Support for veterans or war widows
If you’re an older veteran or a war widow/widower, you can access a range of aged care services.
Whether you need help at home, health care, counselling or other types of support, there are services to suit your needs and situation.
On this page
Aged care is changing
The new Aged Care Act is an important reform that embeds the right for you to:
- access culturally safe, trauma-aware and healing-informed assessments and aged care services
- have your identity, culture, spirituality and diversity valued and supported
- stay connected to your community and significant people in your life.
Find out more about how aged care reforms will impact you.
Can I get aged care that cater for my needs?
All providers must recognise and embrace your individual needs and values. You have the right to live the life you choose, make decisions about your aged care services, and get support when you want or need it. Aged care providers must explain your aged care services in a way that you understand.
You can access government-funded aged care services if you have care needs and are at least one of the following:
- aged 65 years and over
- an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 years and older
- homeless or at risk of homelessness and aged 50 years and older
- already living in an aged care home or accessing aged care services.
You have the right to receive safe, high-quality care and services and to be treated with dignity and respect. Government-funded care should value your identity, culture, and background.
Some providers tailor their practices, staff and organisation to meet the needs of specific groups. This includes older people who are veterans or war widows.
You can also identify providers that offer tailored care in the Find a provider tool. To help narrow your search, use the filters to find and compare providers that offer the care you need.
How do I find a provider that is right for me?
Whether you’re looking for help at home or considering moving into an aged care home, My Aged Care can help you to find and access a range of aged care services.
The first step is to apply for an assessment. You can register for an assessment online. My Aged Care or one of the support services can also help you with this process.
Your assessor will visit you, to chat about your goals and needs. They will confirm what services you are eligible for, then suggest local providers that may be able to help you.
You can also identify providers that offer verified specialist care in the Find a provider tool. To help narrow your search, use the specialised care filter to find and compare providers that offer the care you need.
Some providers listed in the Find a provider tool have been verified as delivering care and services that meet specific needs of people from specific backgrounds or life experiences, including the veteran community. These providers have undergone a process that validates their claims as a provider of specialised care and services.
Specialisation Verification helps you to be confident that their claims of specialised care have been verified by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing using the Specialisation Verification Framework.
Learn more about specialisation verification for aged care services.
Veterans and war widows may also be eligible for aged care support through the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA). The assessment process for services funded by DVA is different, depending on your needs. Learn more about assessments and access further down this page.
What questions can I ask aged care providers?
When you're starting to think about aged care or are talking to a provider for the first time, it's good to think about the kind of care you would like.
Preparing some questions to ask providers when you meet with them can be very helpful. You can take your loved ones, carers, supporters, or anyone you trust with you to these meetings. Some example questions are included below.
These and more questions can be found on the 10 Questions to Ask website. While it focuses on questions you can ask when looking for an aged care home, most of them work for receiving help at home as well.
Who can help me access aged care?
Aged care can be confusing and complicated. That's why there are many ways to get some help with this process, by speaking to someone who understands your background and experiences. There is a network of free services available that can provide advice and support at every step along the way.
Receiving help from DVA and My Aged Care
As a veteran or war widow, you may be eligible for help from DVA. This includes getting help at home, assistive technology and home modifications, or support in an aged care home.
What services you can get, funding, and eligibility are different to services funded by the Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing.
You should research and compare your options for services and funding from each. This can help you get the care you need.
Learn more about aged care through DVA or call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).
Can I get care from DVA and My Aged Care at the same time?
If you are already receiving DVA-funded services, you may still be able to receive My Aged Care services, so long as:
- you’re eligible for those services, and
- you’re not receiving the same service from both departments.
For example, you may get low-level domestic help and personal care through Veterans' Home Care. At the same time, you may also receive community transport and meals through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
You may be able to continue using your Veteran Gold or White Card to get allied health services, assistive technology, or healthcare.
In an aged care home, you can use your Veteran Card to get some products or services, as long as there is no duplication. Learn more about using your Veteran Card in an aged care home.
What in-home support can I get through DVA?
DVA has a number of programs that provide services and supports to veterans and war widow(er)s to help them remain independent at home. If you have a Veteran Gold or White Card, you may be able to access a range of services, depending on your care needs.
Completing your means assessment
Some services have costs or contributions you may be asked to pay, outside of what the government funds themselves. The government may be able to help with these costs, depending on your situation.
To find out how much you may need to pay for some in-home services or your aged care home, you will need a means assessment. This is done by either Services Australia or DVA.
Find out more about means assessments. You can also call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) to discuss your circumstances.
What support is available for carers?
If you are caring for someone, short-term and emergency respite services are available. These are offered by multiple aged care programs, or through DVA’s respite services.
For emergency respite care, contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. You can find out more about services to support carers on the Carer Gateway website.
We also have dedicated information available for carers.
What if I have concerns about my care?
If you are made to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, are denied a service, or have a concern about your rights, you should tell someone. This could be your aged care provider, a staff member, a friend, family member, an aged care advocate, or anyone you trust.
Learn more about your rights.
You also have the right to raise your concern or make a complaint with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Doing this will not affect your support services. Discuss the issue with your aged care provider first, as it may be something they can resolve. You have the right to stop services at any time.
If you are not comfortable talking to your provider, OPAN provides free advocacy services.
Learn more about raising complaints and concerns.
You can also raise concerns with DVA on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).
Useful resources and contacts
The following services and programs may be able to help.
DVA information and resources
Visit the DVA website for additional information on available aged care, such as:
- services for DVA clients to remain living independently
- information on moving into and living in residential aged care
- information for carers of DVA clients.
Open Arms – Veterans and Families counselling
Open Arms provides free and confidential mental health support and counselling for veterans and their families. Counselling can be face-to-face, telephone or online, and you can also attend group treatment workshops.