A new agency focused on veteran and family wellbeing

The agency was established in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. It is designed to make the wellbeing support system easier to navigate, more connected, and more focused on early support and prevention.

For many veterans and families, knowing where to go for help can be difficult. Support services often sit across multiple organisations, programs, and community providers. One of the agency’s key goals is to make it easier for veterans and families to find the information, services, and assistance they need.

Importantly, the agency has been shaped through consultation and co-design with veterans, families, ex-service organisations and service providers. Feedback highlighted the need for a system that is easier to understand, more inclusive of families, and focused on supporting people before they reach crisis point.

What will the agency do?

The agency will focus on five key areas of wellbeing support:

• Wellbeing education, prevention, and early intervention
• Transition planning and preparedness
• Navigation and referrals to support services, including acute, complex, and crisis support
• Support during key life-stage transitions and community connection
• Wellbeing monitoring and feedback

Rather than replacing existing services, the agency will help connect people with the support already available and improving coordination across the wellbeing system.

From its commencement, veterans and families will be able to access support through a new website, service directory, and dedicated helpline. These services are intended to make it easier to find trusted information, identify local support options and access assistance when needed.

A stronger focus on families

A key feature of the new agency is its recognition of the important role families play in supporting wellbeing.

Families are often the people providing day-to-day support, helping navigate services, and recognising when additional assistance is needed. The new agency aims to make it easier for families to access information, connect with services, and understand the support available to them.

The agency will also work closely with Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs, ex-service organisations and community providers to strengthen connections across the support network available to veterans and their families.

Supporting transition from Defence

The agency will initially focus on veterans and families who may be at greater risk during transition from Australian Defence Force (ADF) service, particularly those experiencing complex or involuntary separation. 

This reflects findings from the Royal Commission, which identified transition as a significant period of change and vulnerability for many serving members and their families.

By providing earlier support, better navigation, and stronger connections to services, the agency aims to help veterans and families feel more informed, supported, and connected throughout transition.

Looking ahead

As the agency develops, its services are expected to evolve in response to the needs of the veteran community. The agency will continue to engage with veterans and families to help shape its future direction and ensure it provides practical, relevant support.

For veterans and their families, the establishment of the Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency represents an important step towards a more connected and accessible wellbeing system – one that recognises the role families play and supports wellbeing throughout service, transition and life after service.

For more information

• Visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website to learn more about the Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency.
• Explore the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs network to find local support services.
• Contact DVA to discuss wellbeing and support services available to veterans and families, including assistance related to transition from military service.

Stay up to date with new programs and services as the agency develops.