Veterans' Advocacy Service
Who we are
We are a statewide specialist service of Legal Aid NSW. We assist war veterans, former and current serving members of the Defence Forces and their dependents to obtain pensions, compensation and other entitlements administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
We help:
- veterans who served in any armed conflict involving Australia, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Malaysian Emergency, the Vietnam War, East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan and other recent conflicts
- allied veterans who were involved in conflicts listed above
- veterans who were Australian Merchant Mariners during World War II
- members of Peace Keeping Forces
- widows and other dependants
- ex-members of the Defence Forces
- current serving members of the Defence Forces
How we can help
Advice
We give free independent advice about your rights and entitlements under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 and the Military Rehabilitation Compensation Act 2004. We also give advice on the merits of lodging claims and appeals and your chances of success.
Assistance
We can help you:
- lodge claims with the Department of Veterans' Affairs or with any other dealings with the Department
- complete application forms and questionnaires in relation to pension entitlement claims, pension assessments, war widows' pension, claims for acceptance of liability, applications for permanent impairment compensation and incapacity payments.
- lodge appeals to the Veterans' Review Board, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court.
Representation
We can represent you in your appeal to the Veterans’ Review Board, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and higher courts. This involves preparing your case, obtaining evidence and representing you at the hearing. Representation is available according to our guidelines, please ask us for more information.
Location
Our main service is located at our Central Sydney office, 323 Castlereagh St (corner of Hay St) Haymarket and is available from 9am to 5pm. If you are coming to visit us, please see reception on the ground floor first.
Contact us
Complete the veterans' contact form so that one of our team can contact you with free advice.
Email: veterans@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Call us on 02 9219 5148 (reverse charges accepted) for advice or to make an appointment.
You can also write to us at PO Box K847, Haymarket NSW 1240 or fax us on 02 9219 5145.
If you live in regional NSW you can also contact us through your local Legal Aid office or ex-service organisation.
Related information
- This brochure explains how Legal Aid NSW can help veterans and their dependants with advice and representation