Physiotherapists are treating Australian veterans at a loss
The APA continues to pursue the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and the Federal Government over funding models, fees and the role of physiotherapists in veterans’ health care. Little has been done by government bodies to enhance healthcare services for Australia’s veterans.
The repercussions are significant
Physiotherapy services for veterans are currently underfunded, with a shortfall of around $74 per consultation due to the low Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) fee. The current DVA model restricts treatment to one condition per day, failing to account for the complex, multifaceted health issues veterans’ face.
This model is unsustainable for physiotherapists and veterans alike
The results of our 2024 APA member survey indicate that things are not getting better.
Since 2023, the number of physiotherapists who have said they will have to stop or limit services to veterans has increased from 45 per cent to 68 per cent .
This at-risk group continues to face multiple complex health conditions, requiring multidisciplinary care and physiotherapists want to help, however underfunding models make this unviable.
These statistics continue to grow year-on-year and indicate an urgent need for reform.
READ THE 2024 SURVEY FACT SHEET
For more information, read the 2023 member survey report (PDF).
Act now to make change
The APA is calling for an immediate review of the DVA fee structure and care model to align the physiotherapy fee with Recommendation 71 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Final Report, ensuring veterans receive the timely, holistic care they deserve, without unnecessary financial and administrative barriers.
The key findings from this report indicate
How to help
- Download the toolkit
Download the social media toolkit and spread the word across your social media platforms.
- Share the informative flyer with patients and the general public
The APA has created this flyer to encourage a discussion where appropriate and provide a simple course of action for your patient to take, if they feel comfortable to do so. The QR code will direct patients to a landing page where they can easily email their local MP using a pre-prepared, though editable, template.
- Read the APA media releases
- APA calls for immediate government action to meet veterans' healthcare needs
- Veterans deserve better access to healthcare: DVA must act now
- Supporting Veterans' Access to Physiotherapy Care: A Call for Change.
- Email your local MP
Use the form below to easily email your local MP to ask for their support. Enter your postcode (or full address) to identify your federal electorate. You can use the pre-drafted email we’ve provided or you can customise the email with your own personal message. You’ll also receive a copy of the email to your personal email address.
PLEASE NOTE: We are aware of an infrequent issue for some users, where the email wording is cut off at the bottom. We are working to resolve this issue and apologise for any inconvenience. If you encounter this error, please try this trouble shooting advice in the interim:
- Please remove your postcode, refresh the page and highlight and copy the email body content.
- Then re-enter your postcode, fill in your personal details and then paste the email content back in the content box.
- If you are still experiencing issues, please contact us for further assistance.