Veterans’ Affairs portfolio
The Veterans' Affairs portfolio is made up of two agencies – the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Australian War Memorial – and several other organisations:
- Australian War Memorial
- Office of Australian War Graves
- Repatriation Commission
- Repatriation Medical Authority
- Specialist Medical Review Council
- Veterans' Review Board.
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial (AWM) was established as a corporation under the Australian War Memorial Act 1980. It operates within the Veterans' Affairs portfolio as a discrete agency.
The AWM maintains and develops the national memorial to Australians who have died in wars or warlike operations. It also develops and maintains and exhibits a national collection of historical material, and conducts and fosters research into Australian military history.
The director is a statutory officer, directly responsible to the Council of the Australian War Memorial, which is responsible to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs.
Back to topOffice of Australian War Graves
The Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG) has three distinct roles:
- to maintain war cemeteries and individual war graves within Australia and the region, as agents of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- to officially commemorate eligible veterans who have died post-war and whose deaths are accepted as being caused by war service
- to provide and maintain national memorials overseas.
The Director is a statutory officer responsible to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
See further: OAWG website
Back to topRepatriation Commission
The Repatriation Commission is responsible for granting pensions, allowances and other benefits, providing treatment and other services and generally administering the Act. The Commission also provides compensation and other benefits for current and former members of the Australian Defence Force, and their dependants, who suffer an injury or disease due to service. The functions and powers of the Repatriation Commission are set out in sections 180 and 181 of the VEA and continued in existence by section 360B of the MRCA. Other more specific responsibilities of the Commission include the following:
- making determinations relating to the acceptance of liability for service related conditions, the payment of compensation and the provision of treatment and rehabilitation
- minimising the duration and severity of service related conditions and promoting the return to suitable work
- promoting research into the health of members and former members, the prevention of injury and disease, and rehabilitation and
- providing advice to the Ministers and departmental secretaries of Veterans' Affairs and Defence, the Chief of the Defence Force and the service chiefs.
The Commissioner is chosen from nominees submitted to the Minister by organisations representing veterans.
Back to topRepatriation Medical Authority
The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) is an independent statutory authority responsible to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. The Authority consists of five practitioners eminent in fields of medical science. The Authority determines 'Statements of Principles' in respect of particular kinds of injuries, diseases or death based on sound medical-scientific evidence detailing the factors which can connect the injuries, diseases or death with the circumstances of service in Australia's military forces. The Statements of Principles are used for the purpose of determining claims for compensation under the MRCA.
See further: RMA website
Back to topSpecialist Medical Review Council
The Specialist Medical Review Council (SMRC) is an independent statutory body reviews the decisions made by the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) in relation to Statements of Principles.
See further: Specialist Medical Review Council | Specialist Medical Review Council website
Back to topVeterans' Review Board
The Veterans' Review Board (VRB) is an independent tribunal that reviews certain decisions of the Repatriation Commission and decisions made under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004. The Board was established by the Repatriation Legislation Amendment Act 1984 and began operating on 1 January 1985.
The Board may review two main classes of decision:
- 'entitlement' cases, where a claim for a pension other than a service pension was decided
- 'assessment cases, where the rate of pension payable for an accepted incapacity was assessed.
A veteran or other affected person may lodge an application for review if they are dissatisfied with a decision.
See further: VRB website
Back to topVeteran and Family Wellbeing Agency
The new Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency commenced operations on 1 July 2026. The vision, purpose and functions of the new agency were shaped through extensive consultation and co-design with veterans, families, current serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, ex-service organisations and service providers.
The Agency is focused on improving the wellbeing of veterans and families of veterans through prevention, early intervention and coordinated support. A key priority is providing wrap around assistance for at-risk veterans particularly during transition from a military to a predominately civilian life.
The Agency strengthens connection and access to support services and complements existing clinical, compensation and community-based services.
Agency functions include:
- Wellbeing education, prevention and early intervention
- Transition planning and preparedness
- Navigation and referral to wellbeing supports, including acute, complex and crisis support/referral
- Life stage transitions and community connection
- Wellbeing monitoring and feedback
From commencement, the Agency will deliver a foundation level of capability that provides veterans and families with a clear, accessible and coordinated entry point for information, navigation and referral services.
The establishment of the Agency delivers on a number of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
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