Over the course of the last few months, we have been heavily involved in the consultations that have taken place as part of both the generalist and core design group for a national peak body for the veteran support organisation sector. This work is in response to Recommendation 89 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. This work builds on the previous consultations undertaken by the community sector throughout the years of the Royal Commission which was led by RSL Australia and a coalition of other veterans support organisations.

Why a National Peak Body is needed in the veteran support sector

The consultations have been very in depth and have highlighted the significant need for a peak body to exist within our sector. They have demonstrated the need for that peak body to ensure that it builds capacity and capability across the sector while doing its best to bring together a very diverse community sector.

What is a Peak Body and why it matters for our sector

Peak bodies are not new they exist all around our community in other sectors across Australia and internationally. They exist where there are multiple organisations or multiple interests surrounding a particular issue or a group of people. While not new as a concept it is new for our sector.

Key themes from the consultation process

During the consultations we have heard a lot about the importance of equity and equality. The role and responsibilities of the peak body and of course the importance of independence, accountability, transparency and strong governance.

Looking ahead: a collaborative opportunity for sector growth

This is a unique opportunity to start to come together and truly collaborate as a sector. We look forward to receiving the outcomes of this consultation work and hearing about the next steps as soon as they become available.

Our role remains: advocating for war widows and veteran families

Importantly a peak body will not replace this organisation, nor will it replace our advocacy work it is just another vehicle through which we can raise the voices of war widows, defence and veteran families; and work on systemic change across our sector that benefits as many as possible.

The post Peak Body Consultation first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

On 13 February 2025, the Senate referred an inquiry into Compensation and income support for veterans to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Reference Committee. The Committee is set to inquire into the representation of and advice provided by ex-service organisations, commercial entities, not-for-profits and individuals to veterans and families in relation to accessing compensation and income support.

How we gathered feedback from veteran families

We asked veterans and their families to share their views with us so we could prepare our response. We had a small response to our request, but it was enough to validate our thinking. We have just made our submission and in summary here is what it says.

Core issues in the current veteran compensation scheme

The veteran compensation scheme is notoriously difficult to access, often requiring veterans and their families to seek help to navigate their entitlements. Despite recent legislative consolidation, the underlying culture of mistrust and adversarial nature of the system remains unchanged.

Our submission: a call for reform and recognition

Our submission outlines several core principles, including the unique nature of military service linking those to the compensation system that has since evolved and calls for a return to these principles. In particular, we highlight a critical point of failure in the system, where veterans and their families have to rely on third parties to access their entitlements, facing complex processes and lifelong journeys with the Department of Veterans Affairs (‘DVA’).

Voices of veterans and families: lived experiences with DVA

In our submission we highlight the views of veterans, and their families shared with us. They had mixed views on the claims system, highlighting issues such as bureaucracy, inconsistent advocacy quality, and unnecessary delays. The veterans and their families saw a need for enhanced training, accountability and service standards.

Read our full submission to the Senate Inquiry

You can read our full submission here.

The post Our submission to Senate Inquiry into Compensation and Income Support for Veterans first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Overview of our response

In summary, our response to the strategy highlights the importance of supporting and empowering the families of veterans to achieve a stronger, more sustainable, and resilient defence and veteran community. Our response advocates for improvements in multiple areas. While we welcome the existence of a strategy, it needs to be bolder and more practical in supporting families.

Key areas for improvement

Outdated Model of Care: We highlight that the current model of care is outdated and does not adequately support families. We challenge the core assumptions this strategy is built on.

Recommended actions

We urge the Government to take substantive and practical steps to support families, ensuring they are not invisible for another five years. We emphasise the need for immediate action to support families and highlight the critical role of family support in recruitment, retention, and overall defence capability. Specifically, we encourage the following actions:

• Lifetime mental health treatment for children of deceased veterans
• Extending mental health treatment to partners, parents, and children of veterans
• Providing in-home care support for families with young children
• Removing dependency-based language from policies

Call to action

Want to support our calls for action for defence and veteran families? Let us know by emailing ceo@fov.org.au or write to us with your experiences and what you would like to see or what you expect the support for defence and veteran families to look like in Australia. Let’s build that future together.

The post Improving support for defence and veteran families: our response to the wellbeing strategy 2025-2030 first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Why your input matters

The Inquiry will review various aspects of the current and former superannuation schemes for ADF members. This includes the legislative framework, the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme, the governance of the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, and the rights of account holders. It will also address the mechanisms for reclassifying military discharges and the effectiveness of different superannuation schemes.

Impact on families

Superannuation schemes affect more than just veterans; they impact families, including widows and widowers. Your insights and experiences can help us understand the broader implications and improve these schemes for everyone involved.

How you can help

Please share your experiences and thoughts on the superannuation schemes. Your feedback is invaluable in making informed recommendations to the Committee.

Contact Us:

• Email: ceo@fov.org.au 
• Mail: PO Box 146, Chatswood NSW 2057

Share your story today

Your story can make a difference. Help us contribute to this important inquiry by sharing your experiences with ADF superannuation schemes. Reach out to us via email or mail and let your voice be heard.

The post Have your say on ADF Superannuation Schemes – Share your experiences first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

What is the inquiry about?

The Committee will examine how veterans and their families access compensation and income support through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). It will explore the role of ex-service organisations, commercial entities, not-for-profits, and individuals in providing advocacy and support services.

Key areas of investigation

The inquiry will focus on:

1. Commercial advocacy services – Evaluating the appropriateness of commercial entities (both within and outside Australia) providing advocacy services, particularly those that charge fees or commissions on statutory entitlement payments.
2. Veterans’ review board representation – Reviewing legal representation and advocacy support for veterans in their appeals.
3. Regulation and training of advocates – Examining the standards, training, and professional discipline of individuals who provide advocacy services.
4. Previous reviews on advocacy models – Assessing past recommendations regarding advocacy models and the level of implementation.
5. Other related matters – Addressing additional concerns relevant to the compensation and income support system.

Why your voice matters

The experiences of war widows, veteran families, and veterans are essential in shaping future policies. Your input can influence how advocacy services are delivered and improved within the Australian veteran system.

Share your experience

We want to hear your thoughts on DVA claims advocacy services and how they can be improved. If you’ve encountered challenges or have suggestions, this is your opportunity to be heard.

Have your say today! Let us know about your experience with claims advocacy and help shape the future of veteran compensation and income support.

Click here to submit your feedback.

The post Compensation and income support for veterans: have your say first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.