The Rule 30 Letter of Support: What Your Doctor's Letter Must Cover

The six things the letter must show

1. A clear diagnosis – specific conditions, e.g. a named ligament injury or a DSM-5 diagnosis. Not "bad back" or "stress".
2. The timeline – that each condition was present, symptomatic and restricting you at or just before discharge, with onset and first documentation.
3. Impact on military capacity – how symptoms stopped you meeting ADF fitness, duty and deployment standards, ideally with a requirement-by-requirement table.
4. Impact on civilian employability – limits on work suited to your skills at separation (leave the class itself to CSC's Rule 22 decision).
5. The evidence base – what was reviewed, and what was missing.
6. An opinion on discharge – on the balance of probabilities, would you have met the threshold for medical separation had the process been completed?

A structure your doctor can follow

1. Purpose and basis – discharge date, question, material relied on.
2. Diagnoses – onset, first documentation, any DVA acceptance.
3. Condition and severity at transition – dated quotes from records.
4. Employment restrictions – military, then civilian.
5. Opinion on medical separation.
6. Documents reviewed, including gaps.

Writing standards that survive scrutiny

• Quote, date and source every finding, separating what a clinician found from what you reported.
• State time intervals exactly – "ten months after discharge", not "soon after".
• Label opinion as opinion.
• Flag gaps rather than filling them.
• Address weak points like a MEC 1 or voluntary discharge – see MEC 1 and voluntary discharge.

Common mistakes

• A one-paragraph "unable to work" note.
• Relying on DVA impairment points as proof.
• Never mentioning the discharge date.
• Overstating severity without supporting records.
• Mixing the Rule 30 and Rule 22 questions.

Where the letter fits

The letter goes in with your A-RETRO application or in reply to a refusal. If CSC approves retrospective discharge but gives a class you dispute, you then need a Rule 22 classification report.

Frequently asked questions

Can my own GP write a Rule 30 letter?

Yes, if it covers the six elements and is anchored to your discharge date.

Is a DVA acceptance enough evidence?

No. CSC applies a different test and needs evidence of restriction at discharge.

What's the difference between Rule 30 and Rule 22?

Rule 30 decides whether you're treated as medically retired; Rule 22 decides your class.

Get a doctor-signed Letter of Support

VHC's Letter of Support is built from a full Chart Review and signed by the doctor. Call 0429 146 039 or visit CSC retrospective discharge.

General information only; CSC does not publish a mandatory template for doctors.