA is also deciding more than ever: 238,389 conditions in 2025–26, up from 199,975 the year before.
Over the full 2025–26 year
| Claim type | Average days |
|---|---|
| MRCA initial liability | 364 |
| MRCA permanent impairment | 245 |
| DRCA initial liability | 531 |
| VEA | 568 |
What you can do while you wait
- Make sure DVA has a clear diagnosis for every condition. Missing evidence is one of the most common reasons claims stall.
- Check whether your condition is now accepted on diagnosis. If it is, say so in your claim.
- Use your White Card for mental health treatment. If you lodged before 30 June 2026, Provisional Access to Medical Treatment may cover some other conditions until 31 December 2026.
- Keep copies of everything you send and note who you spoke to and when.
Common questions
How long does a DVA claim take in 2026?
Why is my DVA claim taking so long?
Sources
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