A national peak body for veteran serving organisations

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide recognised the important role played by organisations across the veteran support ecosystem. It also identified a need for greater collaboration, coordination and representation across organisations that support veterans and the families of veterans.

Recommendation 89 calls for the establishment of a national peak body for Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs). DVA continues to support the sector to establish a national peak body that will improve outcomes for veterans and families by strengthening representation and collaboration, raising service standards and organisational capability, and supporting evidence-informed policy and practice.

Consultation and co-design

The proposed model for a national peak body was shaped through extensive consultation and co-design with veterans, military family members, veteran serving organisations, subject matter experts and other stakeholders from across the veteran and peak body landscape.

During 2024 and 2025, DVA engaged the Nous Group to undertake a national consultation and co-design process.  This included 32 online sessions, 4 co-design workshops, and an online submissions portal and survey open to all interested parties. The work considered previous findings, comparable Australian and international models and the sector’s challenges and opportunities, including options for the peak body’s governance and functions.

Building on this work, DVA engaged Mr Nick Booth in 2026 as an independent Special Adviser to undertake further consultation, build broad sector support and develop a practical model and pathway for establishing the peak body. The Peak Body Project engaged more than 170 veteran serving organisations, consultative forums, government and independent bodies, research organisations, peak bodies and subject matter experts, with almost 500 individuals taking part.

The consultation deliberately sought perspectives from across the veteran support sector, including large national organisations, federated entities and smaller organisations supporting contemporary veterans, families of veterans, women veterans and First Nations veterans.

The Peak Body Project concluded on 14 August 2026. It found that establishing a national peak body for veteran serving organisations is achievable and broadly supported across the sector. Drawing on consultation, co-design and expert advice, the project developed the proposed legal and operational foundations and a practical blueprint for establishing the peak body.

Proposed functions

The peak body is proposed to undertake five core functions:

• Policy and representation: strengthening policy development and providing a unified sector voice.
• Raising standards: improving service standards and strengthening governance and capability across the sector.
• Sector collaboration: strengthening connections, cooperation and shared learning among veteran serving organisations.
• Research and knowledge translation: translating research and evidence into practice  to support better outcomes for veterans and families of veterans.
• Media and public engagement: providing a coordinated public voice on issues affecting veterans and families of veterans.

These functions would be introduced progressively as the peak body develops its capability and capacity.

Proposed structure

The proposed model would establish the peak body as an independent, not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG). This structure provides a strong governance framework and would allow the organisation to seek registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and apply for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.

The proposed model includes:

• a membership base of eligible organisations
• a representative Council of Members
• a skills-based Board of Directors
• committees and communities of practice, as required.

The peak body would operate independently of government and any individual organisation, while providing a mechanism for organisations across the sector to work collectively. Foundational documents, including a draft constitution and operational plan, have been developed to provide a practical starting point for the inaugural Board.

Further information about the proposed structure, governance and operation of the peak body is available in the Peak Body Business Plan at a Glance.

Funding and sustainability

The proposed funding model is designed to support the peak body’s long-term sustainability through a diverse mix of revenue sources, which may include government funding, membership contributions, appropriate contract work, philanthropy and private sector support.

Next steps

Following completion of the project, Mr Nick Booth continues to support initial establishment activities.

The inaugural Board of Directors is being established through an Expression of Interest process, supported by an independent selection panel of suitably qualified and respected individuals.

Once appointed, the inaugural Board will lead the establishment of the peak body, including progressing its governance and operational arrangements.