DVA Health Card For Specific Conditions (White Card)

Last amended: 12 December 2002

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Entitlements under White Card

The White Card entitles the holder to treatment, for their specific conditions only, at departmental expense. The holder should present their White Card when they visit a:

• doctor, medical specialist, or pharmacist,
• dentist or dental prosthetist,
• optometrist or ophthalmologist,
• any other health care professional who provides services under DVA arrangements, or
• hospital.    
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Who is eligible for a White Card

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A White Card is issued to Australian veterans or mariners with an accepted war or service caused injury or disease.

A White Card is also issued to Australian veterans, current and former members of the [glossary::525], and certain Reservists who are eligible for non-liability health care(NLHC) treatment for the following conditions whether service-related or not:

• cancer (malignant neoplasm),
• pulmonary tuberculosis, and
• any mental health condition.

From mid-2018, eligible transitioning members of the ADF are automatically issued a White Card for NLHC mental health treatment.

White Card holders are not subject to the income test and assets test to determine their eligibility, however, the income and assets test may prevent them from being eligible for the Gold Card.

Treatment for White Card holders while overseas

White Cards can be used anywhere in Australia but can not be used overseas. White Card holders travelling or residing overseas are only eligible to receive treatment for injuries or diseases that have been accepted as war- or service-caused, and should contact DVA prior to departing Australia for information about arangements for treatment while overseas. Treatment while overseas is not available under NLHC arrangements.

Eligibility through agreement with other countries

DVA acts as an agent for certain countries whose entitled ex-service personnel live in Australia. These countries are:

• New Zealand,
• Canada,
• South Africa, and
• United Kingdom.

Veterans from these countries receive a White Card and are only entitled to treatment for their accepted disabilities. Their respective country reimburses DVA for the cost of their treatment.