Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs network expansion into Tasmania

Tasmania

In the 2021–22 Federal Budget the Australian Government announced $5 million in funding to expand the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs network into Tasmania.

This announcement was part of the Australian Government’s broader budget commitment to establish a network of Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across Australia.

Approach for Tasmania network expansion

Consultation sessions were held by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 16, 17 and 23 March 2022, to discuss the outcomes and recommendations of the Tasmanian Feasibility Study, the implementation approach to the Veterans’ and 
Families’ Hubs network expansion and to identify potential grantees for the $5 million grant.

During the consultation sessions, participants were given the opportunity to share insights on the needs of Tasmanian veterans and families, and how service delivery could be improved through the hubs network expansion.

The consultation sessions also provided an opportunity for organisations to express their interest in receiving a grant to deliver wellbeing services as part of the expansion of the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs network into Tasmania.

Tasmania Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs expansion grants program

Applications for grant funding to expand the network into Tasmania opened on 23 March 2022 and closed on 21 April 2022. Organisations that indicated interest through the consultation process were invited to lodge a grant application.

To be considered for a grant, interested and eligible organisations needed to demonstrate their ability to deliver a range of wellbeing support services, in line with the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

RSL Tasmania has been confirmed as the preferred organisation to develop a business case for the network expansion into Tasmania.  A detailed business case aligned with the Grant Opportunity Guidelines will be developed and an assessment will determine final grant funding.

As with other hubs in the network, the business case should provide innovative ways to deliver integrated services to local veterans and families. The organisation will work with local stakeholders to ensure their service model, including location/s and outreach capability, best meets the needs of veterans and families across the region.

Additional grants program funding in Tasmania

On 23 December 2021, an additional commitment of $2.5 million was announced to further support the provision of wellbeing services and support to veterans and families in Tasmania, bringing the total funding for Tasmania to $7.5 million.

This commitment included $2.2 million for the North West Tasmanian Veterans Welfare Board in Burnie and $250,000 for RSL Launceston.

More information

If you wish to know more about the expansion of the network into Tasmania, please email veteransandfamilieshubs [at] dva.gov.au.