If you’re receiving study support from DVA and facing challenges due to pregnancy, you’re not alone—and the good news is, support doesn’t necessarily stop when circumstances change. In this blog post, we will explore how DVA study support during pregnancy works, your available options, and where to seek further guidance.
Cleo engages help from Recovery Partners to rejoin the workforce
Recovery Partners consultant, Petroula received a referral from DVA in March 2023. Cleo had discharged from ADF awhile ago and was dropping to 75% of her ADF wages in a few months’ time when she reached her 45 weeks post-ADF discharge. Cleo was keen to explore her vocational options as she wanted to return to the workforce but didn’t know how to.
Petroula commenced vocational counselling and both Cleo and Petroula agreed that a Certificate 4 in Accounting and Bookkeeping would help Cleo embark on a career as a bookkeeper. Cleo had previous bookkeeping skills from before she enlisted with ADF. This career would give her the flexibility to work from home, as she had an infant to care for. This study was approved by DVA and Cleo commenced her studies.
Cleo finds out she is pregnant!
However, a few months into her study and Cleo had fantastic news – she was pregnant! Cleo wanted to continue her studies. As her studies were online and self-paced, she was able to continue studying throughout her entire pregnancy. Unfortunately, after Cleo delivered her second child, she was really struggling with continuing her studies. This is understandable. She was afraid that DVA was going to cut the funding for her studies because she could not continue any longer.
Petroula notified DVA of Cleo’s personal circumstance and the effort that had been made to continue studies. DVA initially declined the request to pause her studies but Petroula persevered. DVA later confirmed that they could pause the studies for 6 months whilst Cleo recovered from her recent childbirth and that they would not cut the funding for her studies, it was merely paused for 6 months.
Obviously a big relief for Cleo! 6 months later and Cleo has resumed her studies and is due to complete her Cert 4 in the next few months.
Want to find out more?
Our services are available nationwide. Our consultants love to have a chat, so go ahead and give us a call on 1300 OHS RTW (647 789) or email enquiries@rrp.com.au
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If you enjoyed our blog post on ‘DVA Study Support During Pregnancy‘ you may also be interested in:
- Veteran Rehabilitation Services
- How DVA Rehabilitation Services Support Veterans
- Open Arms: Veteran Self-Help Tools
Recovery Partners are a national rehabilitation provider contracted with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to deliver Rehabilitation Services to eligible veterans. For more information on DVA’s Rehabilitation Services, please visit the DVA website.
Disclaimer – these articles are provided to supply general safety information to people responsible for OHS in their organisation. They are general in nature and do not substitute for legal and/or professional advice. We always suggest that organisations obtain information specific to their needs. Additional information can be found at https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/