TPI Association WA – What is a TPI?
A TPI is a previous member of the military services of Australia (Air Force, Army or Navy) who did, during their period of eligible service, sustain injury, illness or disease that renders them permanently unemployable in the paid workforce. The ‘Special Rate’ or ‘TPI’ pension is a compensation payment pension paid by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs as distinct from an income support pension such as the Old Age Pension or Service Pension etc.
The Special Rate (TPI) payment compensates disability pensioners who are unable to work solely because of their accepted war/defence caused disabilities. The payment is granted where the veteran has a degree of incapacity of his/her accepted war/defence disabilities which can be assessed in accordance with the Guide to Assessment of Rates of Veterans’ Pensions (GARP) at 70% or more and is unable to work more than 8 hours per week because of his/ her accepted disabilities and have ceased work solely on account of accepted war/ defence disabilities.
Generally speaking, a person over 65 years cannot qualify for a TPI Pension. Where a veteran is over 65 years and is extremely disabled, he/she may qualify for an Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) payment. Note: It is NOT a requirement for granting the Special Rate (TPI) payment that the injury, illness or disease must occur during active service in a ‘War Zone’.
TPI Association WA – Profile
The Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women West Australian Branch (Inc.) is a member of the Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women Limited (ACN 008 591 704).
We are an Ex-Service organisation and our members have been classified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs as TPI under the Veterans Entitlement Act.
The Association originated in Victoria in 1939 and the Western Australian Branch was formed 1940. The inaugural meeting of the Association took place on the 4th of April 1940.
At the Federal Congress held in Brisbane in 1952, it was agreed that this Association be known as “The Totally and Permanently Disabled Soldiers Association” and that the “TPI” be retained for abbreviation purposes. TPI is now used as the centre of the badge, and as a general term referring to the Association.
The Association is open to anyone who has been granted a TPI payment from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and wants to keep up to date with the latest information or just wants to meet like minded people. The Western Australian branch currently has around 2000 members and is growing daily.
Objectives of the TPI Association WA
The TPI Association WA will endeavour:
| Quality: The service that we provide be of the highest quality. |
| Courtesy: Treat everyone with courtesy, respect and sensibility. |
| Services: Endeavour to improve our services to members. |
| Support: Listen to what our members tell us and explain our decisions. |
Western Australian Executive
The State Management Committee is elected annually, for a two year term. That is part of the Committee each year. The Committee meets every month, except for January.
Monthly Meetings
The General Meetings are held every month, on the 2nd Tuesday, except for January and April. The AGM is held in April. The meetings are open to all financial members of the TPI Association WA. The meetings are held in the RAAFA Club, Bull Creek Drive, Bull Creek. There is plenty of parking in the underground parking at the rear of the club, and buses and trains run frequently.