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Let us introduce ourselves, Welcome to

MARCH AHEAD

Our Standards

March Ahead maintains a 100% compliance record with DVA reporting standards. Since our establishment, we have zero regulatory concerns or adverse findings from DVA, AHPRA, or any regulatory body. All March Ahead reports are prepared in accordance with RANZCP guidelines and DVA requirements, including mandatory psychometric testing and comprehensive clinical documentation.

Our Independence

March Ahead operates with complete independence from advocacy groups, claims agents, and third-party organisations. We do not accept referral fees or engage in commercial referral arrangements with any third party. We have no kickback arrangements or commission-based referral schemes. This strict independence ensures our psychiatric assessments are objective and free from external influence, veterans can trust that our reports represent accurate clinical findings without financial bias.

Our Credentials

March Ahead is fully AHPRA registered with complete regulatory and ethical compliance. All our psychiatrists are Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) and maintain current medical registration. Our clinicians have extensive experience in veteran mental health, trauma-related disorders, and medico-legal psychiatric assessment.

Standards team

Our Mission

"To deliver professional, impartial, and DVA-compliant psychiatric assessments for Australian veterans, ensuring they receive the support and recognition they deserve."

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Our Values

Dedication

Committed to the well-being of Australian veterans with professional services

Expertise

Leveraging years of specialized experience in veteran mental health

Impartiality

Delivering unbiased psychiatric reports for fair outcomes

Accessibility

Ensuring every Australian veteran can access our services globally

Compliance & Trust FAQs

Our commitment to DVA standards, independence, and ethical reporting.

Does March Ahead have a clean compliance record with DVA?

Yes. March Ahead has maintained a 100% compliance record with the Department of Veterans' Affairs since establishment. We have never received a compliance notice, adverse finding, or regulatory concern regarding our psychiatric reporting services. All assessments include mandatory psychometric testing and are prepared in strict accordance with DVA guidelines and RANZCP standards.

Are March Ahead's psychiatric reports compliant with DVA requirements?

Yes, all March Ahead psychiatric reports are prepared in strict accordance with DVA guidelines and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) standards. Our psychiatrists follow the established protocols for diagnostic assessment and report writing, ensuring every report meets the evidentiary requirements for DVA compensation claims. March Ahead maintains a 100% compliance record with DVA reporting standards.

How does March Ahead ensure report quality and compliance?

March Ahead maintains rigorous quality assurance processes for all psychiatric reports. Every assessment follows RANZCP clinical guidelines, and reports are reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and DVA compliance before submission. Our psychiatrists receive ongoing training in DVA requirements and medico-legal report standards. This commitment to quality has resulted in zero compliance issues since our establishment.

Is March Ahead registered and accredited?

Yes, March Ahead operates under full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). All our psychiatrists are Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) and maintain current medical registration. We adhere to all regulatory requirements for medical practice in Australia and have maintained an unblemished compliance record with both AHPRA and DVA.

How can I be confident my DVA report will be accepted?

March Ahead has established a strong track record of producing DVA-compliant psychiatric reports that meet all evidentiary requirements. Our psychiatrists are experienced in medico-legal reporting and understand precisely what DVA delegates require. We follow strict internal quality processes and have never received a compliance concern from DVA. You can be confident your report will meet the standards required for your claim.

What is March Ahead's track record with DVA?

March Ahead has maintained an exemplary relationship with the Department of Veterans' Affairs since establishment. We have a 100% compliance record with no regulatory concerns, complaints, or adverse findings. Our reports consistently meet DVA's quality and evidentiary standards, and we pride ourselves on ethical, transparent practices that put veterans' interests first.

Does March Ahead work with veteran advocacy groups or claims agents?

March Ahead operates independently and does not engage in referral arrangements with advocacy groups, claims agents, or third-party organisations. We work directly with veterans and DVA to ensure complete transparency and independence. Any collaboration with external organisations is conducted strictly within professional and regulatory guidelines, with no commercial referral arrangements that could compromise the independence of our assessments.

How does March Ahead maintain independence in its assessments?

Independence is fundamental to our practice. March Ahead does not accept referral fees, commissions, or enter into commercial arrangements with claims advocates, legal firms, or referral networks. Our psychiatrists conduct objective assessments based solely on clinical findings, free from any external influence. This strict independence ensures our reports meet the highest ethical and professional standards required by DVA and AHPRA.

What ethical standards does March Ahead follow?

March Ahead adheres to the strictest ethical and regulatory standards in all business operations. We operate in full compliance with AHPRA regulations, RANZCP guidelines, and DVA requirements. We do not engage in any referral schemes, kickback arrangements, or commercial partnerships that could compromise clinical independence. Our commitment to ethical practice means veterans can trust that their assessment is conducted with complete objectivity and integrity.

Clinical Team

Associate Professor Charana Perera

Associate Professor Charana Perera

MBBS.FRANZCP

Founder, Consultant Psychiatrist, Clinical Director

Dr Charana Perera is a Consultant Psychiatrist and the Founder of March Ahead, a specialist service providing independent psychiatric assessments for veterans. He is committed to clinical excellence and impartiality, delivering objective, evidence-based evaluations for Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) claims and medico-legal reporting. Dr Perera has five years of specialist experience in general adult psychiatry, with particular expertise in trauma-related disorders, veterans' mental health, and medico-legal assessments. His background also includes perinatal and women's mental health, contributing to a broad and nuanced understanding of psychiatric presentations across diverse populations. At March Ahead, he conducts independent psychiatric evaluations for veterans and ensures all assessments meet the highest professional and ethical standards in accordance with AHPRA, RANZCP, and DVA requirements. He leads a team of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, maintaining a rigorous and impartial assessment process focused on accuracy and integrity. Dr Perera remains actively involved in professional education and veteran-focused initiatives, contributing to peer discussions, medico-legal training, and collaborative work aimed at strengthening the quality of psychiatric assessments within the veteran mental health sector.

Management Team

Laura Bowen

Laura Bowen

Executive Support Coordinator

Laura is the Executive Support Coordinator at March Ahead, bringing over a decade of experience in administration, executive support, and virtual assistance across healthcare, legal, and corporate settings. Highly organised and detail-oriented, she is adept at streamlining processes, managing complex schedules, coordinating communications, and ensuring seamless operational efficiency. Her ability to multitask and maintain meticulous attention to detail makes her an invaluable asset to the team. Laura's extensive experience in healthcare administration has equipped her with the skills to liaise effectively with clinicians, patients, and stakeholders. She is a highly skilled communicator who fosters strong professional relationships while ensuring that all client interactions are handled with efficiency and discretion. Her ability to anticipate needs and proactively address challenges ensures the smooth operation of March Ahead's daily functions. With a background in psychological sciences and a diploma in professional writing and editing, Laura brings a unique blend of analytical thinking, structured organisation, and strong written communication skills to her role. She is passionate about delivering high-quality administrative support and is committed to optimising workflow, enhancing efficiency, and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Outside of work, Laura enjoys reading, writing, and exploring developments in psychology and mental health. Her dedication to excellence, reliability, and strong work ethic make her an integral part of the March Ahead team, ensuring the organisation operates seamlessly and efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions