Arabic version: جنود الخدمة الوطنية سيحصلون على مزايا صحية متساوية اعتبارًا من 1 يوليو
From July 1, a group of Australian soldiers conscripted during the Vietnam War will be eligible to receive the same health benefits as other veterans after a decades-long fight for recognition. According to ABC News, approximately 63,000 men were drafted into National Service between 1965 and 1972, with only 19,000 serving in Vietnam. Those who did not serve overseas have had fewer entitlements until now, with the group, known as “Nashos” now coming under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.
The changes will align all veterans under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, allowing for a more unified approach to claims. Federal Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh stated that the new system aims to simplify the process and expedite claims, which have historically taken up to 400 days to process.
A group advocating for National Servicemen, known as Nasho Fair Go, is pushing for priority in claims due to the advancing age of its members, many of whom are now aged between 75 and 81. The spokesperson for the minister indicated that claims would be prioritized based on individual need rather than service type.
The new system follows recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which was handed down in 2024. The government estimates that the implementation of these changes will cost around $200 million over the next two years, reflecting a significant shift in the treatment of veterans who served under the National Service program.
