The Defence and Veteran Family Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030 has been developed to recognise the pivotal role families play in supporting current and former serving Australian Defence Force members. 

The Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs worked closely together to develop the Strategy and First Action Plan. This coordinated approach ensures that the impacts of service and related life events on families are managed, both during and after service, with appropriate fit-for-purpose policies, programs and support – now and in the future.

Over the next 5 years, this Strategy will guide how the Department of Defence (Defence) and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provide targeted support to Defence and veteran families. 

The Strategy outlines how families will be supported, reaffirms a commitment to understanding their needs, and prioritises stronger engagement and ongoing support to enhance their wellbeing.

The First Action Plan outlines the actions that Defence and DVA will initially take to achieve the Strategy’s objectives. Defence and DVA will update the Action Plan as actions progress, with the most current version available here.

In Australian-first research, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) commissioned Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health to examine the rates of intimate partner violence among current- and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, using data collected in 2015 from a large-scale study of current (at the time) and recently (then) transitioned ADF personnel and their families.

For the purposes of this research, the Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme data was used to:

• examine the rates of intimate partner violence within the Australian veteran community;
• identify vulnerable groups; and
• provide an understanding of the implications of intimate partner violence on help-seeking and service utilisation.

Findings from the study suggest an elevated number of veteran families having experienced IPV, identifying them as a vulnerable cohort. 

Future application

The findings highlight opportunities for continued action to address intimate partner violence in the veteran community, a national priority for the Australian Government and the DVA.

The research will inform and enhance work already underway, including DVA’s Family and Domestic Violence Strategy 2020-2025, the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032, and the Defence Strategy for Preventing and Responding to Family and Domestic Violence 2023-2028.

How can we support you

If you, or someone you know, is at risk of violence, call Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046. In an emergency, call triple zero (000).

The Department of Veterans' Affairs commissioned the University of Sydney to identify the client and service factors associated with the Community Nursing program achieving its primary aim of enabling veterans to stay at home as long as possible, avoiding early admission to hospital or residential care. The research purpose was to use the findings to strengthen the program by informing potential program improvements.

Read more about community nursing services and providers.

DVA funded a four-year research trial through La Trobe University, in partnership with the Centre for Service and Therapy Dogs Australia (CSTDA), to provide detailed guidance and evidence to support best practice in the use of psychiatric assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD. Evolution Research were engaged to conduct the independent evaluation of the Trial.

The Trial’s objective was to train, allocate and monitor assistance dogs as an adjunct to evidence-based treatment for veterans with PTSD, to determine the following outcomes: 

• the clinical utility of using specifically-trained assistance dogs as an adjunct to evidence-based treatment for PTSD in a veteran population; 
• the benefits of specifically-trained assistance dogs used by veterans with PTSD in decreasing related caregiver burden; and 
• the key barriers and enablers for a possible future broader implementation of an assistance dog program of the type conducted under the Trial. 

The Trial evaluated the life experiences of 20 veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD through their journey of being paired with a specifically trained assistance dog. The veteran’s journey commenced at the time of recruitment and initial assessment, involvement in a comprehensive training program and matching of a dog to meet their unique needs. Following completion of the training program and preparedness the veteran received handover of their dog to live with them full time. 

Of the 20 veterans recruited, a total of 17 completed the Trial on 30 June 2022 and continue to live with their dog. The three veterans that did not complete the Trial voluntarily withdrew due to personal circumstances. Exit interviews to capture their experiences were conducted and noted in the evaluation report.

The Trial was successful in meeting its objectives and the evaluation findings and recommendations are being considered by DVA’s Psychiatric Assistance Dog Program for opportunities to enhance delivery of the Program.

The following comments were captured from trial participants and support persons during the evaluation and are included in the report

“I can’t express enough how much this program has been of benefit. I have little doubt that my service dog has saved my life” – Veteran John

“My wife says she “has the old me back”, my parents have commented on the change the dog has had on me, with comments such as…”we haven’t seen this bloke in 20yrs” – Veteran Brian

“I have more freedoms to do things that I like without feeling guilty or worrying about my husband. I cannot thank them enough for their dedication, patience and care shown to not only my husband but our entire family” - Support Person Jenny

“Conversations about difficult subjects have become approachable and easier. Our communication has improved in all aspects of our life” – Support Person Susan

The Department of Defence, with the support of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Council, commissioned Monash University to undertake a statistical study into the health of current and former Australian Defence Force firefighters who served from 1980 to 2013.

The Defence Firefighters' Health Study report is part of the Australian Firefighters' Health Study (available on the Monash University website, under heading "Study Results").

All queries about this research should be directed to the Department of Defence.

Despite increasing numbers of veterans returning from deployment with problematic anger and aggression, the treatment of anger within this population has not been thoroughly investigated. In contrast to areas of research such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there has been comparatively little attention directed toward other less clinically prominent behavioural outcomes of combat exposure that still have the potential to adversely impact the health and well-being of returning service members. The aim of this Rapid Evidence Assessment was to examine the scientific literature for evidence of effective interventions veterans with problematic anger and aggression.

The aim of this Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) was to examine the evidence to investigate the physical and mental wellbeing benefits veterans achieve through participating in sporting activities and whether these benefits are linked to the type of sporting activity being undertaken.

The aim of this Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) was to examine the evidence to investigate the physical and mental wellbeing benefits veterans achieve through participating in sporting activities and whether these benefits are linked to the type of sporting activity being undertaken.

The Government’s response (PDF) to a review of the circumstances surrounding the death of Signaller Geffrey Gregg was published on 30 July 2008. The response outlined 15 outcomes to address systemic problems with transition out of the services.

The review of SIG Gregg’s circumstances involved three parts.

Part 1 was an independent inquiry by the Inspector General Australian Defence Force, Geoff Earley AM, which examined SIG Gregg’s Defence Service, including deployment to Afghanistan, and the ADF’s role in transition management at SIG Gregg’s discharge.

Part 2 was undertaken by Mr Chris Doogan AM (former Registrar of the High Court) and examined DVA’s actions in SIG Gregg’s transition management from the ADF, DVA’s handling of his compensation claims and the actions of the Commissioner for Superannuation in administration of SIG Gregg’s claim for military superannuation benefits.

Part 3 of the review was undertaken by Mr Ron McLeod AM (former deputy Ombudsman) to examine the whole-of-government approach to handling the Gregg case.

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, and the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, issued a media release about the Government’s response.

The two most recent Australian Defence Force Firefighter occupational health research studies are now available.

DVA commissioned an independent Occupational Health Research Studies Review Examining the Occupational Health of Firefighters (October 2017) to assess the current level of medical-scientific evidence for 12 cancers prescribed under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Fair Protection for Firefighters) Act 2011 (Firefighters Act), plus melanoma. The review was led by Professor Nicola Fear at King’s Centre for Military Health Research, King’s College London, United Kingdom and consists of three reports:

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.