DVA Health Cards
- Accessing Healthcare and Support Through DVA.
Accessing Healthcare and Support Through DVA
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provides a range of health cards that help eligible veterans and their families access funded healthcare, treatment, medications, and support services. The type of card you receive depends on your service history, accepted conditions, and individual circumstances. [dva.gov.au], [dva.gov.au]
Veterans Support Group Queensland can help you understand your eligibility, apply for a health card, and access the treatment and support available to you.
Specific Conditions
White Card
The Veteran White Card provides access to treatment and healthcare services for accepted service-related injuries, illnesses, and conditions. [dva.gov.au]
Depending on your service history, a White Card may also provide treatment under Non-Liability Health Care arrangements, meaning you do not need to establish that your military service caused the condition before receiving treatment. [dva.gov.au]
Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC)
Eligible current and former ADF members may receive funded treatment for:
- All mental health conditions
- Malignant cancer (all forms of cancer)
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
without needing the condition to be accepted as service-related. [dva.gov.au]
Recent legislative changes have also expanded access to healthcare under the single military compensation framework, making it easier for eligible veterans to access treatment and support earlier in the claims process. Veterans should seek advice regarding their eligibility under the latest arrangements. [dva.gov.au]
Who May Be Eligible?
You may qualify for a White Card if you:
- Have an accepted service-related condition.
- Are eligible for Non-Liability Health Care.
- Are a former ADF member, reservist, cadet, or certain current serving members with accepted conditions.
- Are covered under reciprocal arrangements with allied nations. [dva.gov.au]
Access the Factsheet
Factsheet HSV61 - DVA Health Card - Specific Conditions (White)
Pharmaceutical Only
Orange Card
The Veteran Orange Card provides access to subsidised prescription medications, wound care items, and nutritional supplements through the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS). [dva.gov.au]
The Orange Card does not provide access to medical treatment or healthcare services. It is generally issued to eligible Commonwealth and Allied veterans from the Second World War. [dva.gov.au]
All Conditions
Gold Card
The Veteran Gold Card provides the broadest level of healthcare support available through DVA. It covers clinically necessary treatment and healthcare services for all medical conditions, whether they are related to military service or not. [dva.gov.au]
A Gold Card may provide access to:
- General Practitioner (GP) visits
- Specialist medical treatment
- Hospital treatment
- Allied health services
- Community nursing
- Mental health treatment
- Rehabilitation services
- Prescription medications through the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) [dva.gov.au]
Gold Cards are generally issued to veterans and dependants who meet specific eligibility criteria established by DVA. [dva.gov.au]
Access the Factsheets
Factsheet HSV59 - Eligibility for the DVA Health Card All Conditions (Gold) or Totally & Permanently Incapacitated (Gold)
Factsheet HSV60 - Using the DVA Health Card - All Conditions (Gold) or DVA Health Card Totally & Permanently Incapacitated (Gold)