DVA Approves Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for Eligible Veterans: A world first for Australian veterans.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has officially announced funding for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) a groundbreaking initiative that marks a major shift in the treatment of mental health conditions among veterans.
Approved Treatments:
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for veterans diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Eligibility:
Veterans must hold a Gold or White DVA Card with an accepted condition of PTSD or TRD, or be eligible under Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) for mental health conditions.
Treatment must be conducted within Australia, overseas or travelling veterans are not eligible.
Treatment Stage (Fourth-Line Care):
For PTSD: Veterans must have completed at least two strongly recommended evidence-based treatments without success.
For TRD: Veterans must have shown inadequate response to at least two previous treatment courses, including medication or psychotherapy.
Authorised Prescribers Only:
Treatment can only be provided by psychiatrists approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as Authorised Prescribers, working with an accredited clinical team.
Up to three dosing sessions per veteran will be funded, with additional sessions requiring approval from the DVA’s Chief Psychiatrist based on exceptional clinical evidence.
Provider Requirements:
All providers must submit a prior-authorisation request (Form D9538) including:
Evidence of prior treatment failures.
Full clinical rationale for PAP use.
Prescriber and clinical team credentials.
Fee breakdown and, where relevant, second psychiatrist involvement.
Retrospective funding for previously completed treatments will not be provided.
This move reflects a new, compassionate understanding of veteran mental health, one that recognises the limits of conventional treatments and the potential of innovative therapies.
By incorporating MDMA and psilocybin under controlled clinical supervision, the DVA acknowledges mounting international evidence that psychedelic-assisted therapies can support recovery, reduce trauma symptoms, and improve quality of life for veterans who have exhausted standard care options.
Guidance for Clinicians
General practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, and allied health professionals are encouraged to familiarise themselves with:
Eligibility criteria and clinical guidelines.
Authorised Prescriber pathways through the TGA.
Funding and reporting requirements under the new DVA framework.
Only accredited multidisciplinary teams working with an Authorised Prescriber may deliver the full PAP treatment cycle, including assessment, preparatory sessions, supervised dosing, psychotherapy integration, and follow-up.
For Veterans and Providers
Veterans and providers interested in exploring psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy should review detailed information on the DVA website, including the application process, eligibility, and provider responsibilities.
Visit:
DVA – Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Information for Providers
For ongoing updates and resources, visit:
Pro Patria Centre – Wagga Wagga
