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Permanent impairment payments

The main compensation payment for lasting impairment. Here's how much it pays and how the weekly-or-lump-sum choice works.

Rates and rules checked October 2026

What it is

Permanent impairment compensation is paid for lasting impairment from your accepted conditions. It isn't income replacement, so working doesn't reduce it. It's assessed once your conditions have stabilised.

How much

The maximum is $447.39 a week from 1 July 2026, indexed every 1 July, paid at 80 or more impairment points. Below that you get a fraction of the maximum from DVA's compensation tables, based on your points, lifestyle rating and type of service. A separate PI Energy Supplement of $3.80 a week is also paid.

For example, 20 points from warlike service with a lifestyle rating of 2 pays $99.32 a week. Try your own numbers.

Weekly or lump sum

You have six months from DVA's notice to choose. The choice can't be undone, though DVA can extend the deadline. What you can convert depends on your weekly amount as a share of the maximum:

Weekly amountWhat you can convert
Under 10% of the maximum100% lump sum, or stay weekly
10% to 20%50% or 100%
Over 20%25%, 50%, 75% or 100%

The lump sum is the weekly amount multiplied by a conversion factor for your sex and age. Younger veterans get a bigger multiple. The lump sum can never be more than the figure for a man aged 30.

Your ageMenWomen
301,350.61,350.6
401,222.01,279.2
501,059.71,127.7
60863.6938.3
70636.3707.6
80396.5450.5
Conversion factors for elections made on or after 1 March 2026. DVA sets them by age next birthday, so the row for 40 uses the factor for 41. Source: CLIK.

Whether to take a lump sum is a big financial decision. With 50 or more points, DVA will pay up to $3,397.18 (from 1 July 2026) towards financial and legal advice.

Extra for dependants

At 80 or more points, an extra lump sum of $115,175.42 (from 1 July 2026) is paid for each eligible young dependant: a child under 16, or aged 16 to 24 in full-time education and not working full time.

Common questions

Is a DVA lump sum better than weekly payments?
It depends on your age, health, finances and plans. The lump sum is the weekly amount times an age-based factor. DVA pays for financial advice at 50+ points, which is worth using before you decide.
Does working affect permanent impairment compensation?
No. It's paid for the impairment, not lost income.

Sources

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