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

Physiotherapy may be helpful for eligible veterans who need support with:

• mobility and walking difficulties

• balance and falls-related concerns

• strength and physical function

• rehabilitation after illness or reduced activity

• pain-related movement limitations

• transfers and day-to-day physical confidence

Our approach is practical, respectful and focused on function, participation and everyday life.

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is an allied health profession focused on movement, physical function, rehabilitation and mobility. For DVA clients, physiotherapy is provided under DVA’s referral and treatment arrangements and must be clinically appropriate to the person’s assessed needs. DVA’s current physiotherapy fee schedule includes items such as initial consultation and standard consultation, along with rules about how consultations can be claimed.

How physiotherapy may help

Mobility and walking

Physiotherapy may assist veterans who are experiencing difficulty with walking, changing positions, stairs, transfers, or general mobility in the home or community.

Strength and physical capacity

Physiotherapy may help support strength, endurance and confidence with movement where physical limitations are affecting daily tasks or participation.

Balance and falls-related concerns

For some people, physiotherapy may be useful where balance, steadiness or movement confidence are affecting safety and independence.

Rehabilitation and recovery

Some veterans may benefit from physiotherapy after illness, injury, reduced activity or hospitalisation, where rehabilitation support is clinically appropriate.

Pain-related movement difficulties

Physiotherapy may help people whose movement, mobility or function is being limited by pain or musculoskeletal issues, with treatment tailored to the person’s presentation and goals.

Clinic and mobile physiotherapy

We offer clinic-based physiotherapy 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 dedicated treatment environment

• benefit from access to equipment or a structured therapy setting

• want supervised treatment in a clinic space
  
  

Mobile visits

Mobile physiotherapy may be appropriate for people who:

• have difficulty travelling

• benefit from support in their own home

• need therapy linked to real-life daily routines and function

• require home-based review of mobility, transfers or safety
  
  

Referrals and DVA treatment cycles

DVA’s allied health services generally operate under a treatment cycle model. A referral to an allied health provider generally lasts for up to 12 sessions or one year, whichever ends first, and clients can have as many treatment cycles as their GP decides are clinically necessary. At the end of a treatment cycle, allied health providers generally report back to the client’s usual GP if further treatment may be needed.

DVA’s physiotherapy page also states that referrals to physiotherapy are under the allied health treatment cycle arrangements.

Important note for TPI Gold Card holders

DVA states that veterans with a TPI Gold Card are excluded from the treatment cycle for physiotherapy and exercise physiology only.

Gold Card and White Card considerations

Eligibility for treatment 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.

Important claiming considerations

DVA’s current physiotherapy fee schedule states that:

• a standard consultation cannot be claimed on the same day as an initial consultation for the same client

• two consultations cannot be claimed on the same day in routine circumstances.

That means treatment planning and appointment structure should be based on the DVA schedule and the person’s clinical needs.

Who we may support

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

• reduced mobility

• balance concerns

• musculoskeletal pain affecting function

• rehabilitation after illness or inactivity

• physical deconditioning

• transfers and everyday movement

• maintaining independence at home and in the community

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

More than physiotherapy

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

Occupational Therapy

Support with self-care, home setup, fatigue management, equipment needs, mobility-related function and independence at home.

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 physiotherapy that is:

• practical

• respectful

• person-centred

• tailored to everyday function

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

We focus on what matters most to the individual, whether that is moving more confidently, improving mobility, managing physical limitations, or staying active and independent.

Looking for DVA physiotherapy in Perth?

Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health provides physiotherapy 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 physiotherapy may be appropriate for your needs.