How to refer a veteran for DVA Community Nursing

Short answer: confirm there's a clinical need, complete the DVA referral form (D9389), and send it directly to your chosen provider. DVA doesn't allocate clients — the referral goes to the provider you nominate, and care can start once referral and eligibility are in place.

In a hurry? You don't need to resolve every detail first. If there's a clinical need and the person is (or may be) a DVA client, send the referral — Carehaven confirms receipt the same business day and checks eligibility for you. Refer a veteran →

Step 1 — Confirm there's a community nursing need

DVA Community Nursing supports clinical care in the veteran's home — for example wound care, medication support, diabetes management, continence, catheter or stoma care, palliative support, and post-discharge nursing. Personal care can also be provided following clinical assessment. If the person needs nursing or clinically-assessed personal care at home, a referral is appropriate.

Step 2 — Check DVA entitlement (or let us)

Community Nursing is generally available to eligible DVA clients — Gold Card holders for clinically necessary care, and White Card holders for accepted conditions. If you're not certain of the person's entitlement, refer anyway: confirming eligibility is part of the provider's intake, and Carehaven will check it before care commences.

Step 3 — Complete the DVA referral form (D9389)

Use the DVA Community Nursing referral form (D9389). Include the veteran's details and DVA file number, the clinical reason for referral, the specific nursing needs, relevant risks, and your details as the referrer. The one-page referral checklist lists exactly what to include so nothing comes back for missing information.

Step 4 — Send it to your chosen provider

This is the step many referrers don't realise: DVA generally does not allocate clients to providers. The referral goes directly to the contracted Community Nursing provider you nominate. To refer to Carehaven, send the completed form by our secure referral method to the named clinical contact.

Step 5 — What happens after you send it

With Carehaven: we confirm receipt the same business day, check DVA eligibility and that the need sits within our contracted services, contact the veteran to arrange an RN assessment, and commence care under the DVA standard Schedule of Fees. Care can begin once a valid referral and eligibility check are in place — no separate DVA approval is required to start. We keep you informed at assessment and commencement.

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

Frequently asked

Do I need DVA approval before referring?

No. For standard Community Nursing, care can commence once a valid referral and eligibility check are in place — you don't wait on a separate DVA approval. (Higher-needs "Exceptional Cases" beyond the standard visit thresholds are handled by the provider.)

Can I choose which provider gets the referral?

Yes — referrals go directly to the provider chosen by the referrer or client. You can nominate Carehaven.

What if I'm not sure the person is eligible?

Refer anyway. Eligibility confirmation is part of the provider's intake; Carehaven checks it before care commences.

How quickly will Carehaven respond?

We confirm receipt the same business day and move promptly to eligibility check, veteran contact and RN assessment.

Refer a veteran for community nursing

Same-business-day confirmation. We'll handle eligibility and the RN assessment.

Refer a veteran →

Or call our intake team on 1300 310 605

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

General information for health professionals, not clinical, legal or funding advice. Confirm current requirements with DVA. Sources: DVA Community Nursing provider & referral information (dva.gov.au).