We’ve Been Through it Too
With a medical discharge, our Founder and veteran advisors understand the personal weight behind a compensation decision.
Understand Your Offer
We explain the figures, choices and practical consequences in plain English so you understand what each could mean for you and your family.
Make Your Compensation Last
Build a plan that reflects your needs today while balancing your future goals so your PI payment can provide long-term financial security.
Your DVA Permanent Impairment Offer and What It Means
DVA Permanent Impairment (PI) compensation is a tax-free payment for the lasting effects of an accepted service-related injury, disease or condition. DVA assesses the combined level of impairment and lifestyle impact using impairment points, a lifestyle rating, and the type of service connected with the condition.
From July 1 2026, new PI claims are determined under the improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA). Eligible veterans may receive fortnightly payments or elect to convert all or part of the entitlement to an age-based lump sum.
The lump-sum election generally must be made within six months of receiving the determination and cannot be reversed, so understanding how DVA permanent impairment works before choosing matters is important. This is especially important if you have been medically discharged.
What client say about us
Why Work With National Service Financial
Veteran-Owned Business
We understand the challenges of transitioning out of service because we’ve been there. Our personal experiences inform our approach, allowing us to relate to the concerns veterans face.
Specialist Military Financial Adviser
Our advisers specialise in military financial needs and transitions. They are experienced in the complexities of post-service financial landscapes, including DVA entitlements, superannuation, compensation and insurance options.
Expertise with DVA Benefits
We work with PI, SRDP and incapacity payments every day and understand how they fit together. We help veterans understand the full scope of their DVA entitlements and other financial resources available to maximise benefits and secure their post-service future.
Advice for DFRDB, MSBS and ADF Super
Get advice on the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme, Military Superannuation Benefits Scheme and ADF Super. We assist with these complex superannuation and compensation systems, ensuring you understand your options and make decisions in line with your financial goals.
Who We Help
- We support veterans reviewing a PI offer
- Those comparing lump-sum and fortnightly payments
- Medically discharged members
- Recipients of MRCA permanent impairment compensation
- Veterans considering reassessment
- Families planning around compensation, super and household income
Our Process
With a focus on superannuation, financial planning, and compensation reviews, our ongoing guidance ensures your financial future is secure and well planned.
Financial Discovery Appointment
We start with a financial discovery appointment. This initial meeting focuses on assessing your current financial situation, identifying key priorities and setting clear objectives for your future.
Clear Understanding of Your PI Offer
We explore the benefits, restrictions, and decisions relevant to your specific PI offer.
Review of Your Payment Options, Tax and Entitlements
We thoroughly assess your PI offer and explain how it impacts cash flow, investing, super, Centrelink, and relevant DVA payments.
Comprehensive Financial Plan
We help you plan to support your financial stability and long-term goals. Our strategies consider your current financial situation, future aspirations and available resources, ensuring a solid foundation for post-ADF life.
Getting Your Permanent Impairment Decision Right
DVA permanent impairment payment rates reflect your combined impairment points, age, lifestyle rating and service type. A permanent impairment calculator may provide an estimate, but it cannot account for every condition, offset, entitlement or personal objective.
Lump-sum compensation for permanent impairment provides capital upfront, while periodic payments are made fortnightly. Neither option is automatically better; we work with veterans to assess the right fit, considering your age, health, debts, income and long-term goals.
Veterans generally have six months from the date of your offer to elect a lump sum, although DVA may extend this period in special circumstances. Once chosen, the decision cannot be reversed, so it’s important to seek professional advice to ensure you’re making the correct choice.
Both lump-sum and periodic PI payments are tax-free. However, how you hold or invest the money may create separate tax or means testing consequences.
Your decision should be considered alongside military super, incapacity payments, the SRDO, and Centrelink, as PI compensation can offset other entitlements and potentially your long-term plan.
DVA-Funded Advice on Your PI Offer
Veterans can receive reimbursement for financial advice that helps with decisions related to entitlements, superannuation, retirement funding, investing, or planning. If DVA awards PI compensation based on 50 or more impairment points, veterans could be reimbursed for advice from a suitably qualified financial adviser. Our expert financial advisors will guide you every step of the way to ensure you understand your superannuation and retirement planning, and to help you build a stable financial future as you transition to civilian life.