Building career confidence for defence and veteran partners

Applications are now open for the 2026 Rise Together Initiative.

Bringing together our work supporting the careers of defence and veteran partners, we are running the Rise Together Initiative online this year as part of a two-day program. The aim of this initiative is to build the career confidence of defence and veteran partners, directly addressing the negative impacts of defence service on their careers.

Why career confidence matters for veteran families

Families of veterans make unique sacrifices when supporting their loved one, both during and after ADF service. Partners of veterans often balance the many demands of supporting family, relocations and adjustments, deployments and other absence from home, transition out of service and caring roles due to illness or injury.

Career satisfaction is an important element of wellbeing. We acknowledge that veteran families may face barriers in developing and maintaining their career aspirations due to the unique nature of Defence life, increasing their risk of unemployment and underemployment. Defence and veteran partners are three times more likely to be under or unemployed than the general population, and 92% of those affected are women. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage partners of current and former serving ADF members to focus on self-care and expand their careers.

What the 2026 Rise Together Initiative offers

In 2026 the Rise Together Initiative will provide up to 30 defence and veteran partners with the opportunity to undertake personal and professional development over 2 full days online:

Day one, facilitated by psychologists from People Measures: build a learning mindset, understand your values and professional brand, explore career development opportunities, and create a future-focused plan.

Day two, delivered by our qualified social workers: a morning wellbeing session drawing on Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart, presentations on employment, career, study and training pathways, resume and job application support, and an afternoon watercolour session for self-care and creativity.

There is no cost to take part, and every participant receives a wellbeing pack in the post.

Key dates

• Rise Together Initiative program: Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September 2026
• Applications close: Wednesday 2 September
• Applicants notified of outcome: Tuesday 8 September

Applications information

Applications are open to defence and veteran partners and widows. Ex-partners may also be considered. Applications will be reviewed by our CEO Renee Wilson and our Social Work and Wellbeing Manager, Lisa Stephenson.

How to apply

To apply for your place in the two-day program:

1. Complete the Expression of Interest form here: Expressions of Interest for Rise Together Initiative
2. Email your current resume to wellbeing@fov.org.au

For any further information about the Rise Together Initiative, please contact Kerrie or Lisa at 02 9267 6577 or wellbeing@fov.org.au