The independent Institute of Veterans’ Advocacy (IVA) has commenced accepting applications for membership, marking a significant milestone in its establishment as Australia’s professional association for veterans’ advocates. Membership to the IVA is open to all veteran advocates who meet the competency, training, and professional standards.
Chair Michael von Berg, MC OAM described the milestone of accepting membership applications as an exciting time.
"The Board has been working hard to establish the foundations of the IVA, and we’re now looking forward to engaging with the membership and building an organisation that supports this incredibly important sector,” Mr von Berg said.
The IVA’s establishment has been supported through targeted government investment and forms part of broader work to strengthen protections for veterans and improve professional oversight, ethical and professional standards in the advocacy sector.
The IVA will set competency and training standards for the veterans’ advocacy sector, establish and implement a formal code of conduct, and provide supervision of advocates’ work.
More information about the IVA, including membership categories and details about how to apply for an IVA membership are available at: www.iva.org.au.
DVA will continue to work with the IVA as the professional body for veterans’ advocates and encourages all professional advocates to register with the IVA.