CSC invalidity classification and review

The classification reflects your assessed incapacity for relevant civilian employment. Class A is 60% or more, Class B is at least 30% but less than 60%, and Class C is less than 30%. A medical transition alone does not establish Class A. CSC assesses your classification under its scheme rules, rather than adopting a DVA assessment.

The assessment considers your skills, qualifications and experience, the civilian employment you could undertake, and how your retiring impairments affect your capacity for that work. Retiring impairments are the medical conditions for which you were medically transitioned. Medical evidence should explain how those conditions affect your ability to perform the relevant civilian occupations, rather than simply list diagnoses.

A reconsideration challenges a decision you disagree with. A review of your invalidity classification considers whether your classification should change under the scheme’s review rules. Retrospective invalidity concerns whether you had medical conditions that would have justified a medical transition when you left the ADF. Medical transition includes medical retirement or discharge. These processes address different questions and are not interchangeable.

CSC’s general guidance describes reviews of invalidity classifications for members classified Class A or Class B. If you received an initial Class C classification under MilitarySuper or ADF Cover, do not assume that the same review pathway is available. Reconsideration of the original decision is a separate process. The applicable scheme, decision letter and time limits should be checked before choosing the next step.

Start with the decision, its reasons and the evidence CSC relied on. Compare the civilian occupations identified with your skills, qualifications and experience. Medical evidence should address the relevant impairments, their effect on your capacity for those occupations and the period being assessed.

If a report is recent but the decision concerns an earlier date, ask whether the practitioner can explain your condition at that time. Current limitations alone do not establish your capacity at the date relevant to the decision.

Keep a copy of all correspondence and check any time limit stated in your decision letter. Seek advice early rather than waiting for every document to arrive.

A CSC invalidity pension estimate depends on the applicable scheme, classification and your individual membership details. An estimate does not confirm entitlement or replace CSC’s formal calculation. Any interaction with DVA payments also needs to be considered.

KSC Law can review the reasons for the decision, identify the appropriate pathway and help organise the evidence needed. Book a free consultation and send through the decision letter if you have it.

Related reading: CSC claims lawyers for ADF members and veterans · Medical discharge and military pension eligibility

Use these guides to explore your scheme and prepare for a conversation about your circumstances. The estimator above is a starting point, not an entitlement decision.