Government response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Final Report

On 2 December 2024, the Government responded to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Final Report. 

The overwhelming majority of the Royal Commission’s recommendations were accepted. The Government agreed or agreed in principle to 104 recommendations, noted 17 recommendations, and did not support one recommendation in part. The Government response is available on the DVA website.

In responding to the Royal Commission’s Final Report, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Hon Matt Keogh MP acknowledged the size and complexity of the tragic issue of Defence and veteran suicide, and the Government’s resolve to address it.  

The Government’s response marks the beginning of a substantial and long-term program of reform across Defence, DVA and the veteran support system.

The Government will establish a new Defence and Veterans Services Commission – a new statutory entity to oversee enduring and systemic reform. The Defence and Veterans Services Commission will provide independent oversight and evidence-based advice to improve suicide prevention and drive better outcomes for serving and ex-serving ADF personnel. An interim head will be appointed as soon as possible to work across Government toward the establishment of a legislated oversight body in 2025.

To support the implementation of the Government’s response, a Taskforce will be established within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, drawing on expertise from across Government, to consider matters of detailed implementation.

The Government has also provided funding to DVA to co-design with the veteran community a new agency focused on veteran wellbeing to be established within DVA (recommendation 87), and to continue consultation on a new national peak body for ex-service organisations (recommendation 89). This work will begin soon.

The Government has already acted on the Royal Commission’s Interim Report, including: 

  • introducing legislation to simplify and harmonise veterans’ rehabilitation and compensation system
  • eliminating the backlog of 42,000 unallocated claims identified by the Royal Commission
  • improving the administration of DVA claims systems, including through streamlined medical forms, the introduction of claims-screening teams, and improvements to the MyService portal
  • improving access to information held by DVA and Defence.

Since the Interim Report, the increased rate of DVA decision-making enabled by additional departmental resourcing has supported a significant increase in the entitlements paid to veterans and veteran families. The 2024–25 Budget included an additional $6.5 billion for income support and compensation over five years from 2023–24 through to 2027–26, of which $2.2 billion was paid in 2023–24.

Along with the Government response, Defence and DVA have released the Exposure Draft of the Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Consultation on the draft opens early 2025 for a 6-week period. You will be able to provide feedback by answering specific questions in the exposure draft survey or uploading a written submission in the submission portal. More information is available on the DVA website: Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2029 | Department of Veterans' Affairs

The Government has also released the Veteran Transition Action Plan to accompany the Veteran Transition Strategy launched last year, supporting our serving men and women as they transition from ADF service to civilian life. 

DVA acknowledges all those who contributed their invaluable lived experience and insights to the Royal Commission’s inquiry. We are committed to making the most of this opportunity to achieve meaningful change and improve the wellbeing of Australia’s veteran community.

Support services

Always call 000 for support in an emergency.

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: is a national service that provides free mental health and wellbeing support to anyone who has served at least one day of continuous fulltime service in the ADF and their immediate families.

Open Arms is available 24/7 call 1800 011 046 or go to www.OpenArms.gov.au

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