Australian Government
Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986
 
Veterans’ Entitlements (Treatment Principles – Mental Health Disorders - Diagnostic Protocols) Amendment Instrument 2014
Instrument 2014 No.R113
 
 
I, Michael Ronaldson, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, pursuant to subsection 90(5) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) approve this instrument made by the Repatriation Commission.
 
Dated this 23                 day of December                 2014
Michael Ronaldson
MICHAEL RONALDSON
 
The Repatriation Commission, pursuant to subsection 90(4) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (the Act), varies the Treatment Principles (Instrument 2013 No.R52) in accordance with the Schedule.
Dated this  16th       day of December                       2014
The Seal of the                                                              )
Repatriation Commission                                             )SEAL
was affixed hereto in the                                               )
presence of:                                                                   )
Simon Lewis               Jennifer Collins                         Major General Mark Kelly
....................................................................................................................................................
    SIMON LEWIS            JENNIFER COLLINS                      Major General Mark Kelly
                                                                                                                                    AO DSC
      PRESIDENT    ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT                                COMMISSIONER
 
                                                                                                               
 
Name
[1]  This instrument is the Veterans’ Entitlements (Treatment Principles – Mental Health Disorders - Diagnostic Protocols) Amendment Instrument 2014.
 
Commencement
 
[2]  This instrument commences on the day after it is registered.
 
 
Schedule
 
Variations to the Treatment Principles
 
1       Paragraph 1.4.1 (definition of “clinical psychologist”)
 
substitute:
 
“clinical psychologist” means a psychologist:
 
(a) who has been given a provider number in respect of being a psychologist; and
(b) has appropriate qualifications in clinical psychology and practises as a clinical psychologist.
 
Note: an example of an appropriate qualification would be completion of 2 years of formal, post-graduate (Masters level) clinical training in an accredited, university based program and completion of 2 more years supervised clinical training as well as continuing education on an annual basis.
 
1A    Paragraph 1.4.1
 
insert:
 
“general practitioner” has the meaning given by subsection 3(1) of the Health Insurance Act 1973.
 
2       Paragraph 2.4 (heading)
 
substitute:
 
2.4    Treatment of malignant neoplasia, pulmonary tuberculosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder.
3       Paragraph 2.4.1
 
substitute:
 
2.4.1  The Commission will provide, or accept financial responsibility for, treatment of a veteran for malignant neoplasia, pulmonary tuberculosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder (even if that injury or disease is not war-caused) on and from the date that is three months before the date on which an application to be provided with that treatment is received at an office of the Department in Australia.
 
4       Paragraph 2.4.2A
 
substitute:
 
2.4.2A        Subject to 2.4.2B, the Commission will provide, arrange, or accept financial responsibility for, treatment of a veteran under paragraph 2.4.1 in respect of post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder if the veteran has been assessed and diagnosed as suffering from the relevant disorder by:
(a) a psychiatrist; or
(b) a clinical psychologist; or
(c) a general practitioner;
in accordance with the criteria for such assessment and diagnosis as set out in the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly known as DSM-5) in force on the date in Schedule 1.
 
5       Paragraph 2.4.2B
 
substitute:
 
2.4.2B         For the purpose of establishing whether or not post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder is the actual or most likely diagnosis, the Secretary may require a veteran to be examined, at Commonwealth expense, by a psychiatrist.
 
6       Paragraph 2.4.3(b)
 
substitute:
 
(b)   the Commission is satisfied that the veteran does not suffer, or no longer suffers, any incapacity from a malignant neoplasm, pulmonary tuberculosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder.
 
7       Paragraph 2.4.5 (including the note)
 
substitute:
 
2.4.5  The Commission will provide, arrange, or accept financial responsibility for the reasonable treatment of an injury or disease that is not war-caused to the extent that it is a necessary part of, and is directly associated with, the treatment of the veterans' post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder.