DVA Health Card
A DVA Health Card is issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) to eligible Australian veterans and their dependents. Depending on the card colour (Gold, White, or Orange), it provides access to fully funded or subsidised medical care, mental health services, and pharmaceuticals. The card you hold determines the extent of government-funded healthcare services and conditions you can access.
What are the types of DVA Health Cards?
The DVA issues three different cards based on your service history, health conditions, and eligibility under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA).
1. Veteran Gold Card (DVA Health Card – All conditions):
The Gold card is the most comprehensive DVA card. It covers clinically necessary treatment for all medical conditions in Australia, whether or not they are related to military service. Gold Card holders can access a wide range of healthcare services funded by the DVA, including:
- GP consultations, specialist visits, and referrals
- Dental and optical care
- Mental health treatment
- Allied health services
- Diagnostic imaging and pathology
- Medical aids, appliances, and mobility equipment
- Community nursing and home care support
- Treatment in public and private hospitals
Subsidised pharmaceuticals through the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS).
You may be eligible for the Gold Card if you:
- Have been assessed as having 60 or more impairment points under a Permanent Impairment (PI) claim.
- Receive the Special Rate Disability Pension (SRDP) or Temporary Special Rate payment.
- Are a war widow or widower
- Are 70 or older and have a qualifying veteran service
- Satisfy other criteria set out under DVA legislation
In most cases, eligible individuals automatically receive the Gold Card once they meet the required criteria. It provides coverage for both service-related and non-service-related conditions, making it the most extensive DVA health card.
2. Veteran White Card (DVA Health Card – specific conditions):
The White Card provides funded treatment only for accepted conditions connected to military service. This means coverage is limited to the specific injuries or illnesses that DVA has officially recognised as being linked to or aggravated by your military service. White Card holders are entitled to:
- Medical treatment and specialist care for their accepted conditions
- Subsidised pharmaceuticals under the RPBS (only for accepted conditions).
- Allied health services related to their accepted conditions
An important feature of the White Card is access to Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC). This means eligible holders can receive fully funded treatment for selected conditions without having to prove a connection to military service. These conditions include:
- Any mental health condition (for those who have completed at least one day of continuous full-time service, or CFTS, with the Australian Defence Force, ADF)
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Malignant neoplasm (cancer)
The White Card is issued after the DVA accepts an Initial Liability claim for a service-related condition. It may be available to:
- Current or former ADF members with a recognised service-related condition.
- Commonwealth veterans with a condition recognised by their country of enlistment.
- Former members under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, MRCA, with an accepted service-related condition.
3. Veteran Orange Card (DVA Health Card – pharmaceuticals only):
The Orange Card offers more limited benefits. It is mainly used for subsidised medicines and wound care products under the RPBS. It cannot be used for doctor visits or other healthcare services. Key features of the Orange Card include:
- Prescriptions are subsidised under the RPBS
- Once the annual Safety Net threshold is reached, eligible items are free for the remainder of that calendar year.
- Coverage includes prescriptions, medicines, wound care products, and approved nutritional supplements under the RPBS.
The orange Card is available to eligible Commonwealth and allied veterans of the Second World War (and First World War, where applicable) who are aged 70 or above, meet service requirements, and have resided in Australia for 10 years or more. The card only covers pharmaceuticals and cannot be used for other medical treatments.
What services does a DVA Health Card cover?
The range of services covered by a DVA Health Card depends on an individual’s eligibility and the card they hold.
1. GP and medical specialist services:
Eligible cardholders may access consultations with:
- General Practitioners
- Medical specialists
- Surgeons
- Mental health professionals
The Gold Card usually provides cover for all necessary medical treatment, while the White Card is limited to treatment for accepted conditions.
2. Hospital care: DVA may cover:
- Public hospital treatment
- Private hospital treatment
- Day surgery procedures
- Medical and surgical services
Gold Card holders can access these services for all medical conditions, whereas the White Card holders are covered only for approved conditions. DVA directly funds the hospital costs when treatment is provided at DVA-approved facilities.
3. Allied health services:
DVA-supported allied health services may include;
- Physiotherapy
- Psychology
- Dietetics
- Speech pathology
- Occupational therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Podiatry
Gold Card holders can receive allied health care without a GP care plan, while White Card holders can access allied health only for accepted conditions.
4. Mental health support:
Mental health care is an important benefit under DVA healthcare. Gold Card holders can access unlimited, fully funded mental health sessions without annual session limits. White Card holders can receive funded mental health care under NLHC provisions, without needing to prove a service connection for conditions like PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
5. Dental and optical:
Gold Card holders can receive funded dental care, including check-ups, fillings, extractions, dentures, and other dental procedures through DVA-registered dentists. Optical care, including contact lenses and glasses, is also covered. White Card holders can access these services only under accepted conditions, whereas Orange Card holders cannot.
6. Pharmaceuticals (RPBS):
The Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) gives eligible DVA cardholders access to subsidised medicines and may offer a broader range of medications than the standard PBS. Gold, White, and Orange Card holders all have access to RPBS medications within their approved coverage. After reaching the annual Safety Net threshold, co-payments are no longer required for the rest of the year.
7. Medical aids, appliances, and home support:
Gold Card holders may be eligible for medical aids and equipment through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP), including mobility equipment, hearing devices, prosthetics, and home-support products. Community nursing and Veterans’ Home care services also provide additional assistance at home.
Medical Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only.
