DVA Community Nursing
About DVA Community Nursing
DVA Community Nursing funds clinical nursing care at home for eligible veterans and war widows and widowers who hold a DVA Gold Card, or a White Card for accepted conditions. It covers things like medication management and wound care, delivered by a DVA-contracted nursing provider.
It is a clinical service, separate from broader home-support programs. It is generally arranged through a referral, commonly from a GP, rather than organised directly with a nursing provider. Eligibility and referral steps are specific to DVA, so the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (1800 838 372) is the source for confirming them for a particular person.
At a glance
- In-home clinical nursing for eligible veterans and war widows or widowers.
- Gold Card, or White Card for accepted conditions.
- Examples: medication management and wound care.
- Generally arranged by referral, commonly from a GP.
This is general information, not financial or funding advice. Program names, amounts and eligibility rules change over time. Always confirm current detail with the relevant official body before relying on it.
How to prepare before arranging support
- Check that you hold a DVA Gold Card, or a White Card for accepted conditions.
- Ask a GP for a referral.
- Confirm eligibility and referral steps with DVA on 1800 838 372.
- Expect the nursing to be delivered by a DVA-contracted nursing provider.
Information and records to have ready
- DVA card details and accepted-condition information
- Referral, assessment or prior-approval documents
- Treatment or support plan and relevant clinical instructions
- Provider quotes, service records and DVA correspondence
Questions to ask a provider
- Are you authorised or contracted for this DVA program?
- Is a referral or prior approval required before the first service?
- Will you bill DVA directly, and could the veteran have an out-of-pocket cost?
- How do you coordinate with treating professionals or a DVA case manager?
- What happens if DVA changes or declines the approval?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming every card covers the same services
- Booking before referral or approval requirements are met
- Using a provider that cannot bill the relevant DVA program
- Treating disability registration as proof of DVA eligibility
Frequently asked questions
Who can get DVA Community Nursing?
Eligible veterans and war widows and widowers who hold a DVA Gold Card, or a White Card for accepted conditions. It is generally arranged by referral, commonly from a GP.
Who can confirm what DVA Community Nursing means for me?
Ask the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. A provider can explain its services and billing, but it cannot make a binding funding decision for the responsible body.
Does a provider listing prove it accepts dva community nursing?
No. A directory or public-register listing describes a provider and the supports it lists. Confirm the funding arrangement, approval and current availability with the provider before booking.
What if the rules or my circumstances change?
Check the current guidance with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, tell your providers promptly and update written agreements or approvals before relying on the changed arrangement.
Official sources
Other Veterans topics
Browse providers or explore other funding topics.
Helpful reading
- NDIS jargon explained: the terms you will hear and what they mean: Plans, supports, coordinators, managers, registered providers: a plain-language glossary of the words that come up most often.
- NDIS or My Aged Care: which system supports you?: Two government systems support people with disability and older people. Here is how to think about which one applies and what to do if you are not sure.
- Keeping records of your NDIS supports: a simple system: Good records make plan reviews, claim queries and changes of provider far easier. Here is a light-touch way to keep them.