Application for Retrospective Invalidity (A-RETRO)

Section 31A of the Australian Defence Force Cover Act 2015 (Cth) treats a person as medically discharged if they ceased to be a covered ADF member for another reason and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC) is later satisfied that grounds existed, at that time, on which they could have been medically discharged because of a physical or mental impairment. CSC then determines the person's percentage of incapacity for civil employment (s 18(2A)). The form and CSC's member guide say MilitarySuper members are covered by Rule 30 of the Military Superannuation and Benefits Trust Deed. Approval and classification are separate decisions: a member classified Class A or B receives an invalidity benefit, and Class C does not. DFRDB members apply through Defence.

When you need it

• You were a contributing MilitarySuper member, or a covered ADF member under ADF Cover, and you transitioned from the ADF for reasons other than invalidity or medical separation.
• You had a medical condition at the date of transition that you say was causing restrictions for civilian employment. The condition does not need to be service related.
• You have not already been assessed by CSC for invalidity for that period. CSC's guide says you can only apply once for the same period.

1. 1

   Part A - about yourself

   Give your service, service number, name, date of birth, address, date of transition, preferred contact details and whether you receive DVA payments.

2. 2

   Part B - medical conditions

   List the conditions you say led to your transition, and any treatment outside the ADF at the time (GP, specialist, Open Arms, medication, rehabilitation). Attach medical reports from at or around transition, and the CSC consent form so CSC can get your Defence and DVA files.

3. 3

   Part C - employment and qualifications

   Detail your first employer after leaving the ADF (type of work, duties, hours, restrictions, reason for leaving), your pre-service, in-service and post-service employment, and your study and qualifications, or attach a CV.

4. 4

   Part D - payment and identification

   Give bank details for any invalidity benefit or arrears, and provide a driver's licence (front and back) or passport, ticking the boxes if you consent to Document Verification Service checks.

5. 5

   Part E - consents and declaration

   Read and sign the consents for CSC to collect and share medical, employment and personnel information, add any limitation, then sign and date the declaration.

• Email the completed form and attachments to formsandapplications@csc.gov.au, or post it to CSC, GPO Box 2252, Canberra ACT 2601 (Part F of the form).
• Include supporting medical reports, your CV or employment history, any employer evidence of how your conditions affected work, identification and a TFN declaration.
• If you disagree with a CSC decision under the ADF Cover Act, you can ask CSC in writing to reconsider within 30 days after notice of the decision, setting out your grounds (s 58).

• Consider the financial effects first. DVA incapacity payments are offset by CSC invalidity benefits for the same period, and DVA may recover an overpayment from your arrears. CSC's guide also flags possible tax, Centrelink and child support effects.
• For ADF Super members, approval can mean you were not eligible for lifePLUS Protect auto cover from when it started, with premiums refunded to your ADF Super account.
• If someone is helping you, lodge a Third Party Authority (AUTH) form so CSC can deal with them. CSC says you do not need to pay a support person for this process.