DVA Veterans Home Visit Physiotherapy
If you hold a DVA Gold or White Card, you may be eligible for home visit physiotherapy at no out-of-pocket cost. Here is how the system works.
How DVA-Funded Physiotherapy Works
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) funds physiotherapy for eligible veterans and their dependants through the DVA card system. If you hold a DVA Gold Card or White Card, you can access physiotherapy services, including home visits, at no out-of-pocket cost.
DVA pays the physiotherapy provider directly at DVA-scheduled rates. You do not receive a bill for the treatment. The only thing you need is a valid DVA card and a referral from your GP - known as a D904 referral form.
This funding covers mobile physiotherapy delivered in your home, retirement village, or aged care facility. You do not need to travel to a clinic, which is particularly important for veterans who have mobility difficulties or live in areas where getting to a clinic is not straightforward.
Gold Card vs White Card: What Is Covered?
The level of coverage depends on which DVA card you hold.
DVA Gold Card
The Gold Card provides coverage for all clinically necessary health care, including physiotherapy, for any condition. This means you can access physiotherapy for any health issue, whether or not it is related to your military service.
Gold Card holders include veterans with a disability pension, veterans over 70 with qualifying service, and other eligible groups. If you have a Gold Card, you have the broadest level of DVA coverage.
DVA White Card
The White Card covers treatment for specific conditions that have been accepted as related to your military service. Physiotherapy is covered if it is for one of your accepted conditions.
For example, if your White Card lists a back injury as an accepted condition, DVA will fund physiotherapy for your back. Physiotherapy for an unrelated condition, such as a knee problem that is not service-related, would not be covered under the White Card.
Not sure which card you have? Check the colour and text on your DVA card. Gold Cards are gold-coloured and state coverage for "all conditions." White Cards are white and list your specific accepted conditions on the back.
The D904 Referral: What You Need from Your GP
To access DVA-funded physiotherapy, you need a referral from your GP. This is done using the D904 Allied Health Referral Form. Your GP completes this form and it authorises up to 12 physiotherapy sessions per referral.
The key things to know about the D904 referral:
- 12 sessions per referral - each D904 referral covers up to 12 physiotherapy sessions. If you need more sessions after those 12 are used, your GP can issue a new D904 referral.
- 12-month validity - the referral is valid for 12 months from the date your GP signs it. You do not need to use all 12 sessions within a short timeframe.
- Renewals are straightforward - when your 12 sessions are used or the referral expires, your GP can issue a new one. There is no annual cap on the total number of physiotherapy sessions you can receive through DVA, as long as treatment remains clinically necessary.
- Ask your GP specifically - when you visit your GP, ask them to complete a D904 referral for physiotherapy. It is a standard DVA form that most GPs who treat veterans are familiar with.
No Out-of-Pocket Costs
DVA-funded physiotherapy has no gap or co-payment for the veteran. DVA pays the provider directly at the DVA-scheduled fee. You should never be asked to pay a gap or top-up amount for physiotherapy services covered by your DVA card.
This applies to both clinic-based and home visit physiotherapy. The DVA schedule includes specific item numbers for home visit consultations, so mobile physiotherapy is fully covered under the same no-gap arrangement.
What to bring to your first appointment: Your DVA Gold or White Card, your D904 referral from your GP, and any relevant medical reports or imaging results. Your physiotherapist will handle the rest, including submitting claims to DVA on your behalf.
What Types of Physiotherapy Are Covered?
DVA covers a broad range of physiotherapy services, including:
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Treatment for joint pain, arthritis, back pain, neck pain, shoulder problems, and other musculoskeletal conditions. This is the most common type of physiotherapy accessed by veterans.
Post-Surgery Rehabilitation
Recovery programs after joint replacements, spinal surgery, and other orthopaedic procedures. Mobile physiotherapy is particularly valuable in the early weeks when travelling to a clinic is difficult.
Falls Prevention and Balance
Assessment and treatment to reduce falls risk, including balance training, strength exercises, and home environment assessment. This is particularly relevant for older veterans.
Chronic Pain Management
Exercise-based pain management, manual therapy, and education for chronic pain conditions. Many veterans live with chronic pain related to their service, and physiotherapy can play a role in managing this.
How to Book DVA Home Visit Physiotherapy
Booking DVA-funded home visit physiotherapy is straightforward. Here are the steps:
Get a D904 referral from your GP
Visit your GP and ask them to complete a D904 Allied Health Referral Form for physiotherapy. If you are a Gold Card holder, the referral can be for any condition. If you are a White Card holder, the referral must be for one of your accepted conditions.
Contact us with your referral
Call us or send an enquiry through our contact page. Have your DVA card number and D904 referral ready. We will verify your eligibility and arrange your first appointment.
Your physiotherapist visits you at home
We come to your home for your assessment and treatment sessions. No travel required, no out-of-pocket costs. We handle all DVA billing directly.
For more information about all available funding pathways, visit our funding and payment options page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many physio sessions does DVA cover?
Each D904 referral from your GP covers up to 12 physiotherapy sessions. When those 12 sessions are used, your GP can issue a new D904 referral for another 12 sessions. There is no annual cap on total sessions, as long as treatment remains clinically necessary and your GP provides ongoing referrals.
Do I have to pay anything for DVA physiotherapy?
No. DVA-funded physiotherapy has no gap or co-payment for the veteran. DVA pays the provider directly at the DVA-scheduled fee. This applies to both clinic-based and home visit physiotherapy. You should never be asked to pay a top-up amount.
Can I choose my own physiotherapist with DVA?
Yes. You have the right to choose your own physiotherapy provider. You are not restricted to a specific clinic or provider. The provider must accept DVA patients and bill at DVA-scheduled rates, but the choice of provider is yours.
Content reviewed by Jovi Villanueva, AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist (PHY0001876394), Principal Physiotherapist at Wellworx Physio.
Last updated: March 2026
DVA Card Holder? Book Home Physio Today
We accept DVA Gold and White Cards for home visit physiotherapy. No out-of-pocket costs. We handle all DVA billing.