NPWP - Community Support
Helplines and Counselling Services
Open Arms - Veterans and Family Counselling/
Defence Family Helpline
Counselling and support programs for ADF personnel and their families. Provides a free-call all-hours crisis telephone service as well as face-to-face support. Open Arms is not part of Defence.
Safe Zone Support - Open Arms 1800 142 072
Anonymous counselling line. Specialised counsellors with an understanding of the military culture who can offer care without knowing who you are. Hosted by Open Arms, but is a separate service.
Defence Employee Assistance Program
A free, confidential and professional counselling service to help people resolve problems that may impact their life. EAP services are provided by Converge International.
REDSIX
Mobile app with the primary purpose of lowering the growing suicide rate amongst returned servicemen and women. A virtual community, accessible no matter where you are located, using GPS technology.
High Res - Open Arms App
Mobile app for Open Arms.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples Helpline
1300 287 432
LGBTIQ Helpline 1300 542 874
Beyond Blue - Stress & Anxiety Coaching 1300 907 814
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Eldercare Helpline 1300 035 337
Disability & Carers Helpline 1300 243 543
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 469
Employee Assistance Program - Converge International
1300 687 327
Veteran Support
Path of the Horse (Trentham, Vic)
Registered charity providing equine-assisted therapy and services. Clients take part in safe activities with the horses and then, if they wish, process their experience, feelings and thoughts. Offers an opportunity to explore how you are in your relationships, or how you are coping with life’s challenges. Demonstrates techniques that help people be calm and regain control.
The Oasis (Townsville, Qld)
The Oasis' Wellbeing Program provides support before, during and after the transition process. The Employment Coordination Team supports the Wellbeing Program to find meaningful work for veterans and partners. A place to meet and connect with other veterans and families and friends, and find local services to support integration into the community.
Standby (Hobart, Tas)
Australia’s leading suicide postvention program dedicated to assisting people and communities bereaved or impacted by suicide. Accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing free face-to-face and/or telephone support at a time and place best for each individual. Support for individuals, families, friends, witnesses, first responders and service providers.
Defence Shed (Port Adelaide, SA)
Provides support through community-based projects and activities to support the mental health and wellbeing of ADF members, ADF veterans, emergency services personnel and their families by minimising social isolation, encouraging social engagement and promoting a purposeful life.
Thirrili (Darwin, NT)
Provides crucial supports to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples suffering grief, loss and trauma due to the loss of a loved one through suicide and other critical incidents.
Operation K9 (Adelaide, SA)
Program offering assistance dogs to ADF Veterans who have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The assistance dogs are fully trained through a comprehensive training course. Initial equipment is provided by OPK9 and provides aftercare for the dog’s working life.
Hounds 4 Healing (Townsville, Qld)
With the support of a highly qualified trainer, dogs under the Hounds 4 Healing banner receive relevant training and guidance with the goal of obtaining Public Access Test (PAT) certification to provide assistance to their owners.
4 Aussie Heroes Foundation Ltd
'Camp Courage’ is planned to open in SE Queensland late 2021, providing a 12-day live-in rehabilitation program in a rural environment. The aim is a dramatically enhanced quality of life for military and first responder personnel, past and present, with PTSD and related mental health issues resulting from their time in service to the nation and their communities.
Timor Awakening (Qld)
An immersive, evidence-based, peer-to-peer wellbeing program for veterans and families, comprising holistic health education, group therapy, mentoring, physical activity, commemoration and community development. Aim is to reduce the instance of veteran suicide, domestic violence and detrimental effects of service life on veteran families.
Group Programs - Open Arms
A range of group programs to assist the serving and ex-serving community, as well as their families, to live their best life. Includes group treatment programs, online groups, relationship retreats and suicide intervention education workshops.
Soldier On
Works to strengthen resilience and develop connections with family members, mates and the local community through health and wellbeing services, employment opportunities, education programs, and participation in community, social and sporting activities.
Voice of a Veteran podcast
This podcast provides a platform to discuss those conversations many have been hiding from. Real and unscripted stories.
Defence Reserves Association
A tri-service organisation supporting the Australian Defence Force (ADF), promoting the interests, and safeguarding the concerns of the Defence Reserve component of the ADF.
Anzac House Veteran Central (WA)
Specialised one-stop facility that puts Defence veterans and their families first. Medical, mental health and dental practitioners, counselling, advocacy services, welfare assistance, aged-care support, wellbeing programs, transitionary assistance, employment support, conferencing facilities, and places to chill out and socialise, plus hireable function spaces for special events.
Overwatch Australia
A not for profit organisation tasked with reaching out and assisting former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members. A peer to peer, boots on the ground, first response organisation formed to assist former ADF members who are at risk or in crisis. Acts as a bridge to other Ex Services Organisations (ESOs) better equipped to help with the needs of these personnel.
Homes for Heroes - Wesley Mission (NSW)
Partnership between Wesley Mission and RSL LifeCare, a housing-first program which can help people find a safe place to stay, access the support and services they need to achieve their goals, and eventually re-join their chosen community.
Vasey RSL Care (Vic)
For veterans or their wives, widows or widowers. Affordable accommodation with rent that are substantially lower than comparable private rentals. Priority is given to those in greatest need. Seven locations around Melbourne.
Zac’s Place (Qld)
Short to medium term emergency accommodation for veterans and their families. The seven-person house is located in Kirwan, Townsville.
Andrew Russell Veteran Living (ARVL) (SA)
Emergency accommodation and affordable housing properties for veterans and their dependents. Located in Sturt, Angle Park, Campbelltown and Wallaroo.
Mates4Mates
Helps veterans and their families to find a way forward from service-related injuries.
Veteran Benefits Australia
Aims to provide connection and awareness for veterans to create a closer and well-informed Australian veteran community. Services include exercise programs, nutrition plans, mental health programs, home cleaning services, physiotherapy, medication management and dental services.
Australian Veteran Health Services (AVHS)
Medical practice run by veterans for veterans. Their doctors can assist you with DVA claims, Permanent Impairment Assessments, ADF Transition Medicals, CASA and FAA Pilot Medicals.
Returned and Services League (RSL) Australia
Advocates for the best possible conditions for our serving men and women and for those who have served the nation.
Veterans Support Centre - RSLACT
Trained advocates who are former servicemen and women using their extensive experience to help with DVA Claims. Advocacy services are provided for all members of the veteran community, including serving members.
RSL LifeCare Veteran Services
Aimed at improving the wellbeing of veterans and their families, and supports veterans from the time they transition out of service right throughout their lives. Head Office 1300 232 564.
Find Help - RSLQld
Offers a range of services to help veterans and their partners with emotional and physical wellness programs, employment and education, DVA claims and other programs and people to help with achieving life goals.
Veteran Support Centre Belconnen, ACT
Assists serving and former Defence Force members and their families, and police and emergency services to all conflicts, with DVA claims and welfare.
Defence Member & Family Support (DMFS) (formerly DCO)
Employment
MBS Build on You
Designed for Defence personnel to build on the 8 Future Focused Capabilities and to develop professional skills. Includes critical thinking, human skills, STEM, digital, data and cyber literacy, and more.
Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP)
Provides funding to assist eligible ADF partners with employment when relocating, or if their ADF member is medically transitioning: professional employment services, re-registration costs, virtual Job-Search Preparation workshops and Job Connections.
APS Career Pathways and Job Opportunities
Defence APS employees are employed in an array of critical positions, Australia-wide, enabling Navy, Army and Air Force to do their job. Defence employs public servants across Australia and around the world.
Prince’s Trust Australia - Enterprise for Veterans
Inspiring veterans and their families with the confidence, skills and networks they need to safely explore self-employment and engage successfully in the rapidly changing world of work.
Defence Work Experience Program
National program designed to demonstrate the wide variety of interesting Defence careers available; ease transition of students into the workplace; and contribute to the development of the skills of young Australians.
RSL Employment Program
Powered by RSL Qld, this is a nationally available, free program that helps veterans and their families find civilian employment.
Support Programs offered by States and Territories
Australian Government
Prime Minister's Veterans' Employment Program
ACT Government
Veterans ACT
Employee Assistance Program
Veterans’ Entry Program (Undergraduate Courses)
NSW Government
Veteran's Employment Program
Vic Government
Job Opportunities for veterans in the Victorian public sector
SA Government
Ex-Service Organisation
WA Government
Public Sector Commission
Qld Government
Veteran's Employment Pathway
NT Government
RSL Employment Program in NT
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
Some DVA support and services available:
Veteran Support Officers
Defence Veterans Covenant
Ex-Service Organisations for Veteran Support
Health and Treatment
Work and Social Life Programs
Legal
Consumer Law Centre
Provides free legal advice and representation in the areas of consumer credit (mortgages, credit cards and personal loans, debt recovery, banking, bankruptcy, insurance, simple contracts, and general fair trading and consumer protection.
Defence Legal
Links to Defence Legal Services, Military Justice System, and Audit and Fraud Control division.
DISCLAIMER
The material in this site is provided for general information only, and on the understanding that the Royal Australian Navy is not providing professional advice on a particular matter.
The material may include the views or recommendations of third parties, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Royal Australian Navy or indicate a commitment to a particular course of action.
This site contains information on selected health, rehabilitation and recovery services and also provides links to third party websites. Errors or omissions can occur in the preparation of web pages. Therefore, before relying on the material in this site or material provided via links from this site, users should independently verify its accuracy, completeness, relevance for their purposes and that it is up-to-date.
Before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any material in this site or any third party web site to which it refers, the user should obtain appropriate independent professional advice.
Links to third party websites are provided for the user's convenience and do not constitute endorsement of material at those sites, or any associated organisation, product or service. In going to any of these websites, you will be subject to the privacy, accessibility, copyright and other policies which may apply to the website.
