DVA pays for treatment of any mental health condition for current and former full-time ADF members, including reservists with at least one day of continuous full-time service, without you proving your service caused it. Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling offers free, confidential support at any time on 1800 011 046.
If you need help now
In an emergency, call triple zero (000). For free, confidential support at any time, call Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046.
DVA mental health treatment without a claim
This is called non-liability health care. You need a White Card that covers mental health; Gold Card holders are already covered. It can pay for:
- treatment from a GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health social worker or mental health occupational therapist
- mental health admissions to public or private hospitals and day procedure facilities
- prescribed medicine for mental health conditions
- pathology and imaging to diagnose a mental health condition
- DVA-recognised alcohol and drug treatment programs
Reservists without continuous full-time service may be eligible if they did disaster relief or border protection service, or were involved in a serious service-related training accident. Check that your provider accepts the Veteran Card before booking.
Read DVA's non-liability health care information
Open Arms counselling
Open Arms offers face-to-face, phone and online counselling for individuals, couples and families, arranged by calling 1800 011 046. It supports anyone who has served in the ADF and their immediate families, and reservists who did border protection or disaster relief service or were involved in a serious training accident, and their families. Its counsellors understand military culture.
Read about Open Arms counselling
Alcohol and drug treatment for veterans
DVA pays for help with alcohol and drug problems if a medical professional finds you have a clinical need and you hold a Gold Card, or a White Card that covers the treatment. Non-liability health care covers DVA-recognised alcohol and drug treatment programs, so anyone with one day of continuous full-time service can get this help without making a claim. The help can include:
- GP and specialist care, psychiatry and psychology
- hospital care for detox
- residential and outpatient group treatment programs that DVA funds
- treatment in private hospitals that DVA has arrangements with
- counselling and relationship support through Open Arms, for you and your immediate family
Your GP refers you to specialist services. Community-based alcohol and drug services need DVA's approval first, with a referral from a doctor. Open Arms can also coordinate specialist treatment for you, including inpatient care and medicines. Call 1800 011 046 at any time.
If you're dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, so talk to your GP or Open Arms first. For general advice, the national Alcohol and Drug Information Service is on 1800 250 015.
Read DVA's help for alcohol and drug problems or Open Arms' alcohol and other drug referrals.
Trauma Recovery Programs for PTSD
DVA funds Trauma Recovery Programs in public and private hospitals for veterans and serving members who hold a Gold or White Card and have a clinical diagnosis of PTSD. Programs usually run for 4 weeks full time to 12 weeks part time, depending on the hospital. A psychiatrist or GP can refer you.
See DVA's Trauma Recovery Program information and hospitals
Mental health claims, pay and work
Treatment and compensation are separate. If you want DVA to accept a mental health condition as service-related, you make a claim. While DVA assesses it, Veteran Payment may help if you can't work, and incapacity payments are fast-tracked for mental health.
Read about DVA payouts for depression and anxiety and PTSD.
Checked against DVA's website on 25 September 2026.