DVA Community Nursing, done right
Essential Life Care is a DVA Community Nursing provider based in Wyndham Vale, Melbourne. This page explains who we are, what DVA Community Nursing is, the clinical services we deliver, and how eligibility and DVA support work.
We welcome DVA clients
Community nursing across Victoria
Built for those who served
Essential Life Care was founded on a simple belief: Australia's veterans deserve professional, consistent and genuinely compassionate nursing care at home. We built our service to meet that need — with direct clinical oversight, experienced registered nurses and a deep respect for those who served.
We deliver nursing services to the veteran community under the DVA Community Nursing Program. We welcome DVA clients — DVA Health Cards (Gold and White) are accepted as payment upon a GP referral.
"Australia's veterans have given so much. The least we can do is make sure they receive exceptional nursing care in the comfort of their own home — with dignity, and without the burden of paperwork."
Clinically required nursing, in your own home
The DVA Community Nursing Program provides nursing and personal care services delivered in your own home by registered nurses, enrolled nurses and personal care workers — when a GP or treating doctor has identified a clinical need.
Care delivered where you live
Rather than travelling to a clinic, a qualified nurse comes to you. Your care is guided by a written nursing care plan, prepared after an in-home assessment and reviewed regularly in consultation with you and your GP.
- Delivered in your own home
- Clinical decisions made by registered nurses
- Coordinated with your GP
- Reviewed as your needs change
Who it's for
DVA Community Nursing supports veterans and war widow(er)s who have an assessed clinical need for nursing or personal care at home.
- DVA Gold Card holders
- DVA White Card holders (accepted condition)
- War widow(er)s eligible under DVA entitlements
What our registered nurses deliver at home
Every service below is delivered as assessed and outlined in your written nursing care plan. Expand any card to see exactly what's included.
Expert Wound Management & Medication Administration
Our registered nurses bring sterile, hospital-grade wound dressing and precise medication setup directly to your home — preserving comfort and hygiene every day.
Wound Care & Dressings
Evidence-based wound management delivered by registered nurses, with dressings, monitoring and a documented healing plan.
What's included
- Surgical and post-operative wound care
- Pressure injury prevention and management
- Leg and venous ulcer management
- Skin tears and fragile skin care
- Compression bandaging where clinically indicated
- Wound photography and healing progress notes
Medication Management
Safe, accurate medication support from qualified nurses, coordinated directly with your GP and pharmacist.
What's included
- Administration of prescribed medication
- Webster-pak and dose administration aid setup
- Prompting and supervision for self-administration
- Insulin and injectable medication administration
- Medication education for you and your family
- Compliance monitoring and GP liaison
Health & Nursing Assessments
Comprehensive clinical assessment to establish your care plan, then regular reviews as your health needs change.
What's included
- Initial in-home nursing assessment
- Vital signs and clinical observations
- Pain assessment and management planning
- Falls risk and functional assessment
- Continence and skin integrity assessment
- Written care plan with scheduled reviews
Post-Hospital Recovery
Nursing support to help you recover safely at home after a hospital admission, surgery or procedure.
What's included
- Discharge care plan implementation
- Post-surgical wound and drain care
- Mobility and recovery support
- Monitoring for post-operative complications
- Coordination with hospital discharge planners
- Transition to ongoing GP-referred care
Palliative & Comfort Care
Compassionate nursing that prioritises comfort, dignity and quality of life for clients with life-limiting conditions.
What's included
- Symptom and pain management support
- Comfort and positioning care
- Coordination with your palliative care team
- Family support, guidance and education
- Respectful end-of-life nursing care
- 24/7 clinical advice and on-call support
Clinical Procedures
Registered-nurse procedures delivered at home, so you avoid unnecessary trips to a clinic or hospital.
What's included
- Injections and subcutaneous medication
- Catheter care and changes
- Stoma care and support
- Continence device management
- Blood glucose monitoring and diabetes support
- Suture and staple removal
Dignity in every visit
Delivered by trained personal care workers
Dignified personal care, delivered gently
Personal care workers provide respectful assistance with daily personal care tasks, as assessed and approved under your DVA nursing care plan.
Showering & Hygiene
Respectful, safe assistance with bathing, showering and personal grooming — always at your pace, with your dignity first.
Dressing Assistance
Help with dressing and undressing, including compression stockings and adaptive clothing where needed.
Continence Support
Discreet, sensitive continence care, product guidance and skin protection from trained personal care workers.
Oral & Personal Grooming
Assistance with oral hygiene, shaving, hair and nail care as clinically required under your care plan.
Do you hold a DVA Gold or White Card?
Eligibility comes down to two things: an assessed clinical need for nursing or personal care at home, and a valid DVA Health Card.
Gold Card holders
If you hold a DVA Gold Card, you may be eligible for community nursing where a GP or treating doctor has assessed a clinical need for care at home.
White Card holders
If you hold a DVA White Card, you may be eligible where the nursing care relates to an accepted service-related condition.
How payment works
DVA Health Cards (Gold and White) are accepted as payment upon a GP referral.
We handle the paperwork
We liaise with your GP and the Department of Veterans' Affairs and manage the referral administration — so you can focus on your care.
A written care plan
A registered nurse prepares a personalised written nursing care plan, and reviews it regularly with you as your needs change.
Works with your other supports
DVA Community Nursing can sit alongside a Home Care Package, as long as the same service isn't funded twice. We coordinate with your other providers.
Important
If you have any questions about payment arrangements for DVA community nursing services, contact DVA or visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.
Nine promises we keep, every single visit
Dignity
Every veteran we support is treated with the utmost respect and professionalism.
Choice
You have a say in your care. We listen, involve you and tailor your plan to your preferences.
Consistency
Familiar nurses and carers — the same trusted faces, every visit.
Compassion
Kindness and empathy are at the heart of every interaction.
Honesty
Clear, plain-language conversations — no jargon, no surprises.
Cultural Respect
We honour your background, beliefs and preferences in everything we do.
Safety
Clinically trained, police-checked, insured and fully DVA-registered.
Independence
We support your ability to live well at home — on your terms.
Community
Care that keeps you connected to the people and places you love.
Wondering if DVA Community Nursing is right for you?
If you hold a DVA Gold or White Card and have nursing care needs, we'd love to talk. One unhurried phone call — no forms, no jargon, just clear answers.