Media releases

80 years ago today, Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) Centaur was sunk by a Japanese submarine off the coast of Queensland.

55 years ago today, Australian and New Zealand forces were attacked, resulting in their largest battle of the Vietnam War – the Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral.

The Albanese Government is investing an additional $328.1 million in the 2023-24 Budget to support the more than 340,000 veterans and dependants accessing services through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

On this day in 1945, Victory in Europe (VE) Day was proclaimed by the Allies, recognising the surrender of Germany in the Second World War.

A story that remains widely unknown will be brought to life with a joint commitment from the Australian and Greek Governments for the creation of the Lemnos Remembrance Trail.

On this day in 1965, then Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced in Parliament that Australia would send an infantry battalion of combat troops to Vietnam, significantly increasing our commitment to Australia’s longest 20th century conflict.

Five Australian soldiers who fought and died in the attack at Fromelles in France more than 106 years ago have been formally identified. 

Tomorrow at dawn, Australians and New Zealanders the world over will gather to honour those who have served our nations in times of war, conflict, peace and humanitarian operations.

The Australian Government encourages all Australians to take a moment tomorrow to honour those who served in the Battle of Kapyong and the Korean War.

The memories of Australian diggers on the Western Front will be preserved, with an $8.3 million technology upgrade at the Sir John Monash Centre in France.

This Anzac Day, Australia will honour the service and sacrifice of Australian veterans, serving personnel and their families the world over.

As ANZAC Day approaches, the Australian Government has formally launched the Marking First World War Private Graves Grants Program.

Australian Defence Force personnel who served in Somalia in the 1990s performed extraordinary work in very challenging conditions. 

31 athletes will represent Australia at this year’s Invictus Games in Dusseldorf Germany this September.

The Albanese Government has implemented a further five recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s interim report.

Veterans and families will soon benefit from the ongoing support of Australian Defence Force (ADF) chaplains in their transition into civilian life with the launch of a Veterans Chaplaincy Pilot Program.

On this day in 1968, the 1st Australian Field Hospital opened in Vung Tau, Vietnam, to care for the sick and injured during the Vietnam War.

The Launceston VeteranHub can now offer local veterans and their families access to improved facilities after the official opening today of its refurbished premises at the Launceston RSL.

Today, the Prime Minister and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs launched a commemorative medallion to honour those who served in the Vietnam War.

More than 10,000 additional older Australians and veterans have had their cost of living pressures reduced after being granted a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card following eligibility changes last year.

The search is on for Australia’s leading veteran employers and employees, with nominations for the 2023 Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards now open.

Tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, a major victory for the Allied Forces in the South West Pacific resulting in the destruction of a Japanese naval convoy carrying about 7,000 troops.

For the first time, Defence Ministers will join Defence personnel in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, as part of the Sydney WorldPride festival on Saturday 25 February 2023.

Today Australians pause to remember those who lost their lives, and those who served in the defence of Darwin during the Second World War.

Today the Albanese Government has taken the next step in responding to the recommendations of the Interim Report by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide by commencing public consultation on a Pathway to simplify veteran compensation and rehabilitation legislation.

Today, on National Servicemen’s Day, Australia acknowledges the contribution of thousands of our countrymen, also known as Nashos.

Today marks 56 years since the arrival of the Australian Naval Clearance Diving Team Three in South Vietnam, an elite group who put their lives at risk clearing underwater mines and obstacles during the Vietnam War. 

Defence personnel, veterans and families in Perth’s Southern Suburbs are set to receive better access to support through the establishment of a new Veterans’ and Families’ Hub, following consultation with the local community.

Today marks the 55th anniversary of the Tet Offensive, a key turning point of the Vietnam War. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said the Tet Offensive played a significant role in changing public opinion about the war.

Ex-service organisations (ESOs) are encouraged to apply for a share of  $4.551 million funding through the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program. 

The next Veterans’ and Families’ Hub is set to be established in Caboolture, Southeast Queensland, with health and wellbeing organisation Lives Lived Well announced today to lead the Hub’s development.

Support for the veteran community in North West Tasmania will soon be improved, with the Australian Government today announcing local veterans’ welfare group, the North West Tasmania Veteran Welfare Board, as the lead organisation to establish the new Burnie Veterans’ and Families’ Hub.

Community organisations across Australia will share in more than $1 million in grant funding to recognise veterans and preserve Australia’s military history in the latest round of the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program. 

Every time someone pulls on an Australian Defence Force (ADF) uniform they make a solemn vow.

Tomorrow marks 50 years since the 1973 proclamation of the end of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War. 

The Service of Vietnam War veterans will be commemorated in the 2023 Anzac Day Schools’ Awards, 50 years following the end of Australia’s involvement in the war.

The latest addition to the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs network has officially opened today in Wodonga, providing tailored services and support to the veteran community in regional Victoria. 

New South Wales’ first Veterans’ and Families’ Hub has officially opened today in Nowra.

Tomorrow we recognise more than 280,000 Australians who were called up to serve their country in National Service schemes between 1951 and 1972. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said the men who served as ‘Nashos’ should be proud of their service.

From today, pensioners over Age Pension age and eligible Veterans will be able to earn more income from working without reducing their pension, just in time to take advantage of seasonal jobs.

Australia’s top veteran and partner employers, employees and entrepreneurs were celebrated last night at the 2022 Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards in Canberra.

The Australian Government is investing in a better future for veterans and their families, improving support for totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) Veterans.

A report released today into the rate of suicide among current and former serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel reaffirms that suicide prevention must be a matter of national priority.

Three Australian soldiers of the First World War have been formally identified more than 105 years since they were killed on the Western Front.

Tomorrow, on the 104th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War, Australians will pause to honour the more than 103,000 Australians who have lost their lives, and all those who have served our country in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Previously unrecognised Veterans of the First World War whose graves are unmarked will now be acknowledged, thanks to a grants program funded in the October 2022-23 Budget.

The Australian Government is investing in a better future for Defence personnel, veterans and families, responding to important recommendations put forward by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and delivering on commitments from the Federal Election.

The Albanese Government will recommend the Governor-General appoint the Hon Kim Beazley AC as a member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has released a digital kitbag to help families, schools and community groups conduct their own commemorative service on Remembrance Day.

Consultation on reforming veterans’ legislation has commenced today with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) seeking submissions from the community.