Update on 17 September 2026
The Government withdrew the proposed $5,000 annual allied health threshold. The commitment to higher provider fees remains. The statement did not confirm whether the planned removal of the Treatment Cycle will proceed. See the Minister's statement and our withdrawal update.
TL;DR
- The proposed $5,000 threshold was withdrawn before its planned July 2027 start.
- The Government says its commitment to higher allied health fees remains.
- The September statement leaves the future of the Treatment Cycle unresolved. Providers should follow the rules currently in force.
- The withdrawal is not a voucher, unlimited treatment offer or reason to change advertising claims.
What changed after the original proposal?
The May 2026 Budget proposed a package of higher allied health fees, removal of the 12-session Treatment Cycle and a $5,000 annual threshold for reviewing care. This guide originally explained that proposal. The threshold has since been withdrawn, so its review calculations and proposed approval pathway no longer describe an incoming policy.
For the announcement and its context, read our 17 September withdrawal update.
Planning for the announced fee increase
Keep current claiming rates separate from future planning assumptions. The DVA allied health fees guide compares the published July 2026 rates with the four announced July 2027 examples: physiotherapy PH20, exercise physiology EP11 and podiatry F012 at $110, and psychology US14 at $260.
These examples are not a complete future schedule. Before changing billing or forecasts, check the current DVA fee schedules for the service date and profession. Model the relevant item mix, clinical time, staffing, administration and practice capacity. Do not model a $5,000 review threshold as a future constraint.
The marketing trap for DVA providers
The withdrawal does not create a new benefit to promote. Clinics should check their DVA pages and advertising against the current Provider Notes.
The January 2026 Notes for Allied Health Providers apply their advertising clauses to providers, advocates for practices and third parties advertising on their behalf. Advertising includes websites, printed material, social media and physical promotion that refers to veterans or the veteran community.
Under those Notes, providers must not:
- advertise services as free, fully funded, complimentary, having no fees or using similar claims;
- use Australian Government logos;
- use images of Veteran Cards, or designs resembling them, without DVA permission;
- imply that the practice is preferred, endorsed by or acting as an agent of DVA;
- publish false or misleading information, including visual emphasis that downplays clinical necessity; or
- offer inducements to DVA clients or their spouses.
The Notes provide one approved form of wording without separate permission: We welcome DVA clients, DVA Veteran Cards (Gold and White) are accepted as payment upon a GP referral
. Providers wanting different wording must seek DVA approval.
That approved sentence reflects the current referral system. The September statement did not confirm the planned removal of the Treatment Cycle. Clinics should not rewrite referral wording in anticipation of a change. Continue using the current rules until DVA formally amends the Provider Notes.
| Risky campaign message | Why it is risky | Better approach now |
|---|---|---|
| Claim your $5,000 DVA benefit | Promotes a withdrawn proposal as a personal entitlement or voucher. | Use DVA's currently approved acceptance wording. |
| Use your DVA balance before 30 June | Encourages utilisation and implies a spendable balance that should not be wasted. | Communicate that treatment is based on assessed clinical need. |
| DVA fully funds our services | Current Provider Notes specifically prohibit this type of language. | State card acceptance using approved words and explain that eligibility and clinical requirements apply. |
| No GP referral needed from July 2027 | The September statement did not confirm the planned removal of the Treatment Cycle or a replacement referral process. | Wait for updated DVA guidance before changing referral claims. |
| DVA approved or preferred clinic | Implies endorsement or agency that DVA does not permit. | Describe the practice's own services, qualifications, locations and availability without suggesting endorsement. |
Registered health practitioners also remain subject to the National Law. Ahpra's advertising guidance prohibits false or misleading claims, unreasonable expectations of beneficial treatment and advertising that encourages indiscriminate or unnecessary use. The policy change does not relax those requirements.
What providers should update
- Remove references to an incoming $5,000 threshold from websites, patient handouts and reception scripts.
- Keep current referral, care-plan and reporting procedures in place until DVA publishes replacement requirements.
- Distinguish announced fee examples from the rates used for current claims.
- Check that DVA service pages describe card acceptance, eligibility and the practice's services without implying government endorsement.
- Give the team a dated source link for any future policy update before changing patient-facing information.
What remains unresolved?
The Minister's statement did not set out a replacement for the threshold or confirm the future of the Treatment Cycle. Watch DVA provider guidance for any new referral, reporting or integrity measures. Historical Budget documents explain the original proposal; they should not be read as evidence that the withdrawn threshold will start.
This article provides general information only and is not advice tailored to your business or circumstances. Information, policies, fees and platform rules may change. Check current primary sources and seek appropriately qualified advice where necessary. For marketing guidance based on your circumstances, talk with our team.