FAQs

The earlier the better. Whether you’re a veteran or first responder, if you have a service-related injury or condition, a mental health concern, or you’re transitioning out of your service, we encourage you to reach out.

Yes—the care we provide within our four pillars is ongoing and continuous. We are not a general practice in the traditional sense; we don’t provide broad-scope primary care (colds, immunisations, etc.). What we do provide is ongoing GP care specifically in occupational injury, mental health care, lifestyle medicine, and transition support—and patients under our care in these areas remain under our ongoing management. See our services page for the full list of the care we offer.

You bet we are! Dr Badger is a specialist General Practitioner, a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) and registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

No problem – we run outreach clinics for veterans and first responders across Australia, based on demand, so we may be able to come to you.

Yes. Both Medicare and DVA require an initial face-to-face consultation before telehealth rebates or bulk billing can apply. After that, both Medicare and DVA require at least one face-to-face consultation every 12 months to continue accessing rebates or bulk billing via telehealth.

It depends. If you’re a current full-time ADF member, you’re not eligible to use a Medicare card. All other patients will need one.

You’re eligible for a Medicare rebate if you hold a valid Medicare card. Current serving ADF members are not eligible, but everyone else is, provided you’ve attended at least one face-to-face consultation in the previous 12 months.

If you’re a veteran, yes. You can find out how to apply for a DVA card on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website: https://www.dva.gov.au/access-benefits/veteran-card

As a private billing clinic, we offer billing pathways designed around the needs of veterans and first responders – including direct insurer invoicing for compensation claims and DVA bulk billing where eligible. Outside these arrangements, a private fee applies, with a Medicare rebate available for eligible consultations. See our fees for full details.

No. We have no connection to DVA or private insurers and can’t influence or speed up their processing times.

No – we don’t provide advocacy services, but we are experts in the medical reporting requirements. We provide independent specialist medical services throughout the DVA medical assessment process.

We see veterans with or without an advocate, and your advocate is welcome to refer you to us.

We don’t review or analyse medical documents to lodge a claim. Supporting medical evidence can strengthen a claim, and you’re welcome to locate and provide it yourself. If you’re working with a DVA advocate, they can help gather and organise relevant records.

If we need anything from you, we’ll let you know before your appointment.

No, we are an independent, privately run medical practice. We’re not owned, funded, or directed by any other organisation, and our assessments and reports are impartial and focused on the patient. We do connect with organisations in the veteran and first responder community who share our values, but we remain independent of these organisations. You can see who we work alongside here.