TPI federation

TPI Federation

Welcome to the official Website of the Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex Servicemen and Women Ltd. (Incorporated in the ACT) which is a Non-Political, Non-Sectarian Ex-Service Organisation.

Our website has been designed to provide information and communication for Ex Service Personnel who are eligible for, and granted, or in receipt, of the Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Compensation (TPI’s) or Special Rate (SR) payments referred to in Section 24 of the Veterans Entitlements Act (VEA) 1986 (as amended) or the Military Rehabilitation Compensation Act (MRCA) 2004 as determined by the Department for Veterans Affairs.

2024 NATIONAL TPI Congresses.

Date: 20-22 March 2024.

Date: 14-16 August 2024.

Where: Mercure on Limestone, Limestone Ave, Canberra, ACT.

Contact your State/Territory TPI Association

for the Observer Application for either Meeting.

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MEMBERSHIP

Becoming A Member

Becoming a Member of your State/Territory TPI Association has many benefits for you and your family through generous concessions gained for you by either the TPI Federation or the State/Territory Associations.

Nationally this includes concessional travel via the Great Southern Railways as well as Fleet Discounts on new/used motor vehicles as well as a host of other National & Local Government concessions and benefits, which will be outlined, to you when joining your appropriate State/Territory Association.

The Australian TPI Federation also has representation on a number of Federal Government Committees that deal with matters relevant to Veteran issues and all determinations from these are forwarded to all State/Territory bodies for dissemination to all their TPI Members.

TPI Federation of Australia

Australian Federation of Totally & Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen & Women providing Information and assistance for all Special Rate and TPIs.
TPI Federation of Australia
TPI Federation of Australia
The DVA Secretary has asked that the following information be forwarded following media reporting regarding the Veterans’ MATES program.

Statement from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs - Veterans’ MATES program

The Veterans’ MATES program has been operating for more than 18 years to provide a valuable proactive service addressing ‘real life’ health care problems in the veteran community. Specifically, the program seeks to positively change veteran medicine usage, and increase the uptake of complementary DVA funded health services, all to support veteran wellbeing and a reduction in adverse medicine events.

The University of South Australia is contracted by DVA to deliver the Veterans’ MATES program on DVA’s behalf.

The program takes an evidence based, targeted approach, using a team of clinical experts to develop current health and medicine information, using secure and private billing data to identify members of the veteran community who would benefit from receiving this information.

Identified data is only used to determine veterans who are at risk of medicine related problems, writing to the veteran and their doctor to bring them together to have a positive conversation that is tailored to the veteran’s specific health care needs. All other data used in the program is de-identified.

DVA takes privacy very seriously, and we would like to assure veterans and families that DVA and the University of South Australia have strict policies in place to ensure the appropriate protection of personal information, and that ethics approval remains in place, guiding the delivery of the program.

• Since the program’s inception, the Veterans’ MATES program has reached more than 300,000 veterans. Each year approximately 77,000 veterans receive health educational material from Veterans’ MATES, specific to their health care needs. Veterans report they find the information useful, and that it empowers them to take an active role in their own health. This targeted and timely information and support for veterans, and their healthcare teams, has achieved many positive health outcomes across a range of health issues affecting the veteran community. Evidence shows that adverse medicine events have been reduced and that veteran access to suitable health services has increased.

We would like to reassure veterans and families that there has not been a breach of their data, and there is no systemic data security issue. The recent determination by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) relates to an individual case in 2017 whereby the individual opted out of participation in the program and DVA did not fully implement this request. DVA has unequivocally apologised for this.

Veterans have always had the ability to opt out of the program, however DVA has taken steps to more prominently communicate this, so veterans can make an informed decision about their participation.

The OAIC determination has highlighted that DVA’s notices to veterans could include more information about how their billing information would be used for the purpose of the MATES program. More information about privacy, and the ability of veterans to opt-out of the MATES program has been added to DVA’s website and MATES program materials.

The Secretary has requested a review of the MATES program to ensure that all requests to opt out of the program have been actioned appropriately, and to provide further assurance of compliance with the opt out provisions under the program.

DVA is engaging with the OAIC openly and in good faith, as it looks to improve its processes.

More information about the MATES program and the use of personal information can be found at Veterans' MATES | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au) and https://www.veteransmates.net.au.
TPI Federation of Australia
TPI Federation of Australia
Royal Commission Dead Line!
Tell your mates: Royal Commission deadline is fast approaching

People now have fewer than 70 days to lodge a submission with the Royal Commission examining the treatment of veterans and serving ADF members.

Submissions must be lodged by Friday October 13.

But there’s good news: lawyers from the Defence and Veterans Legal Service are providing free assistance with the preparation of submissions to that enquiry.

This legal service has specialist lawyers in all states and territories, and it also assists the families of current and ex-serving people.

Importantly, its legal support is confidential and completely independent of all agencies - including ADF, DVA and the Defence Department.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide represents a major opportunity. It aims to right past wrongs and improve the treatment of current and future veterans and ADF personnel.

If you’d like to know more, call the Defence and Veterans Legal Service on 1800 33 1800 to chat about your options. You can remain anonymous if you wish to. All its services are free.