What is an ex-service organisation?

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Learn about ex-service organisations (ESOs) and where to find them.

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What is an ex-service organisation

An ex-service organisation (ESO) supports current and former ADF members and their families.

They can support you with:

  • advocacy services to access payments and other benefits
  • visitation services at home, hospital or an aged care home
  • seeking financial help, employment or vocational studies
  • social activities to make friendships and to improve general health and wellbeing.

They also support you by lobbying governments for better services and payments to live a meaningful life.

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Where to find an ex-service organisation

You can use the Advocacy Register to search for an ESO or to find an advocacy service in your area.

You can also search the internet for an ESO that is close to you or who offers services you want.

List of some ex-service organisations

Air Force Association (AFA)

  • Postal address: PO Box 1038, Hawthorn BC VIC 3122
  • Phone: (03) 9813 4600
  • Email: vpcomms [at] raafa.org.au (vpcomms[at]raafa[dot]org[dot]au)

Australian Peacekeeper & Peacemaker Veterans' Association (APPVA)

  • Postal address: PO Box 943, Alstonville NSW 2477
  • Phone: 0431 041 181 (Secretary)

Australian Special Air Service Association (ASASA)

  • Postal address: PO Box 6137, Swanbourne WA 6010
  • Email: asasanatoffice [at] gmail.com (asasanatoffice[at]gmail[dot]com)

Australian War Widows Inc

  • Postal address: PO Box 3656, Weston Creek ACT 2611
  • Phone: 0427 735 871

Bravery Trust

  • Postal address: PO Box 20, Camden NSW 2570
  • Phone: 1800 BRAVERY (1800 272 837)
  • Email: ask [at] braverytrust.org.au (ask[at]braverytrust[dot]org[dot]au)

Commando Welfare Trust

  • Postal address: PO Box 5082, Pinewood VIC 3149
  • Phone: 0418 314 940
  • Email: admin [at] commandotrust.com (admin[at]commandotrust[dot]com)

Defence Families Australia

  • Street address: BP35-3-077, 35 Brindabella Circuit, Canberra Airport ACT 2609

Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA)

  • Postal address: PO Box 4166, Kingston ACT 2604
  • Phone: 02 6265 9530

Legacy Australia Incorporated

  • Postal address: GPO Box 4020, Sydney NSW 2001
  • Phone: 1800 LEGACY (1800 534 229)
  • Email: enquiries [at] legacy.com.au (enquiries[at]legacy[dot]com[dot]au)

Mates4Mates

  • Postal address: PO Box 208, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
  • Street addresses:
    • Brisbane - Level 1, 274 Stafford Rd, Stafford QLD 4053
    • Ipswich - Level 1, 260 Brisbane St, West Ipswich QLD 4305
    • Sunshine Coast - Level 2, 21 Carnaby St, Maroochydore QLD 4558
    • Townsville - 40 Anne St, Aitkenvale QLD 4814
    • Cairns - 280-286 Sheridan St, Cairns North QLD 4870
    • Darwin - 39 Stuart Highway, Stuart Park NT 0820 (entrance off Ramirez Rd)
    • Hobart - 206 New Town Rd, New Town TAS 7008 (entrance off Montagu St)
  • Phone: 1300 4 MATES (1300 462 837)
  • Email: enquiry [at] mates4mates.org (enquiry[at]mates4mates[dot]org)

Naval Association of Australia

Partners of Veterans Association of Australia (PVA)

  • Postal address: PO Box 3494, Tuggerah NSW 2259
  • Phone: 1300 553 835

Returned and Services League of Australia Ltd (RSL)

Royal Australian Regiment Association

  • Street address: 8 Ustinov Crescent, McDowall QLD 4053

Soldier On

  • Street address: Building 2, Suite 5, Brindabella Circuit, Brindabella Business Park, Canberra Airport, ACT 2609
  • Phone: 1300 620 380

TPI Federation Australia

  • Postal address: PO Box 450, Erindale ACT 2903
  • Phone: 0417 291 546
  • Email: federation [at] tpifed.org.au (federation[at]tpifed[dot]org[dot]au)

Vietnam Veterans' Association of Australia (VVAA)

Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia (VVFA)

  • Street address: Veterans Support Centre, 8 Mary Street, Granville NSW 2142
  • Phone: (02) 9682 1788
  • Email: secretary [at] vvfagranville.org (secretary[at]vvfagranville[dot]org)
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