Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST)
See also: Training and Information Program (TIP)
What is the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program
BEST is part of the government's commitment to support the role of ex-service organisations' (ESO) pensions and welfare practitioners and advocates. The BEST program assists by providing monetary support and IT equipment to ESO practitioners.
The aim of BEST is to provide support and resources to ESO practitioners for pensions and welfare work to assist veterans, past and present members of the Australian Defence Forces and their dependants. A major objective of BEST is to ensure high quality claims and appeals assistance by ESO practitioners, which in turn will assist the department in timely and appropriate processing.
What will funding be available for?
BEST funding can provide assistance for:
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salary costs for full or part time practitioners by ESOs
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salary costs for full or part time administrative support staff
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computer equipment used to assist ESO practitioners and
- consumables, running costs and other general costs relating to the lodgement of claims and appeals.
Who can apply for funding?
Bona fide ESOs that provide welfare and pension assistance to veterans, past and present members of the Australian Defence Forces and their dependants can apply for funding under BEST. In regional areas, where it is economically viable, the department encourages ESOs to explore the option of a cooperative project/centre taking advantage of two or more ESOs to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
When is funding available?
The lodgement dates for the 2008-09 round of BEST grants has changed. Applications will now be open from 1 February to 15 March 2008. When you have filled in your BEST application form, please return it to your nearest DVA address as listed in the application form.
See:
- Application form (PDF 400kb)
- BEST Guidelines (MS Word 90kb) [Current January 2008]
- Guide to completing the BEST application form
Alternatively, contact your nearest Department of Veterans’ Affairs state office.
To phone your nearest DVA office, ring the general enquiries phone number: 133 254.
Submitting your application
When you have filled in your BEST application form, please return it to your nearest DVA address, shown below:
| Sydney Centennial Plaza Tower B 280 Elizabeth Street GPO Box 3994 SYDNEY NSW 2001 |
Adelaide Blackburn House 199 Grenfell Street GPO Box 1652 Adelaide SA 5001 |
| Melbourne 300 Latrobe Street GPO Box 87A Melbourne VIC 3001 |
Perth AMP Building 140 St Georges Terrace GPO Box F352 Perth WA 6001 |
| Brisbane Bank of Queensland Centre 259 Queen Street GPO Box 651 Brisbane QLD 4001 |
Hobart 21 Kirksway Place Cnr Gladstone Street GPO Box 481 Hobart TAS 7001 |