The Department of Veterans' Affairs commissioned Flinders University to undertake research into the experiences of ex-serving Australian Defence Force Personnel in corrective services systems in Australia. The research was conducted between 2021-2023 and includes interviews from incarcerated veterans in three jurisdictions (South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland).

This report is supplemented with a rapid evidence assessment: "What are the risk factors for ex-serving defence force personnel to enter corrective service systems in Australia and/or other relevant jurisdictions?" 

Support services available

The research report contains interviews and personal experiences about trauma, violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse and may be confronting and disturbing.

The following support services are available:

Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling - Call 1800 011 046 or visit www.openarms.gov.au

Lifeline - Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au

1800 Respect - Call 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au

DVA commissioned Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF) to undertake a rolling Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of emerging and adjunct treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and common mental health conditions affecting veterans. The emerging treatments were psychedelic interventions (i.e., ketamine; methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA; lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD; psilocybin; and dimethyltryptamine, DMT, including ayahuasca), medicinal cannabis, d-cycloserine (DCS), stellate ganglion block (SGB), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS, including theta-burst stimulation, TBS). The initial REA was delivered in a tranche of seven individual reports in 2022. Four update reports were contracted at 6-monthly intervals to incorporate the most up-to-date information from newly published studies. The goal of the REA was to provide an evidence base to develop a flexible, yet robust, decision-making process that allows DVA to assess emerging treatments for veterans who have not responded to evidence-based treatments.

DVA commissioned Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF) to undertake a rolling Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of emerging and adjunct treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and common mental health conditions affecting veterans. The emerging treatments were psychedelic interventions (i.e., ketamine; methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA; lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD; psilocybin; and dimethyltryptamine, DMT, including ayahuasca), medicinal cannabis, d-cycloserine (DCS), stellate ganglion block (SGB), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS, including theta burst stimulation, TBS). The initial REA was delivered in a tranche of seven individual reports in 2022. Four update reports were contracted at 6-monthly intervals to incorporate the most up-to-date information from newly published studies. The goal of the REA was to provide an evidence base to develop a flexible, yet robust, decision-making process that allows DVA to assess emerging treatments for veterans who have not responded to evidence-based treatments.

DVA commissioned Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF) to undertake a rolling Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of emerging and adjunct treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and common mental health conditions affecting veterans. The emerging treatments were psychedelic interventions (i.e., ketamine; methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA; lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD; psilocybin; and dimethyltryptamine, DMT, including ayahuasca), medicinal cannabis, d-cycloserine (DCS), stellate ganglion block (SGB), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS, including theta burst stimulation, TBS). The initial REA was delivered in a tranche of seven individual reports in 2022. Four update reports were contracted at 6-monthly intervals to incorporate the most up-to-date information from newly published studies. The goal of the REA was to provide an evidence base to develop a flexible, yet robust, decision-making process that allows DVA to assess emerging treatments for veterans who have not responded to evidence-based treatments.

This Rapid Evidence Assessment investigates the research literature analysing the risk factors for ex-serving personnel entering corrective services systems in Australia and/or other relevant jurisdictions. The report examines and synthesises recent research evidence regarding risk factors for entry into corrective services systems by ex-serving personnel across the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

The key findings of the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Census and Prospective Health Studies were launched by the Chief of the Defence Force on 8 August 2013.  These studies are part of the Military Health Outcomes Program (MilHOP), a significant body of research commissioned by the Department of Defence to determine the impact of operational deployment on the health and wellbeing of service men and women.

The results suggest that ADF members deployed to the MEAO are generally physically and mentally healthy.  However, members repeatedly exposed to traumatic experiences, either at home or on deployment, are more likely to develop mental health concerns.

DVA continues to seek opportunities to improve and evolve service models to meet the changing needs of clients and will use the studies’ findings to help inform future research priorities within DVA’s Strategic Research model.

Further information on the studies and access to the reports is available on the Department of Defence’s Military Health Outcomes Program webpage

Independent studies by Professor David Dunt - As part of its election commitment, the Australian Government committed to conduct a study to examine the broad issue of suicide in the ex-service community, including a number of specific cases of suicide over the past three years, to help identify the following:

• ex-service members who are at increased risk of self harm
• common contributing factors among ex-service members who have committed or attempted suicide
• the extent of suicide in the ex-service community
• lifestyle or other factors that may be contributing to suicide in the ex-service community
• recommended administrative reforms or initiatives to help combat suicide in the ex-service community.

The Government appointed Professor David Dunt to undertake the study. Professor Dunt is a public health specialist and epidemiologist with major interests in health program evaluation and health services research.  He was also appointed to conduct the Review of Mental Health Care in the Australian Defence Force and Transition through Discharge (Defence website).

Prof. Dunt presented his study to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs in February 2009. The Minister announced the Government’s response (PDF 149 KB) in May 2009.

Terms of reference

The terms of reference for the study were developed in consultation with the National Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum.

See: Suicide study terms of reference (PDF 47 KB)

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) commissioned Dr Samantha Crompvoets to lead a study in 2009 into the health and wellbeing of female Vietnam and contemporary veterans. The study was completed in 2012. The report’s findings were based on in-depth interviews with 60 female veterans and 30 workers in the female veteran health and wellbeing field, as well as reviews of previous research.

The ADF Service Women Steering Committee report and joint Defence/DVA response 

The Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence jointly established the ADF Service Women Steering Committee (the Committee) to provide recommendations for improving Defence and DVA services for current and former ADF members. The Committee’s membership included current and former soldiers, sailors and air women (regular/permanent and reserve).

The Committee considered Dr Crompvoets’ report and discussed practical ways to improve current and former ADF service women’s access to services.

The Committee concluded that there are no major gaps evident in Defence or DVA services for current and former ADF service women, but identified that there was a lack of awareness by women of available support and services.

The Committee also found that significant changes have occurred with the services provided by Defence and DVA during and since Dr Crompvoets’ study that have enhanced care and support for contemporary veterans, including female veterans, and their families.

The Committee made 24 recommendations. DVA and Defence have accepted the majority of the Committee’s recommendations and will continue to work together to improve responsiveness to the needs of women who serve or have served our nation.

The ADF Service Women Steering Committee

With approximately 14 per cent of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) being female, female veterans are making up an increasing proportion of DVA clients. In 2012, an average of 345 females served on overseas operations at any given time, with their roles including logistics, health, communications, transport, signals, engineering and intelligence. The start of 2013 saw the ADF open all employment categories to servicewomen and a new Army recruitment campaign to increase the number of women serving over the next 12 months.

More than 11 000 veterans with one or more accepted conditions under any Act administered by DVA are female. In the last few years the Department has significantly improved services for contemporary veterans, including female veterans. DVA and Defence have also recognised that female veterans have unique requirements and so have established an ADF Service Women Steering Committee to inform both departments of the specific needs of women.

The committee is co-chaired by Gayle Anderson, Assistant Secretary Service Development and Defence Relations Branch (DVA) and MAJGEN Gerard Fogarty AO, Head of People Capability, Defence. Membership includes female current and former serving members (both regular and reserve) who have deployed on operations to Somalia, Timor Leste, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The committee is considering a broad range of information, including research by Dr Samantha Crompvoets of the Australian National University which was funded through DVA’s Applied Research Program. The study, completed in 2012, was commissioned to look at the needs of the growing number of female veterans. The report from this study into the health and wellbeing of female Vietnam and contemporary veterans is available on the DVA website.

The ADF Service Women Steering Committee has met three times between May 2013 and 30 June 2013 and will continue to meet regularly until August 2013, after which the Committee will report to the Repatriation and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commissions with recommendations to further guide service design.

The aim of this Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) was to investigate the efficacy of one-to-one online video counselling for the treatment of adults with mental health concerns and compare this treatment with traditional in-person counselling in terms of clinical outcomes, therapeutic alliance, client satisfaction and attrition.

The report fulfils a recommendation of the 2017 Senate inquiry into Suicide by Veterans and Ex-Service Personnel, for an independent study into the mental health impacts on veterans when they navigate the compensation claim assessment processes. It considers the evidence available and discusses leading practice in personal injury claims management.

Inquiries and reviews of the DVA support system have identified that the compensation claims assessment process may contribute to the psychological distress and mental health conditions experienced by some veterans, including self-harm and suicide.

In response to the Senate inquiry into suicide in veterans and ex-service personnel, the DVA commissioned Phoenix Australia to provide a desktop study and literature review examining the mental health impacts of compensation claims assessment processes on veterans and their families. The DVA subsequently commissioned Monash University to undertake this study to review the Phoenix report and to further explore potential for DVA actions that may mitigate potential mental health impacts of its compensation claims processes.

The study involved document review, site visits to DVA offices and a targeted literature search and is presented in three sections.