Convalescent care
Convalescent care for DVA clients. If you are a provider you can visit our convalescent care for providers page.
The veteran’s guide to living independently booklet has been developed to help you understand the services and supports available. You can view this online or order a hardcopy to be delivered to your home, from the aged care resources page of the website.
Nominating a representative
You may choose to authorise someone to be your nominated representative when dealing with us. A nominated representative can be a partner, adult relative, trustee, agent, legal representative or organisation. You can set up a nominated representative using MyService or by completing this form - Appointing a third party to represent a DVA client. For more information visit the nominated representative webpage.
Please note that this form only authorises representation with DVA. Other government departments or services may require you to create other arrangements. Information on representation arrangements for other departments can be found on the Help accessing aged care services page.
Back to topWhat is convalescent care
Short-term care which is medically necessary for recovery following a stay in hospital.
Back to topWho is eligible?
We will cover the cost of convalescent care for any condition if you have a Veteran Gold Card.
If you have a Veteran White Card, we will cover the cost of convalescent care if we paid for the original hospital admission.
Back to topWhere you can receive care
Care is available in a range of settings such as:
- Public or private hospitals
- Multi-purpose services
- Government-funded aged care homes
- Supported residential services in Victoria
- Other suitable institutions
Convalescent care cannot be provided in your home.
Hospitals
Convalescent care should generally be provided in an approved residential aged care home and should only be provided in hospital when a suitable residential care facility is not available.
You do not need prior approval for care in a public or contracted private hospital.
Non-hospital institutions
You need prior approval from us for care in:
- an Australian Government funded aged care home
- a supported residential service
- other institutions
We will pay for up to 21 nights of care in a financial year in a non-hospital institution.
Multi-purpose services Program
Convalescent care is also available in the Multi-Purpose Services Program (MPSP). MPSP provide integrated health and aged care services in small communities in regional and remote areas.
Arrangements for care provided in an aged care bed in a MPSP are the same as for other non-hospital institutions.
Arrangements for care in a hospital bed in a MPSP are the same as for care in other hospitals.
Back to topHow you access
To access convalescent care, talk to:
- a hospital discharge planner
- your treating doctor
- a social worker
- a nurse
They will contact us if prior approval for the cost of care is required.
Back to topThings you should know
- Residential respite care is a different service to convalescent care.
- Commonwealth funding for residential respite care cannot be used to pay for convalescent care services.
- DVA will not approve your convalescent care in a residential aged care home where long-term, serious non-compliance is present, or where serious risk to your health, safety and well-being has been identified.
- Please refer to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's website for further information.
What to tell us
You should tell us if you:
- receive a bill for convalescent care; or
- take up more permanent care arrangements, such as residential aged care or palliative care