Helping a veteran remain comfortable at home

Short answer: DVA Community Nursing can provide compassionate palliative support to help an eligible veteran stay comfortable in their own home. As a referrer, you can send a referral directly to Carehaven — we respond promptly and sensitively, check eligibility and arrange an RN assessment. Clinical decisions about care remain with the treating team.

Time-sensitive? We understand these referrals often can't wait. Carehaven confirms a referral the same business day and responds with care and urgency, working alongside the veteran's treating team. Refer a veteran →

Supporting comfort and dignity at home

Many veterans wish to remain in familiar surroundings, close to family, for as long as possible. Palliative support under DVA Community Nursing is about helping a veteran stay comfortable at home — delivered gently, with respect for the person and those around them, and always in step with the plan set by their treating team.

Who can refer

Authorised referrers for DVA Community Nursing include GPs, treating hospital doctors, hospital discharge planners and community nurse practitioners. The referral goes directly to the provider you nominate — DVA generally does not allocate clients — so you can refer to Carehaven and we will respond promptly.

What palliative community nursing support can involve

• Comfort-focused nursing — nursing care in the home directed at the veteran's comfort and wellbeing.
• Symptom-support liaison — working alongside the treating team to support the agreed plan of care.
• Carer support — practical guidance and reassurance for family and carers who are part of the person's care at home.
• Coordination — helping care fit together smoothly around the veteran and their treating team.

The precise support is shaped by the RN assessment and the direction of the treating team. Clinical and treatment decisions remain with the treating team; Carehaven's role is to provide nursing support within its contracted scope.

A prompt, sensitive response

Send the completed DVA referral form (D9389) to Carehaven. We confirm receipt the same business day, check DVA eligibility and service fit, and contact the veteran or their nominated carer with care to arrange an RN home assessment. Care can commence under the DVA standard Schedule of Fees once a valid referral and eligibility check are in place — no separate DVA approval is required to begin — so support can be put in place without delay.

Service area: Melbourne's outer north (Donnybrook, Craigieburn, Epping, Whittlesea) through Mitchell and the Macedon Ranges to Greater Bendigo.

Frequently asked

Who makes the clinical decisions about care?

The treating team. Palliative support under Community Nursing works alongside the plan set by the veteran's treating team; Carehaven provides nursing support within that plan and its contracted scope.

Who can refer for palliative support at home?

Authorised referrers include GPs, treating hospital doctors, hospital discharge planners and community nurse practitioners.

How quickly can support begin?

Care can commence once a valid referral and eligibility check are in place. Carehaven confirms a referral the same business day and responds promptly and sensitively.

Can family and carers be supported too?

Yes — carer support is part of what palliative community nursing support can involve, alongside comfort-focused nursing and coordination with the treating team.

What if I'm not sure of the veteran's eligibility?

Refer anyway. Confirming eligibility is part of the provider's intake, and Carehaven checks it before care commences.

Refer a veteran for palliative support at home

Same-business-day confirmation. A prompt, sensitive response alongside the treating team.

Refer a veteran →

Or call our intake team on 1300 310 605

What DVA Community Nursing can cover at home → What happens after you refer a veteran → Who can refer to DVA Community Nursing? → Download the one-page referral checklist →

General information for health professionals, not clinical, legal or funding advice. Clinical decisions remain with the treating team; individual eligibility and funded services are determined by DVA. Sources: DVA Community Nursing provider & referral information (dva.gov.au).