At Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health, we provide occupational therapy services for eligible Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients in Perth. We offer appointments in clinic and, where suitable, through mobile visits, with support tailored to the person’s referral, goals, home environment and day-to-day needs. DVA lists occupational therapy as an allied health service available to eligible members of the veteran community.

Occupational therapy may be helpful for eligible veterans who need support with:

• daily living tasks

• home safety and function

• fatigue management

• equipment and assistive devices

• transfers and mobility-related routines

• maintaining independence at home and in the community

Our approach is practical, respectful and focused on helping people function as safely and independently as possible in everyday life.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is an allied health profession focused on helping people participate more safely and effectively in the activities they need or want to do in daily life. 

For DVA clients, occupational therapy is provided under DVA’s referral and treatment arrangements and must be clinically appropriate to the person’s assessed needs. 

DVA’s occupational therapy fee schedule includes items for consultations, reports, end-of-cycle reporting, travel and request-for-service items.

How occupational therapy may help

Daily living and independence

Occupational therapy may assist veterans who are having difficulty with everyday activities such as showering, dressing, meal preparation, household routines, transfers, or managing daily tasks safely and consistently.

Home safety and function

OT may help identify barriers within the home that are affecting safety, access or independence, and provide practical recommendations to improve function in the person’s usual environment.

Equipment and assistive technology

Occupational therapists may assist with clinical assessment and recommendations relating to selected aids, equipment and environmental supports where these are appropriate to the person’s needs and within DVA requirements.

Mobility-related routines and transfers

Some veterans may benefit from OT input around bed mobility, bathroom routines, transfers, access around the home, and practical strategies that support day-to-day function.

Fatigue management and pacing

For some clients, occupational therapy may include strategies to help manage daily routines more efficiently, reduce unnecessary effort and support sustainable participation in meaningful activities.

Clinic and mobile occupational therapy

We offer clinic-based occupational therapy appointments as well as mobile visits, depending on the person’s location, therapist availability and whether home-based support is clinically suitable.

In-clinic appointments

Clinic appointments may suit people who:

• prefer a structured therapy environment

• benefit from access to a broader allied health team in one place

• need assessment and planning in a clinic setting

Mobile visits

Mobile occupational therapy may be appropriate for people who:

• have difficulty travelling

• benefit from assessment in their own home

• need support linked to real-life daily routines

• require home-based review of access, safety, equipment or function
  
  

Referrals and DVA treatment cycles

DVA’s occupational therapy services operate under the allied health treatment cycle arrangements. If treating a Veteran Card holder, a valid referral is required. For an initial treatment cycle, the referral may come from a GP, and it may also come from a medical specialist, treating hospital doctor, or hospital discharge planner. 

Under DVA treatment cycle arrangements, a referral lasts for up to 12 sessions or 1 year, whichever ends first. Once a cycle ends, further treatment requires a new referral from the client’s usual GP.

DVA also states that clients can have as many treatment cycles as their GP determines are clinically necessary.

Important note for TPI Gold Card holders

Unlike physiotherapy and exercise physiology, the treatment cycle does apply to occupational therapy for clients with a TPI Gold Card. DVA’s GP treatment cycle guidance specifically notes that the TPI exemption only applies to physiotherapy and exercise physiology, and that treatment cycles still apply to occupational therapy.

Gold Card and White Card considerations

Eligibility for occupational therapy depends on the client’s DVA card type and the reason for treatment. In general, White Card access is limited to accepted service-related conditions or approved pathways, while broader access may apply for eligible Gold Card holders.

Equipment, aids and home-related supports

DVA provides aids, appliances and some modifications through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP). Depending on the client’s needs and the occupational therapist’s role, Palms may be able to assist with:

• functional assessment

• home safety review

• equipment recommendations

• selected mobility and daily living aid recommendations

• clinical input relating to access and independence at home

Any equipment, aid or modification pathway is subject to DVA rules, RAP item requirements and, where relevant, prior approval processes. DVA’s RAP program includes categories such as rails and other home-related items, and the occupational therapy schedule includes report and request-for-service items that can be relevant to equipment-related work.

Who we may support

Our DVA occupational therapy services may be suitable for eligible veterans who need support with:

• self-care and personal routines

• home access and safety

• functional decline

• fatigue affecting daily life

• mobility-related function

• equipment or daily living aid considerations

• maintaining independence at home and in the community

Support is always individualised and based on the person’s referral, presentation, environment and goals.

More than occupational therapy

Although this page focuses on occupational therapy for DVA clients, Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health also offers broader allied health support. Depending on the person’s needs, this may include:

Physiotherapy

Support with mobility, balance, rehabilitation, strength, transfers and physical function.

Exercise Physiology

Support with strength, endurance, physical capacity and structured exercise where clinically appropriate.

Speech Pathology

Support with communication, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing and mealtime concerns where relevant.

For some veterans, a coordinated allied health approach may be helpful across more than one area of function.

Our approach

At Palms, we aim to provide occupational therapy that is:

• practical

• respectful

• person-centred

• tailored to everyday life

• collaborative with GPs, family and other treating professionals where appropriate

We focus on what matters most to the individual, whether that is improving safety at home, making daily tasks more manageable, supporting independence, or helping the person function more comfortably in their usual environment.

Looking for DVA occupational therapy in Perth?

Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health provides occupational therapy services for eligible DVA clients in Perth, with clinic and mobile appointments available where suitable.

Contact our team to discuss referrals, appointment options and whether occupational therapy may be appropriate for your needs.