The DVA Gold Card, which DVA calls the Veteran Card – All Conditions, covers clinically required treatment for all medical conditions in Australia. It goes to veterans with certain types of service or levels of compensation, war widows and widowers, and some dependants. Treatment is usually free when your provider accepts the card.
What the DVA Gold Card covers
Your Gold Card entitlements include treatment from:
- GPs and specialists
- hospitals and day procedure facilities
- allied health professionals
- dental and optical professionals
- community nurses
- pathology and medical imaging
Some high-cost dental items can cost extra. Prescription items cost $7.70 each until you reach the Safety Net threshold for the year.
Gold Card benefits also include free or low-cost support such as Open Arms counselling, Veterans' Home Care, aids, equipment and home modifications, and travel to and from medical appointments. DVA pays the Energy Supplement automatically if you don't already get it.
If you don't receive an income support payment such as the service pension, you may also get the Veterans Supplement of $7.00 a fortnight ($14.00 in some cases) to help with the cost of medicines. DVA pays it automatically.
DVA Gold Card eligibility
Australian veterans
If your service is covered by the VEA or MRCA, you may be eligible if one of these applies:
- you have qualifying service and are over 70. DVA sends ADF veterans over 70 a Gold Card automatically
- you're a former prisoner of war
- you served with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan between 16 August 1945 and 28 April 1952, or in the British Nuclear Test program
- you receive a Disability Compensation Payment at 100% of the general rate or higher under the VEA, or an additional amount for specific disabilities
- you receive or are eligible for the Special Rate Disability Pension, or an Additional Disablement Amount at 60 or more impairment points, under the MRCA
If your service was covered by the DRCA before 1 July 2026, you may be eligible under the MRCA if you're assessed at 60 or more impairment points and either have a new MRCA condition after 1 July 2026 or your impairment increases by 5 or more points.
Service pensioners under 70
If you receive a service pension, DVA sends you a Gold Card if you're permanently blind in both eyes, have an MRCA permanent impairment of at least 30 points, receive a Disability Compensation Payment at 50% of the general rate or higher, or your income and assets are below certain limits.
| Limit (from 20 September 2026) | Single | Couple (combined) |
|---|---|---|
| Income, per fortnight | $558.80 | $967.60 |
| Assets, homeowner | $388,500 | $594,500 |
| Assets, non-homeowner | $655,500 | $861,500 |
If your income goes over the limit, you can keep the card for up to 13 weeks. Read DVA's rules for service pensioners.
Commonwealth and allied veterans, and civilians
Commonwealth and allied veterans may be eligible if they lived in Australia before enlisting and have qualifying service before 12 January 1973. Some civilians are eligible too, including Second World War Merchant Navy members and British Nuclear Test participants.
How many impairment points for a Gold Card?
- MRCA: 60 or more impairment points, or getting or being eligible for the Special Rate Disability Pension or the Additional Disablement Amount.
- VEA: a Disability Compensation Payment at 100% of the general rate or higher, which includes the intermediate, special (TPI) and EDA rates.
- Service pensioners under 70: 30 or more MRCA points, or a Disability Compensation Payment of 50% of the general rate or more.
Since 1 July 2026 all new compensation claims are made under the MRCA. Veterans who already have a TPI Gold Card keep it without reapplying. Under the MRCA, the way to a TPI-endorsed Gold Card is the Special Rate Disability Pension: once you're eligible for it, DVA issues a Gold Card embossed "TPI", and you keep the card even if you later go back to work.
Gold Card entitlements for spouses, widows and dependants
A Gold Card covers the person it's issued to. A spouse or partner gets their own Gold Card only if they're eligible in their own right. You may receive one if you:
- receive the War Widow(er)'s Pension
- are a wholly dependent partner, eligible young person or dependant eligible for compensation for a veteran's death
- receive the Orphan's Pension
- are a dependent child of a deceased veteran with operational service and aren't being cared for by your remaining parent
DVA support for families covers the pensions, compensation and education help available to partners and children.
The Gold Card, TPI and pensions
Veterans paid a Disability Compensation Payment at the special rate, often called TPI, receive more than 100% of the general rate, so they qualify for a Gold Card. So do veterans who receive or are eligible for the Special Rate Disability Pension under the MRCA. A Gold Card isn't a pension itself.
Read about TPI or the Special Rate Disability Pension.
How to get a DVA Gold Card
If DVA knows you're eligible, it sends you a card automatically. If you don't receive one, DVA has application forms for ADF veterans, British Nuclear Test and British Commonwealth Occupation Force participants, and SEATO medical team members, or you can call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372). Serving full-time ADF members get treatment through Defence instead.
Read DVA's Gold Card eligibility and forms
Using your Gold Card
Tell your health provider you have a Gold Card and ask whether they accept it. Show it to your doctor so prescriptions go through the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and to the pharmacy. The card works anywhere in Australia but not overseas. A digital version is in MyService and can be added to your myGov wallet.
From July 2026 DVA is reissuing Gold Cards with a new design. Your current card stays valid until the new one arrives, even if it shows as expired.
DVA Gold Card benefits by state
Each state and territory decides its own concessions. For cars, a plain Gold Card usually isn't enough: most states want a Gold Card endorsed TPI or EDA, or a DVA letter confirming your compensation rate or impairment points. The ACT is the main exception. Each concession applies to one vehicle.
| State | Registration | Stamp duty when you buy a car | Driver licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Free registration and motor vehicle tax with a Gold Card endorsed TPI, EDA or War Widow, or a DVA statement (Disability Compensation Payment of 70% or more, intermediate or EDA rate, ADA, or 50+ MRCA points) | Exempt, with the transfer fee, for DVA pensioners at 70% or more, intermediate, TPI or EDA rates, ADA, or 50+ MRCA points | Free licence, driving tests and Photo Card for the same group |
| QLD | Reduced fee if you're assessed at 70% or more under the VEA or 50+ MRCA points. Show a Gold Card embossed TPI or EDA, or your card with a DVA letter | Exempt from vehicle registration duty for the same group, if you have the DVA letter when you register | No concession |
| WA | 100% off vehicle licence fees with a Gold Card printed TPI or EDA, the Special Rate, or 60+ MRCA points | 100% off vehicle licence duty for the same group | Free renewal or replacement for Gold Card TPI or EDA holders and people on the Special Rate |
| VIC | Any veteran's Gold Card (not marked DEPENDANT): 50% off registration and the TAC charge. TPI or EDA: free registration and 50% off the TAC charge | Exempt with written DVA confirmation (VEA section 22 at 100% or more, sections 23, 24, 25 or 104, or 40+ MRCA points) | No veteran concession listed by VicRoads |
| SA | 66.6% off with a Gold Card endorsed TPI or EDA, 50+ MRCA points, or a Disability Compensation Payment at 70% or more | Exempt on the vehicle and on CTP insurance for the same group | 50% off for the same group |
| TAS | Concession for Gold and White Card holders. TPI veterans are also exempt from motor tax | Exempt for TPI pension recipients | Check with Transport Tasmania |
| ACT | Any Gold Card: no registration fees (you still pay the insurance premium and other charges) | Check with the ACT Revenue Office | Any Gold Card: 100% off licence fees |
| NT | TPI or War Widow(er) Gold Card holders, through the NT Concession Scheme: up to $154 a year off registration | Check with the NT Motor Vehicle Registry | Free renewal through the NT Concession Scheme |
Victoria also has its own Veterans Card – Victoria for anyone who has served in the ADF, separate from DVA's cards, with $100 off one vehicle's registration and free trailer and caravan registration.
Other Gold Card concessions include:
- NSW: a Gold Opal card for any Gold Card holder, with travel capped at $2.50 a day.
- Queensland: a council rates subsidy of 20%, up to $200 a year, and the electricity rebate. Your DVA card needs the Q prefix.
- Victoria: energy, water and sewerage concessions. Municipal rates concessions need a Gold Card marked TPI, War Widow(er), EDA or POW.
- WA: the Energy Assistance Payment. For council rates and water rebates, apply for a State Concession Card.
- ACT: free off-peak public transport for Gold Card holders, and free travel at all times for TPI and EDA holders and a companion.
- Tasmania: a council rates remission for Gold Cards endorsed TPI or War Widow(er).
States change these rules, so check with your state before you rely on one. See Veteran Card discounts and how to prove you're eligible.
Buying a car with a DVA Gold Card
A Gold Card alone doesn't make a car cheaper, but some veterans can buy one GST-free. You qualify if, because of your ADF service, you receive a TPI pension, receive or are eligible for the Special Rate Disability Pension, or have lost (or lost the use of) a leg or both arms. Show the supplier your Gold Card embossed TPI, or a DVA letter, and give them the ATO's declaration form.
- You must intend to use the car for your own transport for at least 2 years or 40,000 km.
- GST is still payable on any value above the car limit ($69,883 in 2026–27), not counting modifications for your disability.
- It doesn't apply to a car bought jointly, such as with a partner, or to a full novation lease, and there's no luxury car tax exemption.
Stamp duty and registration exemptions depend on your state (see the table above). If a service-related condition means you can't drive or travel safely without modifications, DVA's Motor Vehicle Compensation Scheme may help with modifications or a modified car. The older Vehicle Assistance Scheme is closed to new claims.
Read the ATO's car concessions for veterans or DVA's Motor Vehicle Compensation Scheme.
Medicare levy exemption
Because a Gold Card gives you free treatment for all conditions, you can claim a Medicare levy exemption in your tax return. It's a full exemption if you have no dependants, or if all your dependants were also exempt or had to pay the levy. It's a half exemption if at least one dependant, such as your partner, wasn't exempt and didn't have to pay the levy. A White Card doesn't qualify.
Read the ATO's Medicare levy exemption rules
Respite and aged care
If you have a carer, or you care for someone, and you hold a Gold or White Card, DVA pays each financial year for up to 28 days of residential respite or 196 hours of in-home respite, or a mix of both. There's no cost within those limits. You can get up to 63 days of residential respite through My Aged Care, but you pay the basic daily care fee for the extra days. To arrange respite, call the Veterans' Home Care assessment agency on 1300 550 450.
DVA doesn't generally pay residential aged care fees, except under special arrangements for former prisoners of war and Victoria Cross recipients. In an aged care home your Gold Card still covers medical appointments, hospital, dental, optical, aids and equipment, and travel for treatment.
Read DVA's respite care information
Is there a DVA Gold Card fact sheet?
DVA replaced its old fact sheets, including the Gold Card ones, with web pages you can print. The current source is DVA's Veteran Card – All Conditions page, which covers eligibility, what the card pays for and the application forms.
Go to DVA's Veteran Card – All Conditions page
DVA Gold Card vs White Card
| Gold Card | White Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Veteran Card – All Conditions | Veteran Card – Specific Conditions |
| Treatment covered | All medical conditions | Accepted service-related conditions, and depending on service, mental health conditions, cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis |
| Veterans' Home Care | Can be assessed | Can be assessed |
Read about the DVA White Card or compare all three Veteran Cards.
The Gold Card and help at home
A Gold Card lets you be assessed for Veterans' Home Care. It doesn't by itself approve DVA Household Services: those need a separate claim for tasks you can't manage because of an accepted service-related condition.
Compare Veterans' Home Care and Household Services
Checked against DVA's website on 25 September 2026.