Joint media release - Veteran employment success celebrated

The nation’s top veteran and partner employers, employees and entrepreneurs have been celebrated tonight at the annual Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards.

Finding meaningful employment after serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) can be one of the biggest challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life.

The annual Awards showcase the impressive talents of the Australian veteran community, as both employees and entrepreneurs, while celebrating the civilian organisations that actively employ and support veterans and their families. 
 
Competition was fierce, with nine winners from a record number of 165 nominations.

The annual awards complement the Albanese Government’s game changing Veteran Employment Program, a new approach to supporting veterans into the civilian workforce. 

More information about the Awards and the 2023 winners can be found on the Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Program website. 

For more information on the Veteran Employment Program, visit the Veteran Employment Program website.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Now in its sixth year, the Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards have stayed true to their original purpose.

“The sooner we recognise the value of the contribution that veterans can make following their return from service, the better off our workplaces, our communities and our veterans will be.

“Congratulations to the veterans, their partners and their employers recognised in this year’s Awards.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh:

“To further strengthen veteran employment opportunities, the Albanese Government launched the Veteran Employment Program in July.

“This Program builds on existing initiatives that raise awareness of the valuable skills and experiences veterans bring to the civilian workplace.

“The Program features initiatives to better recognise the capabilities that veterans gain in service, making it easier for them to demonstrate their existing skills, gain vocational qualifications and be more universally competitive in the labour market.”

“This Program will not only empower our veterans, it will also support civilian employers to build their understanding of the unique value veterans can bring to business.”

A full list of winners is below.

Editor notes

• The 2023 Awards took place this evening, Wednesday 13 September at Parliament House in Canberra
• Images of the event, including winning recipients, can be provided upon request

Media Note: 

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides 24/7 free confidential crisis support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families on 1800 011 046 or the Open Arms website. 

Safe Zone Support provides anonymous counselling on 1800 142 072. 

Defence All-Hours Support Line provides support for ADF personnel on 1800 628 036 or the Defence Health Portal. 

Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608