I'm caring for a veteran: what help is available?

If you regularly help a veteran because of a service-related injury, illness, trauma, disability or ageing, you are a carer. That's true whether you help every day or from time to time.

• Who can be a carer: a partner or spouse, parent, adult child, other family member or friend.
• You don't need to live together. DVA says a carer can be a friend, partner or family member who provides ongoing care, and doesn't need to live with the person they care for.
• Many carers don't see themselves that way. Carers Australia says carers of current and former ADF members are often overlooked, and many think they can't get outside support, so they never ask.
• It's common. Carers Australia says around one in eight of the more than half a million Australians who have served, or are serving, has a partner, parent, sibling or child who cares for them.

Source: Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency – Support for carers; DVA – Respite care; Carers Australia – Defence and Veteran Carers Network

In its 2025 Carer Wellbeing Survey, Carers Australia asked carers of veterans about their experience. Among those surveyed:

These are survey findings, not estimates for all veteran carers in Australia. If any of this sounds familiar, the sections below are about exactly these gaps: finding your way through the system, getting recognised, and connecting with other carers.

Source: Carers Australia – Carer Wellbeing Survey 2025 report (PDF)

DVA doesn't pay carers directly, but several DVA services give carers a break or support. Most are already explained in our other guides, so here's where to find them.

• Respite care. If the veteran holds a Veteran Card (All Conditions or Specific Conditions), DVA may fund:
  • in-home respite: another carer comes in so you can have a break, go to appointments, work or rest;
  • residential respite: short-term care, usually in a government-funded aged care home (an aged care assessment through My Aged Care, 1800 200 422, is needed first);
  • emergency short-term home relief (ESTHR): care at home if you're suddenly unable to provide care.
  Call the VHC assessment agency on 1300 550 450. If the veteran isn't eligible through DVA, respite can be arranged through My Aged Care.
• Household help and personal care. Household Services, Attendant Care and Veterans' Home Care can take some tasks off your plate. See Help at Home.
• Counselling for you. Open Arms offers free, confidential counselling 24/7 to veterans and their immediate families, including partners. See Mental health support.
• Kids and family. Education help, the Acute Support Package and family programs are in Family & kids.
• Dealing with DVA on their behalf. The veteran can make you their nominated representative, through MyService or DVA's form for appointing a third party. This only covers DVA, not other agencies.
• Help with the paperwork. Free trained advocates can help with claims and wellbeing services. See Free help with your claim.

Source: DVA – Respite care; DVA – Carer wellbeing; DVA – Information for carers

This is the part many veteran carers miss. You can use mainstream carer services as well as anything DVA provides.

• Carer Gateway is a free Australian Government program for carers. It offers tailored support packages, counselling, coaching, online skills courses, peer support groups, planned and emergency respite, and help making an emergency care plan. DVA says carers of veterans can call 1800 422 737 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm) and select option 1 to speak with their local provider.
• Carer payments (Services Australia). DVA can't pay carer payments, but you may be able to get Carer Payment (if you give constant care) and/or Carer Allowance (a supplementary fortnightly payment if the person needs daily care), plus Carer Supplement. Call Services Australia on 132 717.
• Young carers. Young carers may be able to get help with education costs through the Young Carer Bursary Program.
• NDIS and My Aged Care may fund supports for the person you care for, depending on their age and needs.
• Local help: state and territory carer organisations, community health services, councils, neighbourhood centres and respite or peer support groups.
• Free money information. The Services Australia Financial Information Service (132 300) explains how changes may affect your finances. It doesn't give financial advice.

Source: Carer Gateway; DVA – Carer wellbeing; DVA – Information for carers; Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency – Support for carers; Services Australia – Carer Payment; Services Australia – Carer Allowance

Most veteran carers in the Carers Australia survey weren't connected with other veteran carers. These are good places to start:

• Defence and Veteran Carers Network (Carers Australia). Information and support for current and former ADF members and families where someone is a carer, is being cared for, or is affected by caring. It links to carer support in each state and territory, and you can share your story.
• Carer Gateway peer support groups, online and in person, through Carer Gateway.
• Veterans' and Families' Hubs are open to partners, families and carers, and you don't need a DVA claim. See Find support near you.
• Ex-service organisations often run social activities, which can give you a break too.
• Open Arms runs peer support and group programs for veterans and families: openarms.gov.au.

Source: Carers Australia – Defence and Veteran Carers Network; DVA – Carer wellbeing; Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency – Connecting with a Hub

• Say the word. When you call Carer Gateway, a GP or a service, say "I'm a carer for a veteran". It's often what unlocks carer-specific help.
• Plan for the day you can't. Make an emergency care plan (Carer Gateway has a template) so someone else knows what to do if you're sick or away.
• Get set up with DVA. If you handle the veteran's DVA matters, ask them to make you a nominated representative so DVA can talk to you.
• Use both systems. DVA respite and Carer Gateway respite are separate. Ask both what you can get.
• Look after yourself early. Support works best before you're exhausted. Open Arms counselling is free for partners and immediate family.

General guidance only. Check the official pages linked above for eligibility.

• veteranwellbeing.gov.auVeteran and Family Wellbeing Agency – Support for carers
  View source
• dva.gov.auDVA – Carer wellbeing
  View source
• dva.gov.auDVA – Information for carers
  View source
• dva.gov.auDVA – Respite care
  View source
• carergateway.gov.auCarer Gateway
  View source
• carersaustralia.com.auCarers Australia – Defence and Veteran Carers Network
  View source
• carersaustralia.com.auCarers Australia – Carer Wellbeing Survey 2025 report (PDF)
  View source
• servicesaustralia.gov.auServices Australia – Carer Payment
  View source
• servicesaustralia.gov.auServices Australia – Carer Allowance
  View source
• openarms.gov.auOpen Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling
  View source

All links opened and checked 2026-10-08.