This page helps you understand what to expect when leaving hospital, including things to check, questions you might want to ask, and where to find support once you’re home. 

Leaving hospital can feel like a positive step, but it can also be a time of adjustment. If you’re managing ongoing health, mental health, or life challenges, it’s important to know you don’t have to do it alone—support is available to help you feel safe, confident and supported at home.  

For veterans and families of veterans, leaving hospital is not the end of support—it’s an important time for ongoing care and connection. This is often when clear information, coordinated support, and guidance on what comes next can make a real difference in feeling safe and supported at home.  

What discharge means 

Hospital discharge is when you leave hospital and continue your recovery at home or in the community. This can include: 

• Returning home 
• Moving to short‑term or supported accommodation 
• Transitioning to community‑based health care or wellbeing services 

Everyone’s situation is different, and discharge plans should reflect your health needs, home environment, family situation, and support network. 

Before you leave hospital 

Before you leave hospital, it can help to make sure you understand your care plan and what support is in place. You may want to check that you have: 

• Information about your medications and how to take them 
• Details of any follow-up appointments or referrals 
• Advice about warning signs and when to get help 
• Contact details for services or people you can call if you have questions 
• A chance to ask questions or raise concerns before you leave 

Questions to ask before you leave 

If you’re unsure about your discharge plan, it can help to ask questions before you leave hospital. You may want to ask: 

• What support will I need when I get home? 
• What medications do I need to take, and how should I take them? 
• Do I have any follow-up appointments or referrals? 
• Who can I contact if I have questions or my condition gets worse? 
• What warning signs should I look out for? 

Support after hospital 

Some people need extra help in the days and weeks after discharge. This may be especially true if they’ve experienced: 

• A mental health crisis 
• Serious illness or injury 
• Social isolation, housing stress or financial pressure 
• Difficulty navigating services on their own 

Support may come from health providers, community services, veteran support programs, or wellbeing organisations.  Engaging with these types of supports may help reduce setbacks and make recovery feel more manageable.  

Planning for discharge 

Planning for discharge means making sure the right support is in place before you leave hospital. It should reflect your needs, circumstances and recovery goals. It may involve hospital staff, family, carers and community services. 

• Support that matches your health needs, home situation and recovery goals 
• Coordination between hospital teams, follow-up care and community services 
• Support for mental health and emotional wellbeing 
• The role families or carers may play after discharge 

If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to speak up, ask questions or request extra support before leaving hospital. 

If you are a veteran or family member

If you are a Gold Card holder, you may be able to access treatment for all your health needs after leaving hospital. If you are a White Card holder, support may be available for accepted service-related conditions, and in some cases, for mental health care. 

Depending on your needs and eligibility, you may also be able to receive nursing or support services at home to help with your recovery. 

Support continues after you leave hospital. You don’t have to manage this transition on your own help is available to support your recovery, wellbeing, and connection to the right services at the right time. 

If you’re supporting someone else 

Families, carers and support networks often play an important role during discharge and recovery. You can: 

• Ask to be involved in discharge planning (with consent) 
• Seek information about support services for carers 
• Reach out for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure what to do next 

Looking after someone else also means looking after yourself. 

Where to get support 

You may be able to get help from the following services and organisations after leaving hospital: 

• Healthdirect – general information about leaving hospital, discharge planning, recovery, and where to get health support in Australia. 
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) – information about Veteran Gold Card and White Card entitlements, treatment, and support services. 
• DVA Community Nursing – in-home nursing and personal care, refer to page for eligibility criteria.  
• Carer Gateway – practical support, counselling, respite, and information for carers. 
• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling – free and confidential mental health and wellbeing support including counselling, care coordination, peer support, group programs and digital health initiatives for veterans and the families of veterans.