The report of the Fourth study of mortality and cancer incidence in aircraft maintenance personnel:

A continuing study of F-111 Deseal/Reseal personnel, was released on 17 October 2016 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The broad purpose of this follow up MCIS study was to see if there was a higher rate of cancer or mortality among Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and civilian aircraft maintenance personnel involved with F-111 Deseal/Reseal (DSRS) between 1974 and 2000 compared to other RAAF personnel who were not involved.  

The key findings are broadly consistent with the previous studies taking into consideration the additional years of follow-up and differences in the datasets. The latest study added information from ‘Tier classifications’ to identify more personnel in the study group. 

Higher cancer incidence and lower mortality incidence among the F-111 DSRS group was found to be statistically significant due to the greater number of cases that have occurred over time.

Chemical Review (April 2018) to develop toxicological profiles for 132 chemicals listed as contaminants within the RAAF Base, Point Cook former fire training area.

The Firefighter Chemical Review – Extension to Review Additional Chemical Substances reviews an additional 78 chemicals.

DVA has commissioned an independent ADF Firefighter Chemical Review (April 2018) to develop toxicological profiles for 132 chemicals listed as contaminants within the RAAF Base, Point Cook former fire training area.

The review determined how the chemicals (and adverse health outcomes) fit within the Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles regime. The Firefighter Chemical Review was undertaken by Dr David Douglas at Douglas Consulting Australia. The review report is now available:

The final report, Examination of the Potential Exposure of RAN Personnel to Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans via Drinking Water, was submitted by the National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (ENTOX) and Queensland Health Scientific Services to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs in December 2002.

The aim of the study was to investigate the potential for exposure of sailors to contaminants via drinking water during the Vietnam War. On Navy ships and Army small ships, potable water was produced from evaporative distillation of surrounding estuarine water. This water may have contained contaminants in solution.

This project was commissioned to add to the field of research arising from the Mental Health in the Australian Defence Force: 2010 Australian Defence Force Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbeing Study (MHPWS).

One aim of the MHPWS was to refine methods for detecting mental health conditions in the Australian Defence Force population, including the use of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10).

This project explored further the potential for identifying specific K10 screening cut-offs to maximise early intervention, and K10 epidemiological cut-offs to accurately monitor prevalence of disorders over time, using Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) health survey data.

Final report for the Department of Veterans' Affairs

Revised 7 October 2009

This report describes the development, implementation and evaluation of activities undertaken for the Study to Improve Treatment Options for Hard to Engage Clients, conducted by the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health (ACPMH), as part of the Australian Government’s Mental Health Lifecycle Package.  

The target group for the initiative was veterans and former serving members with a mental health problem for which they had not previously had treatment. 

Final Report for the DVA Lifecycle Review

The mental health Lifecycle Initiatives were implemented as a 2008-09 budget measure. The goals included enhancing psychological resilience among service personnel, improving mental health surveillance, supporting successful transition from defence to civilian life, and providing effective rehabilitation and support. The purpose of the current analysis was to consider the implications of the project outcomes, as well as to examine the usefulness of the lifecycle concept for future policy and program development. This document is a discussion paper designed to raise issues for consideration. It is not intended to provide specific recommendations. 

The Lifecycle Initiative outcomes were reviewed and interviews conducted with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and Defence stakeholders. Key themes were identified and used to guide both a literature review and consultation with overseas military and veteran mental health experts. The material was then integrated for consideration by key DVA and Defence personnel.

As part of the Government response to the 'Independent Study into Suicide in the Ex-service Community', DVA commissioned the Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention to undertake a review of the Operation Life Suicide Awareness workshops to ensure they were evidenced based. DVA accepted all recommendations made in the final report. 

The project analyses the educational choices made by Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans. It studies the success of their subsequent labour market outcomes, compared to those who returned to the ADF after training, and compared to the broader group of civilians who undertook the same type of training, and with whom they will be competing in the civilian labour market. The project aims to provide young veterans with information on their future labour market prospects arising from investments in further education through Vocational Education and Training (VET).

On 9 September 2013, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) commissioned a study into firefighter exposures in response to health concerns voiced by ex-serving Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) firefighters and a concurrent legislated review of the Fair Protection for Firefighters Act 2011 by the Department of Employment. DVA and the Department of Defence have continued to liaise closely with firefighter representatives over the course of this and other related research into the firefighter occupation and fuel exposure.

The Firefighter Case File and Literature Review were carried out in two parts to address occupational health and compensation matters:

Firefighter Literature Review

Dr Tee Guidotti conducted the Firefighter Literature Review, which was a systematic review of international literature in relation to civilian and military firefighters. Specific consideration was given to occupational exposure of RAAF firefighters to chemical contaminants listed at the Point Cook fire training ground, as provided by Chief of Air Force.

Dr Guidotti is an international expert in the field of occupational health risks for firefighters and has published extensively in this field.

To guide the research, Dr Guidotti worked with Dr Graeme Peel, who undertook a compensation and health file examination of 71 cases of ex-serving or serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) firefighters. Dr Peel is a specialist in occupational and public health.

Dr Guidotti used a benchmark of “weight of evidence” to assess the literature. This is a concept that does not equate easily to the standards of proof in Australian legislation for veterans.

The report has been provided to the Repatriation Medical Authority, which indicated it would undertake routine monitoring of the medical literature to ensure further associations between firefighter employment and conditions can be identified.

In the mean time, firefighter group representatives and DVA are advising individuals to claim diagnosed conditions they believe may have been caused by their Defence service through DVA.

Case File Review

Dr Peel independently reviewed Defence service and medical records and DVA compensation files for 71 serving or ex-serving RAAF-trained firefighters or firefighters who served at Amberley. The reason for the review was to ascertain if there are any claims DVA had rejected that may now be recognised, if there are any decisions on claims that need to be reconsidered, and whether there are any previously unrecognised clusters or trends in conditions.

Firefighters should lodge claims to DVA for diagnosed conditions they believe may be related to their military service.