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If you've served in the Australian Defence Force, you've earned access to a wide range of veterans support programs designed to help you thrive after service. But knowing what's available and how to access it are two very different things. This guide breaks down the programs that matter most and shows you how to access the entitlements you deserve.
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Veterans support programs cover a broad network of government-funded services that help current and former ADF members:
These programs sit under the Department of Veterans' Affairs and are delivered in partnership with:
According to DVA's veteran support system overview, Australia dedicates $12.8 billion annually through the Department to provide support to veterans and families. In 2023–24, DVA provided $8.3 billion in direct support, and nearly 200,000 clients received healthcare and support services.
DVA delivers these services through 19 dedicated Veterans' Access Network offices and 318 Services Australia service centres across the country. Over 99% of health services are provided through your GP, with DVA simply paying the bill once you hold the right card. That means access to care is straightforward once you've established your entitlements.
As at June 2024, 352,077 veterans and veteran family members had accessed DVA for various types of support. But with the 2021 Census finding that 581,000 Australians have served or were serving in the ADF, a significant number of veterans are still missing out on the entitlements available to them.
Eligibility depends on the specific program. Some services, like Non-Liability Health Care for mental health conditions, are available to anyone who has served a single day of continuous full-time service. Others, like comprehensive Gold Card healthcare coverage, require you to meet specific impairment point thresholds through a DVA claim.
Reservists who have rendered border protection or disaster relief service, or been involved in or witnessed a serious training accident, may also qualify for certain support. The key is understanding which programs apply to your service history and how to access them properly.
Healthcare forms the foundation of veterans support programs. According to the AIHW’s Health expenditure Australia 2023–24 report, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs spent $3.2 billion on health in 2023–24, mostly on hospitals ($1.2 billion), primary health care ($900 million) and referred medical services ($700 million).
Your level of healthcare access depends on which DVA card you hold. The Gold Card provides comprehensive coverage for all clinically necessary medical treatment, regardless of whether the condition is linked to your service. To qualify, you need to reach 60 or more MRCA impairment points, receive SRDP or TPI classification, or meet age-based criteria.
The White Card covers treatment for accepted service-related conditions only. As at 2023–24, DVA had issued approximately 103,000 Gold Cards and 188,000 White Cards to eligible veterans. Our Gold and White Cards service page explains the eligibility requirements and what each card covers in detail.
Both cards give you access to:
A GP referral is mandatory for most DVA-funded services.
One of the most valuable veterans support programs is Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC). This program provides fully funded mental health treatment without requiring you to prove your condition was caused by military service. If you've served a single day of continuous full-time service, you can access treatment for conditions including:
NLHC gives you a Veteran White Card specifically for mental health treatment, which means you can start getting help while your broader DVA claim is being processed. This is a significant advantage, because DVA claims can take 12 months or longer depending on the complexity of your conditions.
Mental health support is a cornerstone of veterans support programs in Australia. The Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025–2030, jointly developed by Defence and DVA, sets out the national approach to supporting mental health from recruitment through to post-service life.
Open Arms is a nationally accredited mental health service that provides free, confidential, 24-hour counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, along with their immediate families. You can self-refer by calling at any time.
In 2023–24, Open Arms provided more than 300,000 services for 42,445 veterans and family members. The service offers individual, couple, and family counselling, along with group programs like Stepping Out, which helps ADF members and their families plan for and adapt to life after service. Open Arms also delivers programs focused on:
For a broader look at the mental health services available to you, our guide to veterans' mental health services covers DVA-funded psychological services, evidence-based treatments, and access pathways in detail.
Launched in September 2025 by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, this joint strategy between Defence and DVA sets out six goals to improve mental health outcomes across the veteran community. The strategy prioritises:
The strategy complements the Defence and Veteran Family Wellbeing Strategy and the Veteran Transition Strategy, creating a coordinated framework that addresses mental health at every stage of a veteran's life. It was developed through extensive stakeholder consultation, including a public consultation process in early 2025.
The latest data from the AIHW’s eighth annual update on suicide among serving and ex-serving ADF members highlights why this strategy matters. Ex-serving males are around 25% more likely to die by suicide than all Australian males, and ex-serving females face nearly twice the risk compared to all Australian females. These statistics reinforce the urgency of getting the right support early.
The Mental Health Protect program, funded by DVA and delivered in partnership with specialist training providers, offers fully funded mental health and suicide-prevention training to help the Defence and veteran community recognise signs of distress and respond early.
Leaving the ADF is not just about leaving a job, it's leaving a way of life. Building new connections, finding purpose, and establishing a civilian career can be challenging without the right support. DVA offers several programs to help with this transition.
The Veteran Employment Program (VEP) helps veterans move into civilian employment and assists Australian organisations in creating work environments that bring out the best in veteran employees. The program includes a Veteran Employment Toolkit with resources for:
For veterans looking to join the public service, the VetPaths program offers a six-month pathway into the Australian Public Service. Run by DVA, VetPaths provides:
In the 2025–26 Federal Budget, the Australian Government allocated $47.6 million to increase DVA’s service delivery capacity, including funding for up to 120 additional service delivery staff across key frontline teams. A further $11.9 million in 2025–26 supports key health and wellbeing programs for veterans and families, including continued funding for the Veteran Employment Program. Together, these measures show a continued government focus on helping veterans succeed after service.
Our guide to transitioning from military to civilian life covers the practical steps you can take to prepare for this change, including how DVA entitlements and support services can help you through your transition.
Veterans' and Families' Hubs provide a central access point to local services, bringing together:
According to DVA's support system overview, 10 hubs are currently operational, with a further seven being established as part of a nationwide network of 17 hubs.
These hubs are open to all current and former serving ADF members, including reservists and their families. They work in partnership with:
These partnerships help deliver integrated support tailored to local needs.
Stable housing is fundamental to a veteran's wellbeing, yet many face barriers when transitioning to civilian life. Housing stability can be affected by:
In February 2025, DVA announced 13 grants totalling $30 million under the Veterans' Acute Housing Program, awarded to 10 ex-service organisations and veteran-aware community housing providers. This funding, partly drawn from the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, includes $24 million for capital works to expand crisis and transitional housing stock, and $6 million for specialist services addressing the root causes of veteran homelessness.
This investment recognises the scale of the challenge. Each year, approximately 6,000 veterans are at risk of homelessness in Australia, and on census night in 2021, about 1,500 veterans were listed as homeless. Veterans are disproportionately affected compared to the general population, often due to the intersection of:
For more information on DVA housing assistance, including:
See our detailed guide to veterans housing programs.
If you receive one of the following DVA income support payments, you may be eligible for Rent Assistance as an extra fortnightly payment to help with private rental costs:
The exact thresholds and maximum rates change over time, so it’s important to check the current rates or speak with a DVA claim specialist about your situation. For a breakdown of how Rent Assistance works and how it interacts with your DVA payments, see our detailed guide to DVA Rent Assistance.
Defence Service Home (DSH) loans provide low-interest, government-backed finance for eligible veterans who want to buy or build a home to live in. You’ll need a Certificate of Entitlement from DVA to access this program. These supports work alongside your DVA entitlements to support your stability, housing security and overall wellbeing during and after transition.
Many of the veterans support programs outlined above are tied to your DVA entitlements. The card you hold, the impairment points you've been assessed at, and the conditions DVA has accepted all determine which programs you can access. That's why getting your DVA claim right from the start matters so much.
Under MRCA, you must reach a minimum of 10 impairment points to qualify for permanent impairment compensation. Reaching 60 or more impairment points makes you eligible for the Gold Card, which opens up the broadest range of healthcare and support services available through DVA.
Our permanent impairment claims service helps you understand how impairment points are calculated, what conditions can be combined, and how to approach the assessment process so your service-related conditions are properly recognised. For a full overview of the claims you can lodge, our DVA claims services page outlines everything from initial liability through to permanent impairment.
The DVA system is complex. Claims can take 12 months or longer, documentation requirements are detailed, and mistakes early in the process can affect your entitlements or delay your access to support programs.
Veterans First Consulting is an independent, paid advocacy service that works for you, not DVA. We have helped over 9,000 veterans secure the entitlements they deserve. Our team includes professionals with ex-DVA delegate experience who understand exactly how claims are assessed and what evidence makes the difference.
If you're unsure where to start, or you've been struggling with a claim on your own, contact Veterans First Consulting today to discuss your situation. We support your MRCA claim from start to finish, with zero upfront fees. For a complete breakdown of the benefits available to you as a veteran, start with our comprehensive guide and take the first step toward accessing the support you've earned.
Veterans support programs exist because Australia recognises the sacrifices you've made. From healthcare and mental health services to employment pathways and housing assistance, these programs are designed to help you build a strong civilian life. Contact Veterans First Consulting today to assess your DVA claim options and connect with the support programs that matter most to your situation.
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