Information for DVA contracted Community Nursing providers
To provide community nursing services to DVA clients, you must:
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be contracted through the Community Nursing Program
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adhere to the Community Nursing Program requirements, and
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have a current DVA Community Nursing provider number.
If you are not a contracted Community Nursing provider but wish to apply, refer to How to become a DVA approved community nursing provider.
Back to topKey documents
All contracted Community Nursing providers must read, understand and comply with the Terms and Conditions, Notes for Community Nursing and Schedule of Fees, which are all non-negotiable.
Notes for Community Nursing Providers (the Notes)
The Notes outline the Community Nursing Program requirements that providers must adhere to when delivering services. Providers are responsible for ensuring all staff delivering services are aware of and comply with the requirements set out in the Notes.
The current version of the Notes is effective from 1 July 2025.
- Notes for Community Nursing Providers (PDF 1.71 MB)
- Notes for Community Nursing Providers (DOCX 1.12 MB)
Community Nursing Schedule of Fees
The Schedule of Fees are the set fees that compensate a DVA contracted Community Nursing providers for the costs associated with the provision of Community Nursing services in each 28-day claim period. These fees are non-negotiable.
The cost components covered by the fees for the provision of community nursing services include:
- face-to-face time
- travel time
- general and administrative time
- labour on-costs
- overheads
- profit margin
- ‘nurse’s toolbox’ consumables.
When changes are applied to the Schedule of Fees (for e.g. annual indexation), the revised fees take effect for claim periods commencing on or after the date the change is applied.
Effective 1 July 2025:
Effective 1 March 2025:
Effective 1 January 2025:
Effective 1 July 2024:
Effective 1 January 2024:
Effective 1 November 2023:
Effective 1 July 2023:
Back to topCommencement and delivery of services
It is each providers responsibility to source referrals for potential clients. DVA generally do not refer clients unless there is a transition from an existing provider or specific client request.
On receipt of a valid referral from an authorised referrer, DVA contracted Community Nursing providers should:
- check the client’s eligibility to receive DVA Community Nursing services
- contact the client and arrange a time to undertake a face-to-face comprehensive nursing assessment
- develop a care plan for services that are within scope of the Community Nursing Program
- commence delivery of clinically required nursing and personal care needs to the client in their home.
Services that are provided within limits of the Schedule of Fees, should commence as soon as possible and do not require prior approval from DVA.
The Schedule of Fees allows contracted community nursing providers to deliver services and claim retrospectively at the end of each 28-day claim period. Clinical and personal care core, add-on and second care worker items may be claimed for up to 84 visits per 28-day claim period (i.e. up to three visits per day plus add-on items).
Where required services exceed the Schedule of Fees, an Exceptional Case application should be submitted. Services within the limits of the Schedule of Fees should continue to be provided until approval for the Exceptional Case has been granted.
After hours / weekends and public holidays
As the DVA office is closed outside of business hours, over the weekend and on public holidays, Community Nursing providers should continue to deliver clinically required nursing services for eligible DVA clients under standard arrangements, in line with the Notes for Community Nursing Providers and the Schedule of Fees.
Back to topExceptional Case applications
A small number of DVA clients may require nursing care that falls outside the Schedule of Fees. To ensure these clients receive the community nursing services they require, individual cases are assessed through the Exceptional Case process.
If you have submitted an Exceptional Case application, DVA will review the documentation submitted and will endeavour to provide an outcome within 10 business days. Refer to the Exceptional Case page for further details.
Urgent Exceptional Case requests
Where urgent circumstances apply regarding the commencement of care outside of the Schedule of Fees, such as end-of-life palliative care, DVA contracted Community Nursing providers can seek urgent Exceptional Case approval. Refer to the Exceptional Case page for details.
Urgent Exceptional Case requests outside DVA business hours
If an eligible client requires urgent care to commence outside of DVA usual business hours, and the clinically required care exceeds what can be provided under the Schedule of Fees, DVA contracted Community Nursing providers should deliver necessary care that is within scope of the Community Nursing Program.
The provider must immediately advise DVA in writing prior to the care commencing. Refer to the Exceptional Case page for details.
Back to topClaiming
As a DVA contracted Community Nursing provider, it is your responsibility to check your client’s eligibility before you provide services and to ensure that your Community Nursing provider number is current.
DVA contracted Community Nursing providers can claim for services retrospectively at the end of each 28-day claim period using item numbers listed on the Schedule of Fees.
All claims for community nursing services are processed and paid through Medicare (Services Australia) and providers must have a current Community Nursing provider number issued by DVA. Medicare pay claims on DVAs behalf for both online and manual claiming options.
For further information on claiming, refer to Claiming for community nursing services.
Back to topPerformance monitoring
DVA requires all Community Nursing providers to take part in performance monitoring processes, to help ensure quality and safe services are being delivered to DVA clients. These processes include contract management activities, quality and safety audits and post payment monitoring.
Further information on these processes can be found in the Notes and in the Frequently Asked Questions – Community Nursing Provider Quality Improvements.
- Frequently Asked Questions – CN Provider Quality Improvements (PDF 623 KB)
- Frequently Asked Questions – CN Provider Quality Improvements (DOCX 124 KB)
Community Nursing Newsletters
The Community Nursing Newsletters are issued to all Community Nursing providers to provide updates on the Community Nursing Program including changes to the Notes and updates to the Schedule of Fees. Provider contact details should remain current to enable receipt of the Community Nursing Newsletters.
You can find the latest versions here: Community Nursing Newsletters.
Back to topEnquiries
If you have any enquiries relating to the Community Nursing Program (e.g. the Notes, Schedule of Fees, claiming, Exceptional Cases) please email the Community Nursing Program team at nursing@dva.gov.au
If you have any enquiries relating to performance monitoring (e.g. quality and safety audits, quality improvement, post payment monitoring) please email the Community Nursing Quality team at CN.Program.Quality@dva.gov.au
If you have any enquiries relating to your Community Nursing contract (e.g. Terms & Conditions, contact details, sub-contracting arrangements) please email community.nursing.contracts@dva.gov.au
Back to topUpdate your provider details
We need to make sure Community Nursing providers receive important information and resources. To do this we ask that you keep your organisation contact details current. This should be someone who can easily circulate information (e.g. updates to the Nots, Newsletters etc.) to relevant staff working within your organisation.
Complete this form to update your contact details:
- Update details — Community Nursing Providers (PDF 471 KB)
- Update details — Community Nursing Providers (DOCX 35 KB)
Once completed, send the form to community.nursing.contracts@dva.gov.au
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