More than $4.7 million announced to support veteran advocacy

More than $4.7 million in funding will be provided to 102 ex-service organisations (ESOs) across Australia to support veteran advocacy through the Albanese Government’s Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program.

The annual grants program helps ensure veterans and families have support when making a claim or accessing entitlements with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

ESOs from every state and territory will receive funding in the 2024-25 round, helping to pay for veteran advocates’ expenses such as salaries, office equipment and domestic travel.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has made it clear that delays in accessing supports can have negative impacts on veterans and families.

The BEST grants announced today support qualified advocates in helping to make it easier for more veterans and families to get access to the services they need and deserve.

In another important step in responding to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Interim Report, earlier this month the Albanese Government introduced legislation into Parliament to simplify and harmonise Australia’s veterans’ rehabilitation and compensation system earlier this month after significant community consultation.

After decades of piecemeal change built on top of a century of different veterans’ entitlements legislation, these reforms will deliver a system that is easier for veterans and families to understand what they are entitled to, and will make it simpler for veteran advocates to assist veterans, so veterans receive the benefits and supports they need and deserve.

The full list of grant recipients are in the table below, and more information is available on the DVA website.

More information about the simplification and harmonisation of Australia’s veterans’ rehabilitation and compensation system is available on the DVA website.

Authorised by The Hon Matt Keogh MP.

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