Veteran Transition Strategy
The Veteran Transition Strategy, the first of its kind, was released by the Australian Government on 22 August 2023.
The Strategy is a joint initiative between Defence, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC)—agency partners in the Joint Transition Authority (JTA).
The Strategy aims to align transition stakeholders with a shared vision for what it means for a veteran and their family to transition well.
The Strategy has six priorities:
- Veterans and their families plan and prepare early for their transition;
- Veterans and families are aware of and able to access support appropriate to their needs;
- Families are engaged through transition;
- Veterans and families have access to employment, education and skills opportunities;
- Financial wellbeing for veterans and families; and
- Veterans and families feel supported and recognised.
The priorities outlined in the Strategy were developed following extensive consultation with serving ADF members, veterans, families, ex-service organisations, Commonwealth and state and territory government agencies, academia and industry.
DVA, Defence and CSC are all critical partners in supporting the effective transition of ADF members and families to a predominantly civilian life. Together, we are working to improve the transition experience through the sharing of data, addressing gaps in services, integrating existing services, and influencing new services as they are developed. To this end, a dedicated Transition Branch has been established to drive these efforts within DVA.
Building on the vision outlined in the strategy, initiatives have already been put in place to improve the services and supports available to veterans in transition:
- the skills recognition program, which translates military training to civilian qualifications. (This means ADF personnel are better recognised in the civilian workplace for the skills, training and experience they have gained in service.)
- improved, individualised support for personnel transitioning
- amendments to Defence Housing rules to allow members to occupy a rent allowance property before they leave the ADF to help them get established in the community they wish to live
- allowances for transitioning ADF members to attend civilian GP appointments to support the handover of any medical care needs from Defence Health to the GP who will manage their health care after transition
- out-of-hours transition coaching to better support families, to be piloted later this year
- expansion of some transition services to be available throughout an ADF member’s career.
The strategy and related action plans will evolve as needed, particularly in response to the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Veteran Transition Strategy is available on the Defence website.
Transitioning members are able to access DVA’s broad service offer, based on their eligibility and circumstances. Veteran Support Officers deliver support and advice about DVA benefits and services, including MyService and lodging of claims, in a consistent manner tailored to the needs of the individual. Veterans and families can also use MyService to do their business online. For further information, call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).