Defence families come from many different places, backgrounds, experiences and cultures, but one thing they have in common is they all care deeply for someone serving in the Australian Defence Force.

On United Nations International Day of Families, marked annually on May 15, Defence recognises and thanks Defence families for their love, support and contribution to Defence’s culture, community and national capability.

The theme this year is Every Family, Everywhere, recognising and celebrating the diversity of Australian families and making sure every family feels seen, valued and supported.

Chief of Personnel Lieutenant General Natasha Fox said families were integral to Defence capability and played a vital role in enabling service personnel to fulfil their mission.

“I would like to thank and acknowledge Defence families across Australia and beyond, for their love, patience and continued support of their own ADF members. Your contribution is essential, and Defence could not operate without you,” Lieutenant General Fox said.

“The support you provide to your loved ones in uniform not only helps them perform at their best, but it will help Defence deliver on the National Defence Strategy and meet the complex and compounding challenges before us.”

Across Europe, Africa, North America and the Pacific, many personnel are experiencing family life on overseas postings.

While overseas postings bring opportunities and challenges, they also come with additional complexities of cultural and language differences, different time zones and being further away from families and friends.

This is when community and connections become crucial to navigating military life overseas.

Elli, who is on a posting in the United States, said her family was embracing American life.  

'Your contribution is essential, and Defence could not operate without you.'

“Our family has thrown itself into local life here and made deep connections across cultures. It’s a privilege that we are forever grateful for,” Elli said.

“We are a long way from our Australian family, which has its own challenges, but as with other postings we seem to choose others here that become like family to us. We now have friends and family across the globe.”  

Wendy, also based in the United States, said being posted overseas often meant reaching out to other families to be back-ups, emergency contacts and just to be there for each other, particularly during difficult times.  

“We have our own families on the other side of the world in Australia, but here we have many Australian and International military families in the same situation as us, and we all step up to support each other,”  Wendy said.

“It’s a terrific community that we will always treasure.”  

There is a network of support available to Defence families 24/7. Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) Branch is the first point of contact for families to access support services and programs to meet the challenges and opportunities of military life.

Families can connect with the DMFS Helpline (1800 624 608) for help, support and advice at any time, day or night. The helpline is staffed by social workers and psychologists.

Members and families who are living overseas can contact the helpline by calling +61 2 6127 1600.

The DMFS helpline can also be reached via email at: memberandfamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au