Veterans' Home Care Program
On this page:
- About Veterans' Home Care
- Eligibility for Veterans' Home Care
- Services offered under Veterans' Home Care
- How to access Veterans' Home Care services
- Transferring from Home & Community Care to Veterans' Home Care
- Your Questions answered
About Veterans' Home Care
Veterans' Home Care (VHC) is a Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) program that helps Australia’s veterans and war widows/widowers with low care needs to remain in their own homes for longer. VHC is not an entitlement-based program like most other veterans’ programs but a fixed budget program. It is similar to the Home and Community Care (HACC) program, and provides a wide range of home care services for eligible members of the veteran community. VHC is part of a broader DVA strategy to ensure veterans and war widows/widowers maintain optimal health, well being and independence.
VHC is part of a range of DVA services provided to eligible members of the veteran community. These include community nursing, allied health services, for example physiotherapy and podiatry, counselling services, transport for health care, home modifications and appliances through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) and the HomeFront falls and accident prevention program.
VHC services include:
- domestic assistance;
- personal care;
- safety-related home and garden maintenance; and
- respite care.
Access to VHC services is not automatic. If you are eligible, you must be assessed as needing home care assistance before receiving these services.
Veterans and war widows/widowers are asked to pay a small copayment for all services provided through VHC, except for respite care.
Eligibility for Veterans' Home Care
Who is eligible
Members of the veteran community are eligible to be assessed for VHC services if they are:
- a veteran of the Australian defence forces; or
- a war widow/widower of a veteran of the Australian defence forces;
and have
- a Repatriation Health Card - for All Conditions (Gold Card); or
- a Repatriation Health Card - for Specific Conditions (White Card).
Limited Eligibility
Services for veterans of Commonwealth and Allied forces
Commonwealth and Allied veterans who have a White Card are eligible to be assessed for respite care. They are not eligible for other VHC services, however, they can be assessed to receive similar services under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program.
Services for partners and carers
Partners and carers may receive respite care if they are caring for an eligible veteran or war widow/widower. They are not eligible for other VHC services unless they have their own Gold or White Card. However, the needs of the household are considered as part of the assessment process. Services have a flow-on benefit to partners and carers to assist them in their caring role.
Partners and carers are eligible to be assessed to receive similar services under the HACC program.
Who is not eligible
Services for veterans from other countries
Veterans from other countries are not eligible for VHC services through DVA. They can be assessed to receive similar services under the HACC program in the same way as any other Australian citizen.
Home Care & Support information
More information from the Home Care & Support page.
Services offered under Veterans' Home Care
VHC services are provided on the basis of assessed need and are delivered either by agencies contracted to DVA, or through arrangements with State and Territory governments.
In addition to the wide range of health services provided by DVA, the VHC program provides eligible members of the veteran community with access to the following services:
Domestic assistance
This includes assistance with domestic chores, such as household cleaning, dishwashing, bed making, clothes washing, ironing, shopping for the veteran and bill paying. Domestic assistance may include help with meal preparation if this service is not being provided separately. In rural and remote areas, domestic assistance may also include activities such as collecting firewood.
Domestic assistance is not to replace tasks veterans are capable of doing themselves. Active participation in domestic activities has been shown to have a beneficial health effect, even for the frail and very elderly.
More information on domestic assistance
Personal care
Personal care includes assistance with daily self-care tasks, such as eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, getting in and out of bed and moving about the house.
More information on personal care
Home and Garden Maintenance
The focus of home and garden maintenance is to minimise environmental health and safety hazards that impact on the veteran. To keep the home safe and habitable, it may involve minor maintenance or repair work, which may be carried out by a handyman, but that does not require a qualified tradesperson. Tasks may include changing light bulbs and tap washers, installing batteries in smoke alarms, gutter or window cleaning, general yard clean up where a safety hazard presents, clearing of debris following natural disasters, or other tasks within the approved hours of service and as agreed between the veteran and the service provider.
Home and garden maintenance does not include major repairs or services requiring a qualified tradesperson such as gutter replacement, major landscaping or garden tasks such as tree-felling or tree removal. Garden tasks such as branch lopping, lawn mowing and pruning, can only be undertaken if an environmental health or safety hazard exists. Routine, cosmetic or ornamental gardening services such as weeding, maintaining flower beds, regular lawn mowing, or pruning of roses are not available.
The maximum amount of home and garden maintenance is limited to 15 hours of service per financial year.
More information on home and garden maintenance
Respite Care
Respite care is designed to provide relief for a carer who has the responsibility for a person requiring ongoing care, attention or support and may be used in times of unavailability of the carer for any reason. It gives the regular carer a chance for some much needed rest and relaxation.
Respite care may be provided in different ways depending on the individual situation. Care may be provided:
- in-home;
- in an Australian Government-funded aged care home; or
- as emergency respite care in the home.
More information on respite care
Respite is also available in community-based day programs or facilities, such as Day Clubs. These programs are not funded directly by DVA. More information on Day Clubs
How to access Veterans' Home Care services
Access to VHC services is not automatic. If you are eligible, you must be assessed as needing home care assistance before receiving these services.
To access services, eligible veterans and war widows/widowers may:
- talk to their doctor or other health professional who can refer them to their regional assessment agency/coordinator; or
- contact their regional assessment agency/coordinator directly by phoning 1300 550 450^, for the cost of a local call.
^Calls from mobile phones cannot be connected to the correct/nearest office. Callers are advised to ring from a standard landline phone.
Transferring from Home and Community Care to Veterans' Home Care
Members of the veteran community who are receiving services from Home and Community Care (HACC) may choose to transfer to VHC or continue to receive services under HACC. Veterans and war widows/widowers who transfer to VHC will have their need for services assessed and VHC copayments will apply.
Veterans' Home Care - your questions answered
About Veterans' Home Care
Q 1. What is Veterans' Home Care?
A. Veterans' Home Care is a program that provides low level home care services to eligible veterans and war widows/widowers in their own homes. It is part of a broader Department of Veterans’ Affairs strategy to ensure veterans and war widows/widowers maintain optimal health, well being and independence.
Q 2. What services are available under the program?
A. Veterans' Home Care provides home care services such as domestic assistance, personal care, safety-related home and garden maintenance and respite care.
VHC is part of a range of Department of Veterans’ Affairs services provided to eligible members of the veteran community. These include community nursing, allied health services, for example physiotherapy and podiatry, counselling services, transport to health care, the supply of aids and appliances, home modifications and appliances through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) and the HomeFront falls and accident prevention program.
Eligible veterans and war widows/widowers may also access other services provided under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program, including social support, transport services and delivered meals, eg. Meals on Wheels.
Q 3. Why should I use Veterans' Home Care?
A. Through Veterans' Home Care, the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) can provide you with access to a range of coordinated services designed to meet low level home support needs.
Veterans' Home Care can also refer you to other services if and when you need them. Coordinating services for you this way will mean that DVA can better meet all of your health care needs.
Eligibility
Q 4. Who is eligible for Veterans' Home Care?
A. Members of the veteran community are eligible to be assessed for Veterans’ Home Care services if they are:
- a veteran of the Australian defence forces; or
- a war widow/widower of a veteran of the Australian defence forces;
and have
- a Repatriation Health Card - for All Conditions (Gold Card); or
- a Repatriation Health Card - for Specific Conditions (White Card).
Commonwealth and Allied veterans who have a White Card are eligible to be assessed for respite care.
Partners and carers may receive respite care if they are caring for an eligible veteran or war widow/widower.
Veterans' Home Care is not an entitlement. Rather, services provided will depend on a professional assessment of your needs and availability of services.
Q 5. Can Commonwealth and Allied veterans use Veterans' Home Care?
A. Commonwealth and Allied veterans who have a White Card are eligible to be assessed for respite care. They are not eligible for other Veterans’ Home Care services, however, they can be assessed to receive similar services under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program.
Q 6. I'm a carer - what's in it for me?
A. Although carers are not eligible for Veterans' Home Care services in their own right, you may receive respite care if you care for an eligible veteran or war widow/widower.
Carers are eligible to be assessed to receive similar services under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program and the Australian Government National Respite for Carers Program.
Q 7. I'm the partner of a card-holder. Are these services available to me?
A. Although partners are not eligible to receive Veterans' Home Care services in their own right, you may receive respite care if you care for an eligible veteran or war widow/widower.
Partners are eligible to be assessed to receive similar services under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program.
Availability
Q 8. Is Veterans' Home Care available throughout Australia?
A. Yes. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has contracted Veterans' Home Care Assessment, Coordination and Service Provider Agencies in 54 regions throughout Australia to undertake assessments and provide services.
Assessment
Q 9. How can I arrange for an assessment for Veterans' Home Care?
A. Your doctor or other health professional can refer you to your regional Veterans' Home Care Assessment Agency, or you can ring the Agency yourself on 1300 550 450. The Agency will assess your needs and, depending on the outcome of the assessment, arrange for services to be provided by an appropriate service provider.
Provision of Veterans' Home Care Services
Q 10. Who provides Veterans' Home Care services?
A. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has contracted authorised service providers to deliver Veterans' Home Care services across the country. A number of these contracted Veterans' Home Care service providers also provide home care services under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program.
Q 11. What if I am not satisfied with the services I am getting?
A. If you have any problems with the services you receive you should talk to your Veterans' Home Care service provider or your Veterans' Home Care Assessment Agency to try to resolve the problems. Your Agency can give you advice on how to handle difficult situations.
If you feel you can't do this, or you are not satisfied with the outcome, contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs office in your State.
What it costs
Q 12. Is Veterans' Home Care free?
A. No. To ensure that services are available to those who need them, veterans and war widows/widowers are expected to pay a small copayment to service providers to assist with the cost of providing services.
Q 13. What fees will I have to pay?
A. The following copayments apply:
- Personal care - $5 per hour to a maximum of $10 per week (if more than one hour of care is provided)
- Domestic assistance - $5 per hour to a maximum of $5 per week
- Home and garden maintenance - $5 per hour for each hour of service
- Respite care - there is no copayment for respite care
Other services such as delivered meals, community transport, centre based respite and social support (which are provided through arrangements with State and Territory governments) may be subject to additional separate copayment arrangements.
HACC recipients
Q 14. What if I am already receiving HACC assistance?
A. Veterans and war widows/widowers receiving support through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program may transfer to Veterans' Home Care or remain with HACC.
If your HACC service provider is not a Veterans' Home Care provider, he/she, with your consent, can pass your details to the Veterans' Home Care Assessment Agency. If you choose to transfer to Veterans' Home Care, the Agency will arrange for you to be assessed for services.
Please note: Not all services provided by HACC are available under Veterans’ Home Care, so consideration will need to be given to this if considering a transfer.
Care level reviews
Q 15. What will happen if my care needs change?
A. If you feel your needs have changed since your initial Veterans' Home Care assessment or review assessment you should contact your Veterans' Home Care Assessment Agency. The Agency will discuss your care needs with you and ensure you are getting the appropriate assistance.
If your needs have changed, for example, because you are going away on holiday or into hospital, or your health has improved, please contact your Veterans’ Home Care Service Provider or Veterans’ Home Care Assessment Agency to let them know.
Q 16. When, or how often, will my care needs be reviewed?
A. Generally your needs will be reassessed every six to nine months. Where short-term higher level services have been approved, for instance following discharge from hospital, these would be reviewed after six to eight weeks.
Veterans' Home Care contacts
Q 17. Where can I get more information?
A. If you need more information about Veterans' Home Care, contact your nearest Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) office and ask for Veterans' Home Care. You can telephone DVA for the cost of a local call* on:
- 133 254 – general inquiries
- 1800 555 254 – non-metropolitan callers
All DVA fact sheets are available on request from any DVA office or at www.dva.gov.au/factsheets/default.htm
For more information about Veterans’ Home Care:
- visit the Veterans’ Home Care page of the DVA at www.dva.gov.au/health/homecare/mainvhc.htm
- visit the Health page of the DVA web site at www.dva.gov.au/health/mainhe.htm
- email: homecare@dva.gov.au
- call any Veterans' Affairs Network (VAN) office on 1300 55 1918^. Details are at www.dva.gov.au/contacts/van.htm
- contact a regional Veterans’ Home Care Assessment Agency directly by phoning 1300 550 450 ^
Note:
- *If you use a mobile phone, calls may be more costly. You are advised to use a standard landline phone when ringing these numbers.
- ^Calls from mobile phones cannot be connected to the correct/nearest office. Callers are advised to ring from a standard landline phone.