The Australian Government's Veterans' Home Care (VHC) program will continue to provide care services to more than 70,000 veterans and war widows as part of a successful program to assist them to remain living in their own homes for longer. A nation-wide tender process has been undertaken for the delivery of Veterans' Home Care services. This is the first time such a review has occurred since the start of the program in 2001.

DVA currently contracts 300 organisations across Australia to assess veterans and war widows and widowers for Veterans' Home Care services and to deliver those services. These contracts are due to expire at the end of
2006. As a result of the tender process, which was undertaken in June 2006, and which was conducted in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines, some existing VHC assessment agencies and service providers will no longer be contracted to provide these services on behalf of DVA.

For some veterans new contract arrangements may result in changes to care workers delivering their VHC services, however, existing levels of service in all regions of Australia will continue. Mr Billson has reassured members of the veteran community that there is no uncertainty about the continued provision of their services as a result of the tender process. "Transition arrangements are in place to minimise the impact on any veterans, widows and widowers affected and to ensure that their needs are fully accommodated," he said.

The Australian Government remains fully committed to Veterans' Home Care, with more than $90M allocated to the program during 2006/07, in addition to the over $385M allocated to the program since it's inception in 2001. Veterans may contact the Veterans' Home Care program by ringing DVA on 133 254 or 1800 555 254.