The Report of the Expert Panel to Review SAS Veterans’ Health Concerns and the Government's response were released in March 2004.

The health study was initiated in December 2002 to identify and document exposures of concern arising through Special Air Services (SAS) operational skills enhancement and training, and to examine their possible adverse effects. The Review also considered the need for further research and whether any particular matters should be drawn to the attention of the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA).

An independent Expert Panel conducted the study. The Panel was chaired by Professor Ken Donald, who was also Chairman of the Repatriation Medical Authority, and included experts in the fields of toxicology and genetics.

Results from the third study of mortality and cancer incidence among F-111 aircraft maintenance personnel, commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs, were released on 20 February 2009 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The report, Third study of mortality and cancer incidence in aircraft maintenance personnel: A continuing study of F-111 Deseal/Reseal personnel, is a follow-up study into mortality and cancer incidence in aircraft maintenance personnel involved in the F-111 aircraft Deseal/Reseal (DSRS) programs between 1977 and 1999. Findings from this study are consistent with the 2004 study. Findings indicate that although overall cancer incidence in men who were involved in DSRS programs was higher than the Australian male population, the numbers were too small to be statistically significant. Additionally, overall mortality was lower for DSRS personnel when compared with the Australian male population.

The AIHW believes that the small numbers make interpretation of these results inconclusive and recommends that the study be repeated in 2011 when more data will be available to improve certainty about the findings.

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.

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.

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.