Research and Studies
Health research and social research publications
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs carries out a wide range of research to support the health and wellbeing needs of veterans and families of veterans. This page brings together a range of DVA commissioned research, evaluations and literature reviews.
Readers should note that some older publications may reflect the evidence base and policy context at the time they were produced and may not fully align with current research, practice, or priorities.
A list of current projects can be seen at Current Research Projects.
Review of SAS Veterans' Health Concerns
2003The Report of the Expert Panel to Review SAS Veterans’ Health Concerns and the Government's response were released in March 2004.
Australian Gulf War Veterans' Health Study
2003The Australian Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study was the first comprehensive health study of a group of Australian War veterans involved in a single theatre of war. It was conducted by a collaborative medical research team from the Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine at Monash University, Health Services Australia Ltd, the University of Western Australia, and The Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health at the University of Melbourne.
Cancer incidence study 2003: Australian veterans of the Korean War
2003The Cancer Incidence Study 2003: Australian Veterans of the Korean War was initiated by the Australian Government in May 2001.
Examination of the Potential Exposure of RAN Personnel to Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans via Drinking Water
2002The final report on the Examination of the Potential Exposure of RAN Personnel to Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans via Drinking Water, was submitted by the National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (ENTOX) and Queensland Health Scientific Services to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs in December 2002.
Veteran use of Aged Care services
2002Conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) in 2002, this report summarises the results of a study which examined the characteristics and service profile of recipients of Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs) who held a DVA gold or white card and compared this group and those who did not have a DVA gold or white card.
Firefighter Chemical Review — Extension to Review Additional Chemical Substances
Chemical Review (April 2018) to develop toxicological profiles for 132 chemicals listed as contaminants within the RAAF Base, Point Cook former fire training area.
The Firefighter Chemical Review – Extension to Review Additional Chemical Substances reviews an additional 78 chemicals.
Transition And Wellbeing Research Programme: Pathways to Care Report (2018)
This Pathways to Care Report is the second of eight reports and two papers that comprise the Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme, the most comprehensive study undertaken in Australia on the impact of military service on the mental, physical and social health of Transitioned and 2015 Regular Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families.
Review of DVA online professional development requirements and incentives
In response to the Senate Inquiry into suicide by veterans and ex-service personnel, The Constant Battle: Suicide by Veterans, DVA commissioned Healthcare Management Advisors to review the veteran-specific online professional development programs for mental health professionals.
Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme - Mental Health Prevalence Report (2018)
This report investigates the mental health symptoms among transitioned ADF members
The Mental Health Impacts of Compensation Claim Assessment Processes
As part of the Government response to the Senate Committee Report, ‘The Constant Battle: Suicide by Veterans’, DVA commissioned Monash University to undertake an independent study of the mental health impacts of compensation claim assessment processes on veterans engaging with DVA and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC).