Veteran Wellbeing Centres

Last updated:

23 December 2021

Overview

In 2019, the Australian Government committed $30 million to develop a network of six Veteran Wellbeing Centres across Australia in partnership with ex-service organisations and state and territory governments. The centres focus on health and wellbeing and will be a welcoming hub for veterans and their families. They will connect veterans and their families to a range of services that include support for transition, employment, health and social connection.

Centres are being developed in Townsville, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Wodonga and Nowra. Each centre is at a different stage of development and we are working closely with the lead organisation in each location to maximise benefits for local veterans and their families.

All six centres are already delivering and coordinating services in their community.

In addition to the original six centres, the 2021–22 Federal Budget announced further funding to expand the Veteran Wellbeing Centre network into Queensland and Tasmania. Each location received $5 million. As the network develops, it presents opportunity for a national approach to delivering integrated support to veterans and their families through government, business and community partnerships.

DVA is funding the program through a grants process. The successful organisation (or consortium) is responsible for governance.

Role of Wellbeing Centres

Wellbeing describes how you feel about yourself and your life. It includes a complex combination of biological, lifestyle, socioeconomic, societal and environmental factors. Access to health care, welfare support and other interventions can greatly affect an individual’s sense of wellbeing. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018).

The aim of each Wellbeing Centre is to provide veterans and their families with greater access to wellbeing services and support in their local community. They act as a shopfront to provide simple and seamless access to relevant services. This includes support for transition, employment, health and social connection, and advocacy.

The centres will work closely with state and territory governments, ex-service organisation, businesses and other organisations. They will link veterans and their families to services that align with the needs and opportunities of the local area.

Existing Wellbeing Centres

Location	Address	Organisation
Perth	ANZAC House Veteran Central 28 St Georges Terrace Perth WA	RSLWA (lead organisation)
Adelaide	216 Daws Road Daw Park SA	In conjunction with SA Health (South Australian Government)
Townsville	The Oasis Townsville 1 Staging Camp Avenue Oonoonba QLD	The Oasis Townsville
Nowra	Unit 1, 19 Nowra Lane Nowra NSW (temporary premises)	RSL LifeCare (lead organisation)
Wodonga	Hume Veterans’ Information Centre 138 Melbourne Road Wodonga VIC (temporary premises)	RSL Victoria (lead organisation)
Darwin	SATEPAK House Suite 1A, 11 Palmerston Circuit Palmerston NT (temporary premises)	Mates4Mates (lead organisation)

Accessing Wellbeing Centres

All current and former serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, including reservists, and their families can access the centres and services they offer.

The organisations that operate from each centre will have their own guidelines and as such will put in place any relevant cost arrangements and charges.

Services provided

Each centre will provide services and support based on local needs and opportunities. These services may include, but are not limited to:

transition and employment support
ESO advocacy services
social connectedness
physical and mental health services
community engagement

Grant Opportunity Guidelines

The Grant Opportunity Guidelines provide further details about the grants program and the aims and objectives of the Veteran Wellbeing Centre network.

Centre regional differences

The lead organisations of each centre will consult with veterans, families and the local community to ensure services align with local needs and opportunities. They will also undertake ongoing evaluation to ensure the centre is responsive to local needs and priorities.

Network expansion to Tasmania and South East Queensland

In addition to the original six centres, the Australian Government announced funding as part of the 2021–22 Federal Budget, to expand the Veteran Wellbeing Centre (VWC) network into Tasmania and South East Queensland.

We have sought expressions of interest in South East Queensland for an organisation or consortium to lead this expansion of the network. Expression of interest applications closed on29 November 2021.

For more information about the expansion of the Veteran Wellbeing Centre network into South East Queensland please go to Wellbeing Centre network expanding into South East Queensland.

Consultation sessions for the expansion into Tasmania will commence in early 2022. For more information about the expansion of the Veteran Wellbeing Centre network into Tasmania please go to the dedicated Wellbeing Centre network expanding into Tasmania page.

Tasmanian feasibility study

In September 2020, DVA and the Tasmanian Government engaged the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to undertake a joint Feasibility Study into the potential for a veteran support service for the state.

The Tasmanian Veterans Needs Assessment and Wellbeing Support Service Feasibility Study is now available to download.

The feasibility study highlights the need for localised veteran support services to cater for a dispersed veteran community across Tasmania.

Community consultation was also a critical component of the study and informed the decision making about the most effective model for the delivery of veteran and family wellbeing services in Tasmania.

For more information about the expansion of the Veteran Wellbeing Centre network into Tasmania please go to the dedicated Wellbeing Centre network expanding into Tasmania page.

ACT feasibility study

The ACT Government and DVA undertook a joint feasibility study into how to best support the wellbeing of ACT veterans and their families.

DVA is working with the ACT Government to consider a way forward.

More information

For more information about the Wellbeing Centres Program, please email veteranswellbeingcentres [at] dva.gov.au