Defence Health
Health Portal
Health, Rehabilitation and Recovery Directory
The Health, Rehabilitation and Recovery Directory provides information on Ex-Serving and Veteran Community Organisations throughout Australia, to assist with accessing the health and rehabilitation services they provide to current and ex-serving ADF members and their families.
To obtain further information, please contact the Ex-Service Organisation using the contact details provided.
Disclaimer
The material in this Directory is provided for general information only, and on the understanding that the Australian Government is not providing professional advice on a particular matter.
The material may include the views or recommendations of third parties, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government or indicate a commitment to a particular course of action.
This Directory contains information on selected health, rehabilitation and recovery services and also provides links to third party websites. Errors or omissions can occur in the preparation of web pages. Therefore, before relying on the material in this Directory or material provided via links from this Directory, users should independently verify its accuracy, completeness, relevance for their purposes and that it is up-to-date.
Before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any material in this Directory or any third party web site to which it refers, the user should obtain appropriate independent professional advice.
Links to third party websites are provided for the user's convenience and do not constitute endorsement of material at those sites, or any associated organisation, product or service. In going to any of these websites, you will be subject to the privacy, accessibility, copyright and other policies which may apply to the website.
National
National Ex-Service Organisations provide services across a range of locations.
Please contact these organisations via the details on this page to find out if they provide services in your area.
Defence Families Australia (DFA)
DFA is the official body appointed by government to represent the views of Defence Families. Its aim is to inform government and Defence on the needs of the family. Its goal is to ensure quality of life for all Defence families by providing a recognised forum for their views and by reporting, making recommendations and influencing policy that directly affects families.
Contact Details
Robyn Ritchie (Convenor)
(02) 6265 7120
Infoline 1800 100 509
R8-1-007, PO Box 7909, Canberra BC, ACT 2610
convenor@dfa.org.au
Role
To assist the families of ADF members who seek its help with advocacy to obtain information on the benefits and assistance available to them from Defence, their rights and responsibilities, and the Defence policies that affect them. This may include DFA assisting Defence and other relevant stakeholders in their efforts to inform all families of these benefits, assistance, rights and responsibilities, and policies and any changes to them.
| Description | Delivery | Target Group | Location | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compensation & Advocacy Advice | Individual: Face-to-Face | Families of current serving members or veterans | Regional & National | National |
Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA)
The purpose of the DFWA is to foster the best interests and welfare of all members of the ADF and their families in any matter likely to affect them during or after their period of service.
Contact Details
Alf Jaugietis
(Executive Director)
(02) 6265 9530
PO Box 4166, Kingston, ACT 2604
national@dfwa.org.au
| Description | Delivery | Target Group | Location | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compensation & Advocacy Advice | Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | Local DFWA Branch | National |
Legacy
Legacy is a charity providing services to Australian families suffering financially and socially after the incapacitation or death of a spouse or parent, during or after their defence force service. We currently care for around 90,000 widows and 1,900 children and disabled dependants throughout Australia.
Contact Details
Programs
Services are provided nationally to widows of veterans, youth dependents, dependents with a disability,
and partners and youth dependents of veterans with significant health issues that affect the family.
Services include:
- Information, advice, assisted referrals, tailored family assistance, group social activities,
- Emergency response,
- Pensions and other compensation applications and advocacy,
- Assistance with accessing training options and funding. Contribution to education costs if options not available.
Partners of Veterans Association of Australia
The Association supports families and partners of veterans and current and Ex-serving Members of the ADF.
Contact Details
| Description | Delivery | Target Group | Location | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Health & Clinical Care Welfare only programs and/or peer support |
Individual: Face-to-Face | Partners / carers & families | Various locations | National |
|
Daily Activities Transport services |
Individual: Face-to-Face | Partners / carers & families | Various locations | National |
|
Wellbeing Programs Lunch meetings, coffee, chat groups |
Group: Face-to-Face | Partners / carers & families | Various locations | National |
|
Compensation & Advocacy Welfare only |
Individual: Face-to-Face | Partners / carers & families | Various locations | National |
|
Education & Training Group education advice only |
Group: Face-to-Face | Partners / carers & families | Various locations | National |
Picking Up The Peaces
Picking Up The Peaces is a not-for-profit organisation committed to a national health campaign to raise awareness about the early signs and symptoms of psychological injury and its associated mental and physical health difficulties. There is a strong focus on reducing the detrimental effects of mental health stigma through education and literacy programs.
Contact Details
Kate (CEO)
0424 458 354
9 Burkitt St, Page, ACT 2614
info@pickingupthepeaces.org.au
| Description | Delivery | Target Group | Location | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Education & Training PTSD and Mental Health Education Program |
Group: Face-to-Face | Current & ex-serving ADF members and all uniformed service personnel | Various locations | National |
Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL)
The RSL provides and supports advocay, welfare and pension claim advice to Australian and Allied Service and Ex-service persons, their spouses and dependants, widows and other Allied and needy persons.
Contact Details
Mickey Michaelis
(02) 6248 7199
0488 998 381
GPO Box 303, Canberra, ACT 2601
michaelis@rsl.org.au
| Description | Delivery | Target Group | Location | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Health & Clinical Care Health and clinical care referrals, transport, subsidies |
On-line | All Veterans | on-base | National |
|
Mental Health Services Supporting Defence and DVA services |
Individual: Face-to-Face | Transitioned members | On-Base | National |
|
Home and Transport Assistance HACC and VAC programs |
Group: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | As required | National |
Royal Australian Navy Relief Trust Fund (RANRTF)
The RANRTF was established by the Services Trust Funds Act 1947. The Act provides that the Trustees shall, subject to and in accordance with the regulations, apply the fund in providing benefits for ADF members who have served in the RAN and to the dependants of such members.
Contact Details
LCDR Tristan Skousgaard
(02) 6144 7190
RAN BP29-GF-198, PO Box 7890, Canberra BC, ACT 2610
tristan.skousgaard@defence.gov.au
Programs
The benefits provided by the RANRFT are Interest Free Loans (of up to $6,000) for a wide range of purposes and Financial Grants (the amount is at the discretion of the Trustees).
Soldier On
Soldier On provides support to contemporary veterans (serving and ex-serving) and their families.
Contact Details
Barbara Fenemore
0413 842 284
15 Torrens St. Braddon ACT 2612
barbara.fenemore@soldieron.org.au
| Description | Delivery | Location | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport & Recreation | Group: Face-to-Face | Various | National |
| Counselling & Family Support | Group or Individual: Face-to-Face | Various | ACT Only |
| Education & Training | Online | Various | National |
Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (VVAA)
The VVAA is a wholly volunteer body, whose sole interest is the welfare of veterans and the families of veterans. It has strong representation in every state and territory, and very close ties with equivalent organisations in the United States and New Zealand.
Contact Details
Programs
- Welfare and pension officers provide referrals to professional services, support with compensation and rehabilitation claims.
- A range of social and interactive facilities are provided or referred where options are available.
- Referral to professional counselling services and in-house family support services.
- Support and advice to transitioning members on request.
- Some financial support can be provided.
- Full welfare, pension and advocacy services available and provided.
Canberra
Keeping Watch
Keeping Watch (KW) was established by the RANRTF as an additional mechanism through which the Trustees may provide for the comfort, recreation or welfare of a person who is currently a member of the RAN (permanent or reserve).
Contact Details
LCDR Tristan Skousgaard
(02) 6144 7190
RAN BP29-GF-198, PO Box 7890, Canberra BC, ACT 2610
tristan.skousgaard@defence.gov.au
Programs
KW funds are for Routine and Emergency Grants up to $5000 for current members of the Navy. Examples may include:
- essential living expenses after a family crisis such as a house fire, unexpected death or serious illness;
- providing a social support network for members with a serious medical condition (eg: catering assistance for a support group)
- medical treatment or health support expenses
- child care during a unexpected family crisis
- education or retraining costs for Navy members
Please also review National Providers for any additional services that may be offered in your area.
New South Wales
RSL Veterans’ Centre East Sydney
Proudly part of North Bondi RSL Sub-Branch
North Bondi RSL Sub-Branch provides welfare and advocacy services for Veterans and Serving Members.
Contact Details
Norbert Keough
Senior & Managing Advocate
Tel: 02 9389 7245 Fax: 02 9386 5631
Mobile: 0416 805 817
RSL Veterans Centre East Sydney,
18 Spring St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
norb@rslveteranscentre.org; info@rslveteranscentre.org
| Description | Delivery | Target Group | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Compensation & Advocacy Advice and support, including visits to jails and the homeless. |
Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | Various |
|
Health & Clinical Care Medical Practitioner, health education, information, claims assistance |
Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | At the Centre |
|
Mental Health Services Medical Practitioner, referrals to Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling , professional counselling (psychiatrist, psychologist) |
Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | At the Centre |
|
Appliances (professionally recommended) In association with Sydney DVA, and with support from tradesmen members |
Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | Various |
|
Daily Activities, Home & Transport Assistance On a case-by-case basis |
Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | Various |
|
Sports and Recreation Water sports, golfing, visits away |
Group: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | Various |
|
Transition Support
Support for discharging members, in particular those discharged on medical grounds |
Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | At the Centre |
| Legal & Financial Support Law graduate with military service. Access to Defence Home Credit and other donor sources |
Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | At the Centre |
Please also review National Providers for any additional services that may be offered in your area.
Northern New South Wales
Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans Association (APPVA)
APPVA provides compensation and welfare support to the greater Veterans’ community.
Contact Details
A. Thomas
0432 099 270
PO Box 557, Alstonville, NSW 2477
athomas642011@hotmail.com
Programs
- Provide advice and support in regards to pensions and welfare.
- Present on Training and Information Program (TIP) courses throughout NSW and ACT.
- Provide detailed list of entitlements to all who are entitled to receive benefits.
- Lead association dealing with people under the current Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act
Please also review National Providers for any additional services that may be offered in your area.
South Australia
Australian Flying Corps & Royal Australian Air Force Association
The Association provides welfare, advocacy, social and financial support for past, present and future members of the Air Force and their families.
Contact Details
Brent Espeland
0411 863 226
46 Blackler St, Semaphore, SA 5019
brent.espeland@gmail.com
- Care parcels for deployed personnel.
- Recreational and other bonding support for families welcoming home loved ones returning from deployment.
- Financial and housing support.
- Compensation and advocacy advice.
The Royal Australian Regiment Association (SA) Inc.
The Association is a not-for-profit mutual association of past and present infantry servicemen who have served in, or are currently serving in, a Infantry Battalion of the Regiment.
Contact Details
Michael von Berg (President)
0411 870 055
13 Beatty St, Linden Park, SA 5065
mvb@michaelvonberg.com
| Description | Delivery | Target Group | Location | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Activities Fitness, games, social activities, Trojan treks |
Group: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | At RARA HQ | SA |
| Vocational Training Computer skills |
Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | At RARA HQ | SA |
| Wellbeing Programs Arts, sports, recreation, wine appreciation, Reef, Beef and Burgundy Club |
Group: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | At RARA HQ | SA |
| Counselling One-on-one and family |
Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | At RARA HQ | SA |
| Transition Support Job seeking, CV drafting, career advice |
Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | At RARA HQ | SA |
Royal Society for the Blind
Operation K9 - our Assistance Dog Service - will provide Assistance Dogs to veterans referred to us by the RSL, and to service personnel who have been diagnosed and suffer from PTSD. Our future plans are to work with veterans and currently serving personnel with a broader range of disabilities and needs. We partner with the RSL.
Contact Details
Chris Muldoon (Manager)
(08) 8417 5619
11 Blacks Rd, Gilles Plains South, SA 5036
cmuldoon@rsb.org.au
| Description | Delivery | Target Group | Location | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistance Dogs | Individual: Face-to-Face | All Veterans | Royal Society for the Blind | SA |
Please also review National Providers for any additional services that may be offered in your area.
Victoria
Everyman’s Welfare Service (EWS)
The purpose of EWS is to provide philanthropic welfare support to Defence on base, out field and on operations.
Contact Details
Ken Matthews
(02) 6055 2257
PO Box 8 Milpo, Bandiana, VIC 3694
kenneth.matthews@defence.gov.au
| Description | Delivery | Target Group | Location | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Counselling Informal emotional first-aid and referrals with a Christian perspective. |
Individual: Face-to-Face | Current serving members | Various Bases | National |
Please also review National Providers for any additional services that may be offered in your area.
Contact Us
If you are an Ex-Service Organisation and would like to amend your information, or if you
would like to have your organisation added to the map, please contact us using these details:
ADF Rehabilitation Program email: ADF.Rehab@defence.gov.au
Please use this text in the Subject Line of your email: "Health, Rehabilitation and Recovery Directory"
Other States
There are currently no registrations for Tasmania, Northern Territory, Western Australia, Northern Queensland or Southern Queensland.
Please Contact Us if you would like to register an organisation.
