About the DVA Privacy Class Action
Gordon Legal has commenced a class action in the Supreme Court of Victoria against the Commonwealth in relation to the unauthorised use and disclosure of the sensitive personal information, including medical records, of veterans and their family members to the University of South Australia as part of the Veterans Medicines Advice and Therapeutics Education Services Program (MATES Program).
The class action is brought on behalf of group members, who are any person who at any time between 2004 and February 2024 held a healthcare card issued by the DVA (Veteran Card), had their personal information collected in connection with the use of their Veteran Card, and whose information was disclosed by the DVA to the University of South Australia as part of the MATES Program.
The class action seeks payment of compensation to group members for their loss caused by the DVA’s conduct in sharing their sensitive personal information without consent. It also seeks a declaration by the Supreme Court that the DVA breached its obligations of confidence owed to group members, as well as interest, and costs.
Sign Up for Updates
We encourage anyone who considers that they are, or may be, a group member to sign up with Gordon Legal via the following form, to follow the progress of the proceedings, and to be provided with timely updates. Signing up for updates is free, confidential, and without obligation.
Timeline
January 2004
26 April 2023
29 July 2023
10 August 2023
18 December 2023
05 February 2024
12 February 2024
October 2026
More Information?
The “Frequently Asked Questions” section below is very likely to have the information you need.
If you have a specific question that is not answered by the information contained on this website, please call us on (03) 9072 8691 or email us at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
VETERANS’ PRIVACY CLASS ACTION
What has happened?
On 2 October 2026 Gordon Legal commenced a class action proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria against the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). The proceeding is brought on behalf of any person who at any time between 2004 and February 2024 held a healthcare card issued by the DVA (Veteran Card), had their personal information collected in connection with the use of their Veteran Card, and whose information was disclosed by the DVA to the University of South Australia as part of the Veterans’ Medicines Advice and Therapeutics Education Services (MATES Program).
It alleges that their sensitive personal information, including medical histories, was shared by the DVA without their consent to the University of South Australia as part of the MATES Program. The MATES Program operated between 2004 and 2024. It was discontinued in February 2024 after ethics approval was withdrawn.
The class action seeks payment of compensation to group members for their loss caused by the DVA’s conduct in sharing their sensitive personal information without consent. It also seeks a declaration by the Supreme Court that the DVA breached its obligations of confidence owed to group members, as well as interest, and costs.
Am I part of the Class Action?
The class action will cover any person any person who at any time between 2004 and February 2024 held a healthcare card issued by the DVA (Veteran Card), had their personal information collected in connection with the use of their Veteran Card, and whose information was disclosed by the DVA to the University of South Australia as part of the Veterans’ Medicines Advice and Therapeutics Education Services (MATES Program).
We encourage anyone who considers that they are, or may be, a group member to sign up with Gordon Legal at gordonlegal.com.au/dva to follow the progress of the proceedings, and to be provided with timely updates. Signing up is free, confidential, and without obligation.
If you would like to speak to someone at Gordon Legal about the class action, please email us on [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call us on (03) 9072 8691.
What is the status of the Class Action?
As noted, on 2 October 2026 Gordon Legal filed the class action in the Supreme Court of Victoria. We intend to seek a trial date as soon as possible in this matter, likely in the first half of 2027. The timing of any trial will ultimately be a matter for the Court and subject to the Court’s availability.
When can I expect to hear back from Gordon Legal?
We will provide updates at each key development in the class action. We strongly encourage anyone who considers that they are or may be a group member to sign up with Gordon Legal at gordonlegal.com.au/dva to follow the progress of the class action and to be provided with regular updates. Signing up is free, confidential, and without obligation.
Do I have to prove anything or have any evidence to sign up for updates or to be a group member?
No. You do not need to prove anything to sign up for updates or to be a group member in the class action.
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