Help for you and your family
We can help veterans and their families in many different ways. We do not have separate programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans. We help people based on their service.
On this page
Who is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veteran?
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veteran is a person who:
- served in the Australian Defence Force either full-time or as a reservist
- identifies as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- is accepted in their community as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
You do not need to identify as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to make a claim. This is because we base any help you receive on your military service.
Tell us if you are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veteran
You can contact us to let us know you want your records to show that you identify as being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. This helps us:
- provide better services to as many veterans and their families as possible
- make sure you and your family know what support is available
How we help
As an Australian Government agency, we provide support to:
- veterans and their dependants
- widowed partners
- Indigenous people who were in and around Maralinga, Emu Fields and the Montebello Islands in the 1950s and 1960s at the time of the British Nuclear Tests in Australia
- certain members of Territory, State and Federal Police forces who were members of peacekeeping forces outside of Australia
We want to make sure that anyone who has served their country can access entitlements from us.
You may be able to receive:
- counselling services through Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling
- education assistance for dependent students of veterans
- health care, including treatment for Mental Health conditions
- home assistance
- help with housing, including loans at a low interest rate and other home insurance
- financial support and compensation
- rehabilitation support
- help when you return to civilian life
- help for the community to commemorate events such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and Vietnam Veterans’ Day
- a Veterans' Recognition Package
The Office of Australian War Graves take care of memorials and war graves for veterans. They can also help you locate specific war graves and cemeteries.
We may also be able to provide resources for students, teachers and historians.
Back to topIf you need help with your claim
You can get help with your claim or if you need to speak to someone about what we do.
If you need help you can contact:
- an ex-service organisation
- an Indigenous Veterans' Liaison Officer
Contact a liaison officer
If you would like to speak to someone who can help, contact an Indigenous Veterans' Liaison Officer.
The officer's job is to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans get the right support. They can answer questions you have about us and what we can do to help you.
To find the best person to talk to you can contact us. Tell us you want to speak to an Indigenous Veterans' Liaison Officer.
Back to topWhat to tell us
Some changes in your life can affect your benefits.
You may need to tell us if you:
- change your living arrangements
- change your bank details
- become partnered or separate from your partner
- plan to go overseas
- move to a residential age care facility
- go to hospital for an extended period of time
These changes can affect the amount we pay you. If you do not tell us about a change, we could pay you money that you are not entitled to.
If we pay you money you are not entitled to, you will have to back it back.
In the event of your passing
Your family or the executor of your estate need to tell us as soon as they can. It will affect any benefits you receive from us. There is a bereavement period during which your dependants may continue to receive payments.
Your partner or family may be able to get benefits such as:
- a war widow(er)s pension
- financial help for your dependants
- help with funeral costs
- a memorial plaque or headstone in a public or private cemetery