A $739 million package of support for Australian veterans is set to transform the system of care for former service personnel, offering a broader range of rehabilitative services including funding for innovative treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The initiative, responding to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, aims to provide more preventative interventions and streamline access to support.
The funding, allocated over four years from 2025-26, will support “rehabilitation plans” for veterans who have an accepted claim for injury sustained during service. These plans will provide up to $2,000 for social wellbeing activities designed to help veterans reconnect with civilian life. A diverse array of options will be available, including yoga, surf therapy, gym memberships, cooking lessons, language courses and arts programs.
Beyond social activities, the package marks a significant shift in treatment approaches, with funding now available for medicinal cannabis, and, for the first time, psychedelic-assisted therapies using MDMA and psilocybin. These treatments will be reserved for veterans with the most severe and treatment-resistant cases of PTSD.
Understanding Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for PTSD
Australia has been at the forefront of exploring psychedelic therapies, having become the first country in the world to authorize treatments using MDMA and psilocybin. However, the high cost of these treatments – a minimum of $30,000 for a six-week course – has previously limited access. This new funding aims to address that barrier for eligible veterans.
Dr. Jon Lane, chief psychiatrist at the Department of Veterans Affairs, emphasized that these treatments will be considered a last resort, offered only after conventional therapies have been exhausted. “We’re talking about someone who has actually been through all the usual sorts of treatments for PTSD including the trauma-focused psychotherapies, various medications to help the anxiety, depression and anger and potentially substance abuse that typically accompany PTSD,” Dr. Lane explained.
The process is intensive, involving preparatory sessions, multiple dosing sessions, and subsequent “exposure therapy” where veterans confront traumatic memories under the guidance of trained professionals. Dr. Lane cautioned against viewing these treatments as a quick fix. “It’s really intense and hard work. You can’t just go and pop a pill and expect a miracle cure,” he stated. However, he noted that when effective, these therapies can facilitate new neural connections, potentially reducing the distress associated with trauma.
A Holistic Approach to Veteran Wellbeing
The broader focus of the rehabilitation plans extends beyond clinical treatments. The initiative recognizes the importance of addressing the loss of identity and community that often accompanies the transition from military to civilian life. Support will be available for life skills development, including financial counseling, pet care, and resilience training. Veterans can also access certificate or diploma courses and participate in peer-to-peer programs.
The government is also addressing gaps in support by streamlining the veterans payment scheme, simplifying processes and reducing wait times for accessing care. Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh highlighted that faster claims processing will enable veterans to receive timely access to treatments that may have been ineffective due to delays under the previous system.
However, the initiative is not without its limitations. Funding will not cover expenses such as medical treatment, travel, meals, accommodation, or courses already offered through Open Arms.
Addressing Systemic Issues and Financial Concerns
Alongside the $739 million commitment to rehabilitation, the government is also launching a $200 million crackdown on fraudulent practices within the veterans payment system, targeting unscrupulous doctors and fee-for-service advocates. This aims to ensure that funds are directed towards legitimate care and support for veterans.
The substantial financial commitment comes at a time when government spending is under scrutiny due to rising inflation, potentially placing pressure on Treasurer Jim Chalmers to maintain fiscal restraint in the upcoming May budget. However, Minister Keogh underscored the government’s commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of veterans. “Ultimately the people who put on our defence force uniform…are owed by our country to ensure they are looked after if they have been injured in their service,” he said. “For too long it was too difficult for them to get access to what they deserved.”
Dr. Lane emphasized the importance of community-based support, noting that recovery and growth are best fostered within a veteran’s own environment, surrounded by family and friends. “All this sort of stuff happens in the community, it doesn’t happen in hospitals…we’re talking about supporting treatment in the community that people can access and be in their own environments, around their family and their friends and still working. That’s so, so important because that’s the sort of functioning you need on a daily basis to recover and grow.”
