Veterans’ employment
Veterans' employment initiatives around Australia.
National
The Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program was launched in 2016 to raise awareness with employers of the value and unique experience of our veterans.
In November 2018, the Prime Minister launched the Veterans Employment Commitment (VEC), which allows Australian organisations to identify themselves as veteran-friendly to potential veteran employees. Signing the commitment shows that businesses value the significant skills and experience Australian veterans have to offer and declare that they support employing veterans.
The VEC also encourages organisations to actively seek to understand how veterans’ skills and experience can translate into civilian skills, and provide suitable training, mentoring and coaching to veterans.
Nominations for the annual Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards closed in October. The finalists will be announced in early 2020 followed by an award ceremony to announce the winners. For more information on the program, visit the website.
Many employment services are already in place including programs and/or services offered by State and Territory governments as outlined below:
New South Wales
Through its Veterans Employment Program (VEP), the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs has produced two publications: Local Government Rank to Grade Guide and the NSW Government Rank to Grade Guide, both of which assist hiring managers and veterans understand how Australian Defence Force (ADF) skills and experience align with public sector roles. The VEP has also partnered with TAFE NSW to support eligible veterans who have transitioned out of the ADF in the past five years and who want to undertake further education and training to pursue a civilian career. Further information is available on their website.
Queensland
The Queensland Government has the Veterans’ employment pathway.
Victoria
In November 2016, the Victorian Premier set a target to employ 250 veterans in the Victorian public sector. In March 2019, this initial goal was tripled to 750 veterans employed in the public sector by June 2021. See the ‘Job opportunities for veterans’ page on the Victorian Government’s website.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government does not have a veterans’ employment program but visit the veterans page of its website for other resources.
South Australia
The South Australian Government has the Veterans Employment Program for the Defence Industry.
Western Australia
The Government of Western Australia has the Veterans Employment Transition Support program.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT Government launched its Veterans’ Employment Strategy in September 2017. Visit the Veterans’ Employment page of ACT Public Service Employment Portal.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory Government supports and promotes the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program, while currently developing an NT Veterans Employment program. Information about the NT Government’s Defence community activities can be found at https://defence.nt.gov.au/community.