Navigating DVA, Open Arms, and NCDT: Which Support Is Right for You?

Knowing that support exists is not the same as knowing how to reach it. For many Clearance Divers and their families, the landscape of veteran support in Australia can feel like a system designed for people who already know how it works. The acronyms stack up. The eligibility criteria are not always clear. And when you are already dealing with financial pressure, health challenges, or the weight of a difficult transition, adding a research project to the list is the last thing you need.

This guide cuts through that. It explains the three main sources of veteran support available to Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers and their families: the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), Open Arms, and the Navy Clearance Diver Trust (NCDT). It covers what each one provides, when each one makes sense, and whether you can access more than one at the same time.

The Three Services at a Glance

These services are not in competition with each other. They operate at different layers and are often most effective when used together.

DVA: Department of Veterans’ Affairs Run by the Australian Government. Covers compensation, healthcare, rehabilitation, financial support, and housing assistance. For eligible veterans, serving personnel, and their families.

Open Arms Funded by DVA and operated independently. Free and confidential. Covers mental health counselling, peer support, and a 24/7 crisis line. For veterans, serving personnel, and their families. No referral needed.

NCDT Relief Fund A registered charity with no government funding. Covers immediate financial assistance when other services fall short. For Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers and their families only.

NCDT Transition and Resilience Fund A registered charity with no government funding. Covers career coaching, education scholarships, and peer mentoring. For Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers and their families only.

What Does DVA Actually Cover?

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is the Australian Government body responsible for supporting veterans, serving personnel, and their families. It is the largest and most comprehensive source of long-term support available, and for most veterans it is the right starting point.

DVA’s main areas of coverage include:

• Compensation for service-related injury, illness, or death
• Healthcare: access to medical treatment, mental health services, and allied health providers
• Rehabilitation programs to support recovery and return to work or daily life
• Financial support, including income support payments administered through Services Australia
• Support for carers and families of veterans with service-related conditions

DVA’s breadth is one of its strengths. For long-term, ongoing support, it is often the most substantial resource available to veterans in Australia.

That said, the process of accessing DVA support is not always straightforward. Claims require documentation and can take time to assess. For Clearance Divers whose service involved classified operations, building an evidence base can be particularly complex. Conditions that emerge or worsen years after service, which is common in this community, may require additional steps to establish the service connection.

None of this is a reason to avoid DVA. It is, rather, a reason to start the process early, and to understand that other forms of support may be appropriate alongside it or while a DVA claim is being processed.

For help navigating the DVA system, Open Arms can connect you with DVA advocates who specialise in supporting veterans through the claims process.

What Is Open Arms and When Should You Use It?

Open Arms is a mental health and counselling service funded by the Australian Department of Defence through DVA and operated independently. It is free, confidential, and available to veterans, current serving personnel, and their families. You do not need to have a DVA claim open, and you do not need to be in crisis to access it.

Open Arms provides:

• Individual counselling with trained mental health professionals who understand military experience
• Couples and family counselling, because the effects of service extend beyond the individual
• Peer support groups facilitated by veterans with lived experience
• A 24/7 crisis line for those who need support outside of business hours

If you need to speak with someone now, contact Open Arms on 1800 011 046. The ADF All-Hours Support Line is also available around the clock on 1800 628 036.

Open Arms is the right first call whenever mental health, stress, relationship strain, or general wellbeing are part of what you are navigating. The barrier to entry is intentionally low: it does not require forms or eligibility assessments before you can speak to someone.

For broader mental health information and resources, the Australian Government’s Head to Health service also provides a directory of mental health supports available across Australia.

Where Does NCDT Fit In?

The Navy Clearance Diver Trust exists specifically for Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers and their families. It does not replicate what DVA or Open Arms do. It operates where those services have gaps, particularly for the CD community, whose needs and circumstances are specific enough that a generalist approach does not always reach them.

The Trust is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and operates through two funds with distinct purposes.

The NCDT Relief Fund: When You Need Help Now

The NCDT Relief Fund provides direct financial assistance to Clearance Divers and their families who are facing hardship. This includes situations where DVA support has not yet come through, where an urgent need has arisen that other schemes do not cover, or where a sudden life event has created financial pressure that cannot wait for a formal claims process.

The fund is designed to respond to real circumstances, not tick-box criteria. If you or your family are in a difficult situation, the right approach is to reach out and have a conversation. The NCDT’s CD Liaison role exists specifically to provide a confidential, trusted point of contact for Clearance Divers considering support.

Eligibility extends to current and former Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers and their dependants. You do not need to be in extreme crisis to enquire.

The NCDT Transition and Resilience Fund: Programs That Prevent Hardship

The NCDT Transition and Resilience Fund funds programs that help Clearance Divers avoid hardship in the first place, rather than responding after it happens.

These programs include:

• The CD Professional Coaching Program (CDPC): professional coaching for Clearance Divers navigating the transition to civilian careers, open to serving CDs approaching transition and to ex-serving CDs at any stage
• The NCDT Education Scholarship: education and training scholarships of up to $5,000 AUD per applicant per year, covering professional courses, study costs, equipment, and related expenses, open to ex-serving CDs and dependants
• The Clearance Diver Mentoring Program: a peer-to-peer program launching in 2026, connecting Clearance Divers navigating transition with those who have already made the journey

These are not emergency services. They are tools for Clearance Divers who want to build a stable and purposeful civilian life, and for families who want to support them in doing so.

Can You Access More Than One Service at the Same Time?

Yes, and for many Clearance Divers and their families, using more than one service at once is not only possible but sensible.

A Clearance Diver may have a DVA compensation claim in progress while also receiving immediate financial assistance through the NCDT Relief Fund during the wait. A family member may be working with an Open Arms counsellor while their partner is participating in the NCDT coaching program. Someone approaching discharge may be exploring DVA entitlements, attending Open Arms peer support, and applying for an NCDT scholarship, all at the same time.

These services were designed with different mandates. They do not overlap in ways that create problems. What matters is that you are accessing the support that fits your current situation, not that you limit yourself to one service out of uncertainty about whether combining them is allowed.

If you are unsure what you are eligible for, contact the NCDT directly or speak with an Open Arms counsellor, who can help map out what is available to you.

How to Take the First Step

The right first step depends on what is most pressing right now.

If you are facing financial hardship: request support through the NCDT or contact the CD Liaison at cdliaison@ncdt.org.au. Your enquiry is confidential and there is no obligation in making contact.

If mental health or wellbeing is the priority: contact Open Arms on 1800 011 046. Free, confidential, and available around the clock. No referral needed, and no need to be in crisis.

If you want to understand your DVA entitlements: visit dva.gov.au or ask Open Arms to connect you with a DVA advocate. If income or financial support through Services Australia may be relevant, a DVA advocate can help you explore that pathway too.

If you are approaching transition and want to plan ahead: explore the programs available through the NCDT, including coaching, scholarships, and mentoring, all designed for exactly this stage.

If you want to learn more about the NCDT before reaching out: visit the About NCDT page for an overview of the Trust, how it is governed, and how it operates.

You do not need to have your situation fully figured out before you make contact. You do not need to know which service applies to you. That is what the first conversation is for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have left the Navy to access NCDT support? No. Both the NCDT Relief Fund and the programs under the Transition and Resilience Fund are open to serving Clearance Divers as well as ex-serving CDs and their families. For the coaching program, serving CDs can participate once transition is on the horizon. For immediate financial support, eligibility is not conditional on having completed service.

Is NCDT support means-tested or does it require a formal application process? The NCDT assesses each request individually, based on circumstances rather than a rigid means-test. The process begins with a conversation through the CD Liaison, who provides a confidential point of contact separate from the trustees. There is no obligation in making an initial enquiry. For specific eligibility questions, visit the Support FAQs page or reach out directly.

What if I am not sure whether my situation qualifies for DVA support? If you are uncertain about your DVA eligibility, particularly if your service involved classified operations or if your condition emerged or worsened after discharge, Open Arms on 1800 011 046 can connect you with a DVA advocate who specialises in helping veterans understand and document their entitlements. You do not need to navigate this alone, and uncertainty is not a reason to delay making contact.

Reaching out is not a sign that something has gone wrong. It is what responsible self-care looks like after a career spent putting others first.

The Navy Clearance Diver Trust is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). To request support, visit ncdt.org.au/support. For urgent mental health support, contact Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or the ADF All-Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036.