VETERAN SUPPORT CENTRE
The Currumbin Palm Beach office of the Gold Coast District Veterans' Support Centre is located at the Currumbin RSL Community Centre opposite the Currumbin RSL. Normal appointment times are between 9:00am and 2:30pm Monday to Friday. Phone (07) 5559-5022, Fax (07) 5559-5033

What We Do
The Veterans' Support Centre provides professional advice and assistance to veterans, serving members, ex-members of the Defence Forces and their dependants, seeking to obtain entitlements under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 as Amended (the ACT) and from the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Scheme. We do this in accordance with the Mission, Role and Objectives of the National RSL. The expenses associated with maintaining the office, including phone expenses, furniture, stationary etc are kindly met by the Currumbin-Palm Beach RSL Sub-branch. All our staff are unpaid volunteers who have attended Department of Veterans' Affairs training courses.

The service covers disability pensions, compensation payments, associated allowances, income support payments and medical treatment which may be available to entitled veterans, members and ex-members of the Defence Forces and their dependants. Whilst the service can provide limited advice to Commonwealth and Allied veterans, those veterans will normally be referred to local branches of expatriate associations who would normally have more expertise in what benefits their home country provides for its veterans. The service includes:

• Providing an initial contact point for welfare matters, assessment of the need and assistance in contacting the relevant service-providers to solve the problem.
• Assistance and advice in the preparation of Primary Claims and applications for increased benefits under the ACT and the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Scheme;
• Advice on applications for the review of Primary Decisions made under the ACT and the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Scheme;
• Preparation and presentation of cases for review to the Repatriation Commission under Section 31 of the Act;
• Preparation and presentation of cases for reconsideration under the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Scheme;
• Preparation and presentation of cases Appealing Section 31 decisions for Hearing to the Veterans' Review Board Tribunal;
• Preparation and presentation of cases for review involving the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Scheme to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal; and
• In certain circumstances, the preparation and presentation of cases for review to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

There is no requirement for a Veteran to be a member of the RSL to avail themselves of these services. They are available to all entitled veterans, members and ex-members of the Defence Forces, and their dependants.

There is no charge made for these services, but the RSL is unable to accept responsibility for any indirect charges such as medical or other reports that may be necessary to support a Veteran's claim or application. The person being assisted is required to give an undertaking to accept this responsibility. However, there may be certain provisions where assistance may be available for reimbursement of such charges.

The Veterans' Support Centre volunteer staff works together as a team. Assistance to an entitled person is provided by them as a whole and not by a particular member of that team. Whilst every effort is made to meet the wishes of the person requesting the assistance we cannot guarantee a particular person will handle a particular case. Whilst every endeavour is made to assist when requests are made by telephone or an unannounced visit, there may be delays and sometimes the appropriate person to give you advice may not be available. It is best to make an appointment so that you can be dealt with promptly and without interruption.

Our Volunteers
All of our people are volunteers who have received training under the DVA Training and Information Programme (TIP). We have people who have been trained at the basic level as Pensions Officers and Welfare Officers, as well as at the advanced level as Case Officers and Advocates. One of our members is a solicitor who represents veterans at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal level.

Links
These links with other sites may provide useful background and other information but our professional staff has the will, the training and the background to help you with your inquiry.

Veterans Health Care
Treatment, Health Programs, Health Promotions, Housing, Counseling.

Pensions
Disability Pensions, Income Support Pensions, Eligibility, Rates, Qualifying Service, Statements of Principles, The Guide to Assessment to Rates of Veterans' Pensions (GARP)

Commemoration
Commemoration Activities, Australian War Memorial, War Graves

Veterans of Commonwealth and Allied Countries
Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States of America

If you have any questions please feel free to email us at vsc@westnet.com.au