Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs
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On this page
- Further expansion of the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub network
- Background
- Consultation for the network expansion
- Network expansion to Southeast Queensland and Tasmania
- Role of Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs
- Existing Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs
- Accessing Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs
- Services provided
- Grant Opportunity Guidelines
- Hub regional differences
- Tasmanian feasibility study
- ACT feasibility study
- More information
Further expansion of the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub network
In the 25 October 2022 Budget, the Australian Government invested $46.7 million for 10 additional Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country, more than doubling the size of the existing network.
Eight new hubs will be established in the following locations:
- Hawkesbury region, New South Wales;
- Hunter region, New South Wales;
- Tweed/North Coast region, New South Wales;
- Queanbeyan, New South Wales;
- Ipswich, Queensland;
- Northern Adelaide, South Australia;
- Southwest Perth, Western Australia; and
- Surf Coast/Geelong region, Victoria.
The commitment also continues the expansion into Southeast Queensland and Tasmania.
At this stage, no lead organisations have been identified for the new hubs. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will work closely with key stakeholders in each of the new locations to determine the most suitable organisations to lead the establishment and ongoing operations of the hubs. Completion of the new hubs is expected by mid-2025, with services to veterans and families likely to be provided before this time.
As the network develops, it presents an opportunity to improve the coordination and delivery of integrated support to veterans and families through government, business and community partnerships.
Funding under this program will be provided via grant processes administered by DVA. More information on the grant opportunities will be available during the consultation sessions detailed below.
Please see more information below regarding the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs program. For further queries please email: veteransandfamilieshubs [at] dva.gov.au
Back to topBackground
In 2019, $30 million was committed to develop a network of six Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs (formerly known as Veteran Wellbeing Centres) across Australia, in partnership with ex-service organisations and state and territory governments. The hubs deliver integrated support to veterans and families and offer a one-stop shop for local veteran services, including wellbeing support, advocacy, employment and housing advice, social connection and physical and mental health services.
The hubs are open to all current and former serving ADF members, including reservists and their families.
Hubs have now been established in Perth, Townsville, and Adelaide. In Darwin, Wodonga and Nowra, services are being provided through temporary premises while construction or refurbishment works on their permanent buildings are completed.
The Department has been working closely with the lead organisations in each location to maximise benefits for local veterans and families.
Back to topConsultation for the network expansion
Consultation for the expansion of the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs program will be conducted online from mid November 2022 via Microsoft Teams. These sessions will be focussed on ex-service organisations, community and other organisations, and state and territory governments.
Further consultation with veterans and families will be undertaken by the organisations chosen to lead the establishment and operations of the hubs. This will assist in developing a range of services and support that meets the needs of local veterans and families in each location.
Online Consultation Sessions
The online consultation sessions will provide background information on the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs Program, hub services, and an overview of grant guidelines and the expansion.
Parties interested in attending the online sessions can email the implementation team at veteransandfamilieshubs [at] dva.gov.au seeking a Registration Form to register for the relevant session(s). Once registered, the implementation team will send a link(s) to the persons registered, for access to the selected online session(s).
Online consultation session schedule
| State / Territory | Location | Date | Time (local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW/ACT | Queanbeyan | 14 November 2022 | 1:30pm - 3:30pm |
| SA | Northern Adelaide | 16 November 2022 | 10:00am - 12:00pm |
| WA | Southwest Perth | 18 November 2022 | 10:30am - 12:30pm |
| VIC | Surf Coast/Geelong region | 24 November 2022 | 1:30pm - 3:30pm |
| NSW | Hawkesbury region | 22 November 2022 | 1:30pm - 3:30pm |
| Hunter region | 25 November 2022 | 1:30pm - 3:30pm | |
| Tweed/North Coast region | 29 November 2022 | 1:30pm - 3:30pm | |
| QLD | Ipswich | 28 November 2022 | 1:30pm - 3:30pm |
Please note: ‘Time (local)’ is referring to the time zone of the relevant state or territory.
Back to topNetwork expansion to Southeast Queensland and Tasmania
As part of the 2021–22 Federal Budget, funding was provided to expand the network into Tasmania and Southeast Queensland. This work will continue as part of the Government’s recently announced investment for 10 additional Veterans’ and Families’ hubs across Australia.
DVA has been working closely with lead organisations to establish the hubs in Southeast Queensland and Tasmania, which are expected to be fully operational by mid-2024 and mid-2025 respectively.
On 23 December 2021, an additional commitment of $2.5 million was announced to further facilitate the provision of wellbeing services and support to veterans and families in Tasmania.
For more information on the expansion into these locations, please visit the dedicated Southeast Queensland and Tasmania pages.
Back to topRole of Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs
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 hubs provide a space for veterans’ services and advocacy organisations to co-exist and provide integrated support to current and ex-service personnel and families. Both the existing and future hubs offer a one-stop shop for local veteran services, which may include health and mental health services, wellbeing support, advocacy, employment and housing advice, and social connection. Lead organisations in each location will either provide, or facilitate access to these services, integrating support to veterans and families in partnership with ex‑service organisations, community and other organisations and state and territory governments.
Back to topExisting Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs
| Location | Address | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
|
Perth |
ANZAC House Veteran Central |
|
|
Adelaide |
Veteran Wellbeing Centre |
Veteran Wellbeing Centre |
| Townsville |
The Oasis Townsville |
|
| Nowra |
Contact RSL LifeCare Veterans Services:
Permanent premises (opening December 2022): Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre |
|
| Wodonga |
Temporary premises: Hume Veterans' Information Centre Permanent premises (opening December 2022): 149 High Street |
Hume Veterans Information Centre |
| Darwin |
Permanent premises: Satepak House Stuart Park (opening early 2023) |
Mates4Mates Northern Territory | Mates4Mates |
Accessing Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs
The hubs and their services are available to all current and former serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and reservists, and families.
The organisations that operate the hubs have unique operational and service models based on local needs and will determine their own cost arrangements and charges (if any) to veterans and families. Whilst some services may be free of charge, services facilitated via the hubs to another service provider may have their own fee structures.
Back to topServices provided
Each hub 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
- Housing and social connectedness
- Mental and physical health services
- Community engagement
Grant Opportunity Guidelines
The new Grant Opportunity Guidelines effective 28 October 2022, provide further details about the grants program and the aims and objectives of the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub network. These Guidelines are updated from time to time to reflect changes in the program.
The Grant Opportunity Guidelines effective 15 October 2021, apply to formal applications for grant funding under this program, submitted prior to 28 October 2022.
Back to topHub regional differences
The lead organisations of each hub will consult with veterans, families and the local community to align services and support with local needs and opportunities. They will also undertake reviews and evaluations to ensure the hub remains responsive to changes in local needs and priorities.
Back to topTasmanian feasibility study
In September 2020, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Tasmanian Government engaged the University of Tasmania (UTAS), to undertake a joint feasibility study into a veteran support service for the state.
The Tasmanian Veterans Needs Assessment and Wellbeing Support Service Feasibility Study is available to download.
The feasibility study highlighted the need for localised veteran support services to cater for a dispersed veteran community across Tasmania.
Community consultation was 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 network into Tasmania please go to the dedicated Tasmania page.
Back to topACT feasibility study
The ACT Government and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs undertook a joint feasibility study into how to best support the wellbeing of ACT veterans and families and will jointly consider a way forward.
Back to topMore information
For more information about the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub Program, please email veteransandfamilieshubs [at] dva.gov.au
Back to top