Today, the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Maitland was officially opened, expanding access to essential services for more than 22,000 veterans and veteran families across the Hunter Region.
On 11 March 2024, the Government awarded a $5.45 million grant to RSL LifeCare, working with RSL NSW and other ex-service organisations, to expand support services to the veteran community in Maitland and across the Hunter region. Off the back of several community consultations before construction and development began, RSL LifeCare designed a Hub to specifically meet the needs of the local veteran community.
Located in Maitland NSW, the site of the Hunter region Veterans’ and Families’ Hub was picked due to its central location, as well as proximity to Singleton Military Area, Bullecourt Barracks and RAAF Base Williamtown.
Building on the established service delivery through their temporary Newcastle Hub since March 2023, RSL LifeCare is expanding support across the region through a ‘hub and spoke’ model. This ensures veterans across the Hunter region will have coordinated access to health and wellbeing programs, social connection, and practical support within arm’s reach.
Today’s formal opening is an important milestone for the local community. It recognises the official expansion of support available throughout the Hunter region, even though services are already available from the permanent site.
The Hunter Hub is part of the Australian Government’s 2022–23 Federal Budget commitment of $46.7 million to expand the network by eight new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs nationwide, giving more veterans and families of veterans access to support. As part of this commitment, three new Hubs are now operational with three more to be open by mid-2026.
A total of 11 Hubs are now operational nationally, with further locations planned for the Hawkesbury and Tweed/North Coast regions in New South Wales, Ipswich in Queensland, the Surf Coast/Geelong region and Bendigo in Victoria, and Southwest Perth in Western Australia, strengthening the national network.
Our Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs network continues to expand, through the partnerships formed between government, businesses and communities, banding together to build a holistic support system for the veterans and veteran families.
To learn more about a Hub near you, visit Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs | Department of Veterans' Affairs.