Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I pay for advocacy? 
Historically, advocacy has been a free service offered by many ESO’s. Often, those advocates are volunteers, helping others in their spare time. They do an admirable job, but the two key practical limitations they face are time and money. Volunteers and ESO advocates are financed by BEST grants and donations. Less money means less access to resources, less flexibility, and less opportunity. When BEST Grants are calculated based on submission rates of claims, the incentive to produce quality claims just isn’t always there. By charging a competitive rate for our services, we are empowered to act on your behalf in a far more effective capacity. To demonstrate the difference, our mission at AVAC is more than simply lodging DVA claims. We aim to reduce the barriers veterans face by engaging with and supporting medical providers to better understand and serve the needs of veterans. We’re driven by the outcome of your claim – getting you the ongoing treatment and compensation you’re eligible for. This is why we offer a no-win, no-fee structure.
Why do you charge? 
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The fees imposed by AVAC Services ensure that we can continue to deliver an unrivalled advocacy service to our clients.
 
Are there hidden fees? 
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No, we are upfront about our fee structure. There are no hidden clauses in our contract. 
 
Are there any upfront costs? 
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Yes, there are upfront costs within our fee structure. These costs will be provided for your consideration during your initial consult. 
 
Do you charge everyone? 
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Yes, our fee structure applies to every client that engages AVAC Services for assistance with liability and compensation claims.
 
What if I get 80 Impairment Points and am eligible for a s80 payment under the MRCA, will you charge commission on the $96,000 for each Eligible Young Person (EYP)?
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No, we impose a very competitive rate of 5% on all compensation claims relating to our clients. The EYP payment is paid in respect to veterans for their EYP. Therefore, it would not align with our moral and ethical values to seek commission on this payment. 
 
Can you waive upfront fees? 
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AVAC Services will consider waiving upfront fees in extenuating circumstances. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
 
How much do other advocacy services charge? 
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AVAC Services’ fee structure is highly competitive, undercutting our competitors by up to 20%.
 
It says your advocates are qualified, what does this mean? 
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All of our advocates are either registered with, or have completed training under, the Advocacy Training and Development Pathway (ATDP). The ATDP is an accredited course designed to educate advocates about the DVA claims process. Previously, advocates were trained under the TIP program. The TIP program, however, focused on the earlier legislative acts, which don’t apply to our emerging contemporary veteran population.
It says you can help clients link in with treating doctors
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Yes, through AVAC Services’ medical consulting service, we have assisted many clinicians with establishing a thorough onboarding process that allows them to screen for common psychological and physiological injuries that veterans and ADF members are exposed to. Our mission is to remove barriers to veterans' healthcare. Therefore, by implementing administrative procedures that are tailored to veterans' and DVA’s requirements, we are able to link our clients with a compassionate and supportive treatment team. 
Do we have to go to a doctor AVAC recommends?
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No, although we have established a network of clinicians and allied health professionals, there is no obligation to engage with these service providers. If you are comfortable with your current treating team, it may be best to first consult with them prior to establishing a new clinical relationship. 
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Can you help with appeals?
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Yes, our team of advocates will be happy to review your case and provide you with realistic expectations if you were to appeal your determination. We charge a flat rate fee for appeals, as these matters require extensive time and effort in order to achieve the best possible outcome. 
What about AAT appeals? 
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Not currently; the AAT process is on par with civil litigation. Therefore, although our advocates are very experienced, we believe that proper legal assistance would offer veterans the best possible chance of success if their appeal were to proceed to an AAT hearing. Given this, we are currently in the process of onboarding a veteran who is also a qualified lawyer. Our plan is for this lawyer to represent veterans in AAT appeals, provide general legal advice, and potentially assist veterans with civil compensation claims. 
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