How Long Does a DVA Psychiatric Assessment Take? | Full Guide
One of the most common questions veterans have when preparing for a DVA psychiatric assessment is: how long will it take? Understanding the time commitment helps you prepare properly and ensures you can give the assessment the attention it deserves.
This article explains the typical duration of a DVA psychiatric assessment, what factors can affect the length, and how to plan for your appointment.
Quick Answer: A DVA psychiatric assessment typically takes 2-3 hours for the clinical consultation, depending on case complexity. Mandatory psychometric testing is administered and analysed in addition to this consultation time.
Understanding the Assessment Duration
A thorough DVA psychiatric assessment cannot be rushed. The psychiatrist needs sufficient time to understand your complete history, evaluate your current symptoms, and gather the information required to produce a comprehensive report for DVA.
The assessment consists of two main components:
1. Clinical Consultation (2-3 hours)
The face-to-face (or Telehealth) consultation with the psychiatrist typically takes 2-3 hours. This includes:
- Detailed history-taking: Personal background, family history, education, and relationships
- Service history review: Your ADF service, deployments, roles, and significant events
- Symptom assessment: Current and historical mental health symptoms
- Functional impact evaluation: How your condition affects daily life, work, and relationships
- Mental state examination: Formal clinical assessment of your current mental state
2. Psychometric Testing (Additional Time)
All DVA psychiatric assessments require mandatory psychometric testing. These standardised questionnaires measure symptoms of conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Psychometric testing may be:
- Completed online before your appointment
- Administered during the consultation
- A combination of both
The time required for psychometric testing varies depending on the number of questionnaires needed for your particular case.
Factors That Affect Assessment Duration
Several factors can influence how long your assessment takes:
Case Complexity
If you have multiple conditions being assessed, or a complex service history with numerous deployments, the psychiatrist will need more time to conduct a thorough evaluation.
Number of Conditions
Assessing a single condition like depression may take less time than evaluating multiple concurrent conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder.
Length of Service
Veterans with longer service careers and multiple deployments typically have more history to discuss, which can extend the assessment duration.
Type of Report Required
Initial liability assessments may differ in scope from permanent impairment assessments or Veterans Review Board reports, affecting the time required.
Report Turnaround Time
After your assessment, the psychiatrist prepares a comprehensive report incorporating the clinical findings and psychometric data. This report is then submitted directly to DVA.
Report turnaround times vary by provider. Some providers complete reports within approximately two weeks of the assessment, while others may take longer.
Appointment Availability and Wait Times
Wait times to secure an appointment can vary significantly between providers. The 2022 Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide highlighted claims backlogs as a significant issue affecting veterans.
When choosing a provider, consider asking about:
- Current appointment availability
- Typical wait times for new assessments
- Expected report turnaround time
- Telehealth options for faster access
How to Prepare for a Lengthy Assessment
Given the 2-3 hour duration, proper preparation is important:
- Schedule appropriately: Allow the full 2-3 hours plus buffer time. Don’t schedule other commitments immediately after.
- Rest beforehand: Get adequate sleep the night before to ensure you can focus during the assessment.
- Eat and hydrate: Have a meal before your appointment. Bring water if attending in person.
- Gather documents: Have your DVA request letter, ID, and any relevant medical records ready.
- Arrange support: If you’d like a support person present, make arrangements in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take breaks during the assessment?
Yes. If you need a break at any point, you can request one. The psychiatrist understands that discussing difficult experiences can be tiring.
Is the assessment done in one session or multiple sessions?
DVA psychiatric assessments are typically conducted in a single session. The 2-3 hour duration allows for a comprehensive evaluation in one appointment.
Is a Telehealth assessment shorter than in-person?
No. Telehealth assessments follow the same professional standards and typically take the same amount of time as in-person evaluations.
What if I can't complete the assessment in one sitting?
In rare cases where an assessment cannot be completed in one session, the psychiatrist may schedule a follow-up. Discuss any concerns with your provider beforehand.
Book with March Ahead
March Ahead offers comprehensive DVA psychiatric assessments with no waitlist. Our assessments include mandatory psychometric testing, and reports are typically completed within two weeks.
Related Resources
- Related: What is a DVA Psychiatric Assessment?
- Related: DVA Compensation Claims Process
- Service page: DVA Psychiatric Assessments