The Feet People are a registered provider of podiatry and foot care services to DVA clients.
DVA is an Australian Government department that provides support, services and information for people who have served in the defence of
Australia, and their families. This includes veterans and their dependants, serving and former ADF members, war widows/widowers,
participants in Australian/British nuclear testing, members of the Australian Federal Police, and other entitled persons.
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You may access DVA-funded podiatry services if you hold a Veteran Gold Card (for all clinically necessary conditions)
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White cardholders are eligible only for treatment of accepted service-related conditions (or conditions defined by DVA, such as
malignant neoplasia, pulmonary tuberculosis, mental health, or unidentifiable conditions arising within 15 years of service)
- Your DVA Health Card must be current (i.e. not expired) at time of treatment.
How to access DVA podiatry services
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You or your GP / medical specialist / hospital discharge planner / treating hospital doctor request a DVA
D904 (D0904) referral
directed to your podiatrist.
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That referral entitles you to an Allied Health Treatment Cycle of up to 12 sessions or 12 months,
whichever occurs first.
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At the conclusion of the cycle (or sooner, if clinically appropriate), your podiatrist prepares an End of Cycle Report to
your GP.
- If further treatment is needed, another referral must be issued for a new cycle.
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You may have separate
treatment cycles
concurrently for different allied health disciplines without them interfering.
What Podiatry Services We Provide
We understand that every patient is different, so our services are tailored to the individual. Both our podiatrists and our support team
take the time to understand your goals and work out ways to achieve them.
We provide (but are not limited to) the following, subject to DVA clinical / policy constraints:
- General skin and nail care (e.g. callus / corn care, fungal nails, basic nail cutting where eligible)
- Diabetic foot assessments and treatments (when clinically indicated)
- Custom orthoses / foot orthotics (within DVA rules)
- Pressure offloading / pain relief (for plantar fasciitis, bunions, ball-of-foot pain, arthritis, etc.)
- Ingrown toenail removal, plantar wart treatment
- Footwear assessments, footwear modification advice
- Prescription (not supply) of medical-grade footwear (if authorized)
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Use of appliances / aids through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP), where clinically justified and per DVA
contract suppliers
Some services or devices (e.g. orthotics beyond financial/quantity limits, specialized footwear, advanced modalities) require
prior approval
from DVA.
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Some orthotic or footwear items are restricted by treatment limits, or require prior financial authorisation
(especially if beyond standard allowances).
- Only one pair of orthoses may be provided at a time.
- Repairs/modifications made within the first 3 months are included in the initial fee; do not require additional claim.
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Toenail cutting (non-pathological) is claimable only under certain conditions (e.g. inability to self care, diabetes, anticoagulants)
- Surgical podiatry services are only covered if the specific surgical item is listed in the DVA Schedule.
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Telehealth (video / phone) is permitted only under conditions allowed by DVA (e.g. where full service can be delivered safely); initial
consultations generally must be in person.
Clinic Service
We are able to treat DVA clients at our clinic locations.
Cost to you
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Under DVA arrangements, we are required to accept the DVA
Schedule fee as full payment
— no additional “gap” is permitted for services within the DVA fee / scope.
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For services outside DVA scope or which are not clinically justified under DVA rules, out-of-pocket costs may apply,
and these will be discussed at your initial appointment.
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If a DVA claim is submitted incorrectly (or prior financial authorisation was required but not obtained), DVA may refuse payment or seek
recovery.
What We Need From You
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You must obtain a DVA D904 referral made out to [Your Clinic Name / The Feet People] from your GP, specialist, or
hospital discharge planner.
- Bring your valid DVA card and referral to your first appointment.
- If your treatment cycle ends, you will need a new referral for future sessions.
- Inform us if your White Card condition has changed, or if another podiatrist has treated you recently under DVA.
- Let us know if you receive a bill for a DVA-funded service — you should not be charged improperly.
Once you have this referral form, book an appointment with us to start your foot health journey.
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an appointment
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FAQs & Disclosures