Overview
While cycling one morning, Navy veteran Alex Hale was struck from behind by a speeding 100km/hr vehicle. The impact resulted in paralysis, and Alex’s world was instantly upended. His future, expected to be grounded in service and routing, became uncertain. He was considering retirement, in which he might permanently lose his daily independence.
However, the direction of his recovery shifted through a dedicated exercise physiology program. The structured rehabilitation plan focused on rebuilding musculoskeletal strength to regain functional independence.
Alex’s journey highlights the reality among former ADF members–recovery is a continuous process of adaptation. It is about re-engaging with your community and rebuilding your confidence. Whether a life-altering injury confronts you, or you need to manage the wear-and-tear of years of service, a custom exercise program for veterans can serve as a bridge to help you maintain your quality of life.
In 2026, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) remains steadfast in ensuring that physical health wellbeing programs for its participants are readily accessible for a long-term period.
If you are a veteran—or a family member with a DVA Gold or White card—get to know more about DVA-funded exercises and your eligibility as part of your routine to maintain your physical health and independence.
Understanding DVA-Funded Exercise Physiology
DVA is more than managing an acute injury; it provides comprehensive access to exercise physiology that accentuates evidence-based movement and is guided by allied health professionals.
Accredited Exercise Physiologists (EP) are university-trained and work within a clinical framework. Unlike standard gym trainers, EPs prescribe clinical exercises customised according to your specific health needs.
For veterans, these accredited professionals can design well-researched, science-based programs that are safe and specifically consider their long-term physical needs.
A GP referral enables a DVA Gold Card or a White Card (for specific conditions) to be eligible for fully funded sessions. This movement-based intervention focuses on your physical health and wellbeing, to help you manage pain and improve your mobility.
Key Benefits: Why Veterans Need Exercise Physio Programs
Serving under ADF places extraordinary stress on the body. Specific load-bearing duties as part of everyday routines and other repetitive tasks can accelerate joint and connective tissue aging.
A standard approach to service-related injuries may not address underlying clinical complexities. A veteran rehabilitation strategy is an appropriate pathway that considers your service history while focusing on your long-term health and sustained mobility.
Managing Service-Related Chronic Pain (Knees, Back, Shoulders)
After years of jumping out of the back of trucks, carrying loads, or working in the cramped confines of a ship, the body takes a toll. Veterans consider themselves earning “silver medals” when they experience osteoarthritis in the knees and chronic lower back pain following years of service.
An Exercise Physiology Program for Veterans works to strengthen the stabilising muscles around affected joints and to improve alignment. The aim is to reduce joint load and improve the body’s functional capacity. This research-based approach can improve your daily comfort without dependence on pain relievers because EPs address the root cause of the pain.
Improving Mobility and Functional Independence
“Functional Independence” is a clinical term, but what it really means is the ability to live on your own and move freely.
Drive your car without neck pain.
Walk to the local shops without having to sit down to rest frequently.
Get up from the floor on your own.
EPs are here to provide the necessary clinical support you need and to sustain your autonomy for as long as possible.
Mental Health: Exercise for PTSD, Anxiety, and Better Sleep
Physical health and mental health are intertwined. For veterans exhibiting PTSD or anxiety, gym environments might morph into stressors–it’s loud, crowded, too many mirrors and eyes.
Clinical research shows that supervised exercise physiology enables the release of endorphins and BDNF, “Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor”, which regulates mood and improves the quality of sleep.
Engaging in a clinic like Healthstin provides a people-first environment–where we give the utmost importance to social connection and where you are understood by peers who know what you’re going through.
EP Insight: “We don’t do boot camps. We do clinical recovery. We understand that for a veteran, ‘pushing through the pain’ was a job requirement. Here, we teach you how to listen to your body so you can stay active for the next thirty years, not just the next thirty minutes.” — Lead EP, Healthstin.
Looking for Support Beyond Exercise?
Many of our veterans and their families also navigate the NDIS for non-service-related disabilities or for family members. Learn more about NDIS support services at Healthstin here.
What Does a Healthstin Veteran Exercise Program Include?
When you participate in an exercise program for veterans at Healthstin, you will undergo a comprehensive clinical assessment in which our accredited practitioners review your injury history, movement patterns, and personal targets. We would like to know your baseline so you can safely and easily start the program.
Tailored Strength and Resistance Training
This intervention turns toward “functional strength”, not bodybuilding. By utilising resistance bands, light weights, and specialised equipment, we get to build the muscle mass needed to support skeletal health. This approach is essential in supporting metabolic health and sustaining bone density as we age.
Hydrotherapy: Low-Impact Recovery in Water
Land-based exercises can aggravate spinal issues and chronic joint pains. By turning to hydrotherapy, the buoyancy of water reduces your body weight, allowing you to perform the necessary strengthening exercises in a temperature-controlled environment.
Fall Prevention and Balance Exercises for Aging Veterans
The veterans’ exercise program addresses the statistical findings that show that falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisations for Australians over 65. This program includes various balance training and lower-body exercises. They are designed to improve stability and your reflexes to maintain balance.
Who is Eligible for the DVA Exercise Program?
Below is a breakdown of how DVA card types usually work:
DVA Card Eligibility Table
|
Card Type |
What’s Covered |
Requirements |
|
Gold Card |
All clinically necessary exercise physiology. |
A D904 referral from your GP. |
|
White Card |
Exercise physiology for accepted conditions. |
Condition must be service-related & GP-referred. |
|
Long-Term Support |
Ongoing cycles of care (12 sessions). |
Regular GP check-ins to renew the referral. |
Gold Card Holders
Gold Card holders can find funds for exercise physiology under DVA. It will cover programs that are clinically necessary for your health conditions, including diabetes, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and heart health.
White Card Holders (Specific Conditions)
White Card holders can seek DVA funding for specific conditions resulting from their military service. Examples include bilateral knee osteoarthritis or non-specific low back pain. To confirm your eligibility, check whether your disability is listed on your card.
How to Get Started: The 3-Step Referral Process
We’ve simplified the process for veterans who want to start their exercise program. Just follow these steps.
- Visit Your GP: See your local doctor to discuss your clinical needs.
- Request a D904 Referral Form: Ask your GP for a referral to an Exercise Physiologist. Mention your intention to attend Healthstin. They will provide a D904 form, which is basically your banknote from DVA to fund your treatment.
- Contact Healthstin: With your referral on hand, you can go ahead and call us–or you can book online. We will handle the DVA billing and paperwork directly. You will have $0 out-of-pocket expenses for your clinically necessary sessions.
Why Choose Healthstin for Your Veteran Health Journey?
At Healthstin, we understand how to manage the administrative requirements across your treatment cycle, so you won’t be stressed about it.
- Veteran-Aware Practitioners: Our staff understands the unique organisational culture and physical demands of ADF. We will never ask you to perform “burpees” when your knees are shot. Instead, we look for alternative clinical exercises to address your specific injuries and goals.
- Feel-at-home Facilities: Whether you are visiting us in Melbourne or Sydney, we have designed our clinics to make you feel at ease, with professionals guiding you through your clinical rehabilitation every step of the way.
- A “Squad” Environment: You can join small-group sessions to train alongside other veterans. Banter, reminisce, and connect with a familiar crowd can be just as satisfying as the exercises and can be a powerful supplement to your treatment.
Mick, 68, Army Veteran
“When I first came to Healthstin, I couldn’t walk 200 meters without my lower back flaring up. I thought my ‘active’ days were over. My EP didn’t treat me like an old man. During treatment, I felt like an athlete who just needed a tune-up. Six months later, I’m back on the bowling green and, more importantly, I can pick up my grandson without wincing. The “D904″ process was the best thing I ever did.”
Note: DVA Health Cards (Gold and White) are accepted as payment upon a GP referral. All exercise physiology services are provided in accordance with the DVA Treatment Cycle.
Healthstin provides exercise programs for veterans across multiple states in Australia.
- Sans Souci, NSW – Supporting southern Sydney residents
- Hurstville, New South Wales (NSW) – Conveniently located for serving the St George community
- Salisbury & Elizabeth, South Australia (SA) – Accessible for Adelaide’s northern suburbs
- Brimbank & Melton, Victoria (VIC) – Supporting communities in Melbourne’s west
- Belmont, Western Australia (WA) – Expanding to meet growing local demand
Our team can deliver therapy in our clinics, in your home, or within the community.
Know Someone Who Could Benefit Our Services?
Help someone take the first step. If you know a friend, a former subbie, or a loved one who is struggling to stay active or feeling socially isolated, we make the referral process simple. Whether they need a veteran’s exercise program or university-trained disability support, we’ll help them navigate the D904 or NDIS requirements with ease.
Refer Someone Today and help them start their path to better health and independence.
FAQ about Exercise Program for Veterans
Is there a limit to how many sessions I can have?
The DVA follows a “Treatment Cycle” model, where you can receive 12 sessions or one year (whichever comes first) from a GP referral. At the end of the 12 sessions, you will get a comprehensive “report” to your GP. If they think you still need more treatment to meet your health goals, they can write a new referral. Currently, there is no hard “cap” on the total number of cycles you can receive for chronic conditions. The cap applies only when your clinical goal is reached.
Does the DVA pay for gym memberships?
Generally, no. The DVA supports clinical exercise physiology, which is a goal-oriented, professionally supervised clinical treatment. They do not typically fund self-managed commercial gym memberships. However, expect the value of having an accredited professional guide you through each session to be significantly higher for long-term health and injury management than a solo gym membership, as it helps ensure your body is rehabilitated safely and effectively.
Can I receive treatment at home via Telehealth?
Yes. We can provide supervised clinical exercise physiology sessions via a secure video link. If you have mobility issues that make it difficult to reach our Sydney or Melbourne clinics, as long as your GP referral includes Telehealth services.
Claim Your DVA Health Assessment
Don’t let service-related injuries set the terms of your retirement life. Manage chronic pain, sustain your mobility, maintain your mood and mental health–you can do all of these and more if you’re willing to join the exercise program for veterans. This clinically-backed program is designed to support your health and wellbeing following your service.
Start your journey. Healthstin is here to help you get through the D904 process and start moving again.
