Specialist Medical Review Council

The Council reviews Statements of Principles and decisions of the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA). The Council does not consider individual applications for compensation, but reviews the evidence upon which the RMA bases its decisions. All members of the Council must be registered medical practitioners, or medical scientists, with at least 10 years experience. Section 196ZE of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 provides that they are to be selected from a list of nominees submitted by such colleges, or similar bodies of medical practitioners or medical scientists (e.g. the Royal Australian College of Physicians), as are asked by the Minister to submit nominees. The Council is assisted by staff made available by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Part-time members are appointed by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Members numbers vary from time to time as needed for new reviews.