Our work in response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

On 8 July 2021, the Government announced the formal establishment of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Royal Commission was independent of Government, including the departments of Veterans' Affairs and Defence.

On 9 September 2024, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide handed down its Final Report, which is available on the Australian Parliament House website.

The Report comprises more than 3,000 pages of evidence, commentary and findings across 7 volumes.

The Report highlights the scale, contributing risk factors and overarching drivers of suicide and suicidality. It acknowledges that suicide and suicidality of serving and ex-serving members of the ADF is a multifaceted problem.

The Final Report represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for meaningful change.

It comprises 122 recommendations to address identified systemic risk factors and overarching drivers of suicide and suicidality in serving and ex-serving ADF members.

The recommendations are largely directed to Defence and DVA; as well as other agencies separately or in combination with Defence and DVA.

Government’s response to the Royal Commission’s Final Report

On 2 December 2024, the Australian Government released its response to the Royal Commission’s Final Report.

The Government has accepted the overwhelming majority of the Final Report’s recommendations and will address the issues identified by the Royal Commission through a wide-ranging and substantial program of reform. As detailed in the Response, the Government has agreed or agreed in principle to 104 out of the 122 recommendations and noted 17 further recommendations.

DVA, working in partnership with Defence, will make every effort to address suicide and suicidality among our serving and ex-serving ADF personnel.

Find out more about DVA’s work in response to the Royal Commission through the links below.