What treatment is funded under DVA
If you hold a DVA Gold Card, your eligibility is broad — virtually any clinically indicated mental health or AOD treatment is fully funded, including residential rehab, detox, addiction medicine specialist consultations, psychology, psychiatry, and addiction-related medications. White Card holders are funded for accepted conditions; mental health and substance use disorders are accepted as non-liability conditions, meaning you do not need to prove a service connection to access treatment.
The Non-Liability Health Care arrangement (NLHC) is the most under-used DVA entitlement we encounter. Any current or former ADF member with at least one day of continuous full-time service can access fully funded mental health treatment — including substance use disorder treatment — without needing to file a claim or prove service connection. If you served, you qualify. The card you carry — Gold, White, or no card — does not change this.
Open Arms — Veterans & Families Counselling
Open Arms (formerly Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service) is the standalone DVA-funded mental health service for current and former ADF members and their families. Counselling is free, confidential, unlimited, and lifelong. Unlike most DVA services, Open Arms does not require a card or claim — eligibility is based on service, including reservists with continuous full-time service.
Open Arms can also fund residential rehab for AOD problems where clinically indicated, work alongside private rehab providers, and provide group programs specifically for veterans (PTSD-focused groups, alcohol-focused groups, family support groups). The 24/7 support line is 1800 011 046.
Veteran-aware private rehabs in Australia
Several private rehab providers across Australia bill DVA directly and have substantial experience with veteran-specific clinical complexity (PTSD, military sexual trauma, transition stress, substance use as self-medication for sleep or hypervigilance). Asking specifically whether the program has a clinical lead with veteran experience is the most useful screening question.
- The Banyans (QLD): Veteran intake pathway, DVA-billed
- South Pacific Private (NSW): Veteran-aware program, accepts DVA
- The Sanctuary Byron Bay (NSW): Bills DVA, trauma-informed model
- Habitat Therapeutics (NSW): ADF-experienced clinicians
- The Hader Clinic (VIC, QLD): Veteran-aware programs
- Public hospital units: St Vincent's (Sydney/Melbourne) and the larger metropolitan addiction medicine services routinely treat veterans
Mates4Mates and Soldier On
Beyond clinical treatment, two veteran-led support organisations are worth knowing: Mates4Mates runs psychology and skills-based recovery groups specifically for current and former ADF members and their families. Soldier On provides employment support, social connection programs, and family services. Neither replaces clinical treatment for substance use disorder, but both meaningfully reduce the social isolation that drives relapse risk.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a DVA Gold Card to access funded rehab?
No. The Non-Liability Health Care arrangement covers mental health and AOD treatment for any veteran with at least one day of continuous full-time service, regardless of card status or whether the condition is service-connected. Open Arms counselling is also independent of card status.
Will my unit or commanding officer find out?
If you are a current serving member, treatment access through DVA is independent of your chain of command. Treatment records are not visible to ADF leadership. Privacy protections apply equally as they do for any civilian. The exception is fitness-for-duty determinations, where a treating clinician may be asked to provide functional information without disclosing diagnostic detail.
What about reservists?
Reservists with continuous full-time service of at least one day qualify for NLHC and Open Arms. Reservists with only part-time service may have different eligibility — Open Arms is the easiest first call to clarify your individual situation.
Can my family access support?
Yes. Open Arms covers immediate family — partners, children, parents, siblings — for free, unlimited counselling. DVA also funds family-inclusive programs at certain rehabs.