Winners of Veteran Employment Awards lead the way

The long-term wellbeing of our veterans and their families is a key focus of the Albanese government.

Winners of this year’s Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards have been unveiled, showcasing the innovative ways employers can help support veteran wellbeing while leveraging their unique skillset.

As the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide made clear, the transition from uniform to civilian life can be a challenging time for veterans and their families.

Secure, meaningful work that respects veterans’ service can ease the stress of transition and build long-term wellbeing.

Now in their eighth year, the Awards are also about highlighting the valuable workplace contributions veterans and partners make as civilian employees and entrepreneurs.

The Awards received almost 50 per cent more nominations this year compared to last, many from nominees who have not participated previously.

Since the launch of the new Veteran Employment Commitment in April 2024, nearly 500 organisations Australia-wide have joined.

Each of these organisations has committed publicly to employing veterans and are putting the policies and practices in place to support them throughout their civilian careers.

The Awards build on the wider work of the Albanese government to boost the wellbeing of our veteran community, including urgent work to implement recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Congratulations to all winners, finalists and nominees.

A full list of winners is below.

Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:

“Veterans bring lifelong skills and experience in leadership, teamwork and performing under pressure to any task that they perform.

“Employers also gain from the values of service and excellence that veterans bring not just to the workplace but the communities in which they live.

“These awards are a powerful act of recognition of how those attributes are being brought to bear across the country and I congratulate all the winners and nominees.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh:

“The ADF’s greatest capability is its people and their long-term wellbeing is a key focus of the Albanese government.

“Transitioning from uniform to civilian life can be challenging for many veterans and their families.

“A key to their wellbeing during the transition process is secure, meaningful work that respects their service and leverages their unique skills and attributes.

“That’s why we invested $24 million into the Veteran Employment Program and it’s great to see that investment bear fruit as we celebrate the best in veteran employment initiatives.”

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.