An update on the health of veterans by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) highlights how the experiences of military service can shape veteran health outcomes later in life.
The 2026 Health of Veterans annual update provides a summary of material drawn from recently published AIHW reports, including content from DVA commissioned projects released in 2025.
The update highlights how the unique demands of military service can impact current and former ADF members, who can have different health challenges compared to other Australians. This underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring of veteran health and wellbeing, which is an important part of understanding how best to support those who have served.
The update found that while male veterans have similar risk factors for ill health to non-veteran males, including smoking, alcohol consumption, diet and physical activity, all ex-serving members are more likely to need assistance with core activities such as self-care, mobility and communication.
According to data from the 2021 Census of Population and Housing, the update notes that the Australian veteran population has a different age and sex profile to non-veterans, which can influence the overall health patterns. For example, a higher proportion of veterans are older and male when compared to the demographic profile of Australian population.
The update shows that DVA clients and those who separated involuntarily for medical reasons had a higher prevalence of chronic conditions than those who separated voluntarily and non-DVA clients.
Mental health remains an important focus – some data sources show similar or lower rates of recent mental health conditions among veterans compared with non-veterans, others indicate higher rates of long-term mental or behavioural conditions, particularly among ex-serving males.
Patterns of health service use show that most ex-serving members access at least one health service each year, with higher use of mental health services compared with the broader Australian population. This higher use likely reflects differences in eligibility, access, engagement with care, underlying health conditions or due to the unique impacts of ADF service.
The AIHW and DVA have a longstanding strategic partnership to build a comprehensive profile of the health and welfare of Australia’s veteran community. This partnership supports evidence-based policy, planning and service delivery for veterans and their families.
The full update and other recent AIHW releases are available on the AIHW website.
By building a clearer, evidence-informed picture of veteran health and wellbeing, DVA can:
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design new services that respond to emerging needs
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refine access pathways
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tailor supports to at risk groups risk groups, and
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ensure investment is directed where it is most effective.
Families seeking support can access more information on the DVA website: www.dva.gov.au