Ways to Support Veterans in Australia

Why Supporting Veterans Has Never Mattered More

The numbers tell a sobering story. According to Australia's Veteran Support System at a Glance published by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, 581,139 Australians have served or are currently serving in the ADF, yet as at June 2024, only 352,077 veterans and family members had accessed DVA for support of any kind. That leaves a significant portion of the veteran community either unaware of what they're entitled to or too overwhelmed to pursue it.

Every Act of Support Matters for Veterans

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide's final report, delivered in September 2024, confirmed what many already knew: between 1997 and 2021, there were 1,677 confirmed suicides by serving and ex-serving members, 20 times more than the number of people killed in combat. The actual figure is believed to be even higher.

This is the context in which we support veterans. It is not abstract. Every person who steps up for a veteran, as a family member, a mate, an employer, or a professional advocate, can make a real difference.

Understand What Veterans Are Really Going Through

Before you can help, it pays to understand what many veterans are dealing with. Military service shapes people in ways that are hard to explain and sometimes harder to live with after discharge.

The Mental Health Reality

Data from the DVA Mental Health Prevalence report shows that almost three in four transitioned ADF members have experienced a mental health disorder at some stage during their lifetime. Ex-serving males are 25% more likely to die by suicide than the general Australian male population, and ex-serving females are nearly twice as likely.

These are not abstract statistics. They reflect real people who carried a heavy load during service, and who often carry it alone after they leave.

PTSD, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, and alcohol use are among the most common conditions veterans face post-discharge. Many don't seek help because of stigma, distrust of systems, or simply not knowing that funded treatment exists. You can learn more about how DVA mental health claims work and what support veterans are eligible to access.

The Entitlements Gap

Many veterans are sitting on unresolved DVA claims, or have never lodged one at all. The complexity of the claims process, combined with long wait times, is a known source of stress. The Royal Commission's interim report found that the veteran compensation system is so complex it can directly affect mental health and, in some cases, contribute to suicidality.

Getting a veteran's entitlements sorted isn't just a financial matter. It's often a matter of health, stability, and dignity.

How to Support a Veteran's Mental Health

Mental health support from friends and family is one of the most powerful forms of help a veteran can receive. You don't need to be a clinician to make a difference; you just need to show up.

Start with a Conversation

The simplest thing you can do is ask how they're going, and mean it. Don't rush to fix anything. Many veterans find it hard to open up, particularly to people who haven't shared the experience of service. Patience and consistency matter more than having the right words.

Avoid pushing a veteran to "get help" the moment they open up. Sometimes being heard is what they need most. That said, knowing when to point someone toward professional support is equally important.

Know the Right Services

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling is the DVA's nationally accredited mental health service, providing 24/7 free and confidential counselling for veterans and their families. In 2023–24, Open Arms delivered over 300,000 services to 42,445 veterans and family members. It's one of the most accessible and veteran-aware services available.

For immediate crisis support, DVA’s mental health support services page outlines several options and links to national services such as Lifeline and 1800RESPECT, alongside information about Open Arms and other veteran-specific supports.

Veterans are also eligible for Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC), which provides DVA-funded treatment for mental health conditions, including: 

• PTSD
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Alcohol use disorder
• Other substance use disorders

Eligible veterans who have served at least one day of continuous full-time service and hold a Veteran White Card can usually access this support. NLHC is often overlooked, and simply letting a veteran know it exists can be the prompt they need.

If you're close to a veteran and want to be better prepared to support them, the DVA-funded Mental Health First Aid training through Mental Health Protect is free and available to: 

• Family members
• Friends
• Community members

It equips you with practical skills to recognise warning signs and respond appropriately.

Help Veterans Access Their DVA Entitlements

This is where meaningful support gets practical. One of the most impactful ways to support a veteran is to help them understand and pursue the DVA entitlements they've earned.

What Veterans Can Claim

Under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (MRCA), veterans may be eligible for:

• Initial Liability Claims: Establishing that a condition is related to ADF service, which opens access to DVA-funded treatment and other entitlements, including potential compensation. Our initial liability claims service walks veterans through this from the start.
• Permanent Impairment Compensation: Once liability is accepted, veterans with a minimum of 10 impairment points may be eligible for MRCA entitlements, which can be paid as a lump sum or as ongoing payments. Learn more about our permanent impairment claims support.
• DVA Health Cards: Veterans who reach 60 or more MRCA impairment points may become eligible for a DVA Gold Card, which covers all clinically necessary medical treatment regardless of service connection.
• PTSD and Mental Health Claims: Service-related mental health conditions can be assessed and recognised by DVA, with access to funded treatment and other entitlements. Our dedicated PTSD claims service supports veterans through every step.

Many veterans don't realise how many conditions, physical and mental, are accepted by DVA. Encouraging them to have that initial conversation about their eligibility costs nothing and can make a real difference.

Why Professional Claims Support Matters

The DVA claims process is long. Claims for initial liability or permanent impairment generally take around 18–24 months from first lodgement to final decision, and the permanent impairment assessment alone can take up to 12 months once the assessment form is submitted, depending on the complexity of your case and the DVA delegate assigned to it.

This is where Veterans First Consulting comes in. We are an independent paid service, not a government agency, not a free ESO, and we work exclusively for the veteran. Our team includes former DVA delegates who understand the system from the inside, and we charge no upfront fees for our services. To date, we've guided over 9,000 veterans through the process to help them access the entitlements and support they are eligible for.

If you know a veteran who has never lodged a DVA claim, or who had one knocked back without professional help, encourage them to get in touch with us for an honest conversation about their eligibility.

Be There During the Claims Process

Once a veteran starts a DVA claim, the process can be frustrating, slow, and emotionally draining. This is when the people around them matter most.

Some claims involve detailed medical assessments, reviewing service records, and lengthy wait times. Veterans can feel like they're constantly proving themselves to a system that should already know what they've been through. That frustration is real and valid.

What helps most during this time:

• Checking in regularly, not just at the start of the process
• Helping with appointments or paperwork if they're struggling with day-to-day tasks
• Reminding them that delays are part of the system, not a reflection of their case's merit
• Encouraging them to work with experienced professionals who can manage the complexity and communication on their behalf

Support Veterans in Employment and Life After Service

Leaving the ADF is not like leaving any other job. It means leaving an identity, a community, a sense of mission, and sometimes a place to live, all at once. Supporting a veteran through this transition is one of the most practical things you can do.

Transitioning from military to civilian life is challenging, and many veterans do it without adequate preparation or support. If you're an employer, consider the value a veteran brings: 

• Discipline
• Adaptability
• Leadership under pressure
• The ability to work in high-stakes environments

If you're a friend or family member, practical support during transition could include:

• Helping with CV writing or interview prep, translating military experience into civilian language
• Being a regular source of social connection, especially in the first 12–18 months post-discharge
• Being patient when a veteran seems withdrawn or out of place, the adjustment is real and takes time

DVA also funds transition support services, including the VetPaths program for veterans entering Australian Public Service roles. Knowing these programs exist and pointing veterans toward them is genuinely useful.

Practical Ways to Show Up for Veterans Every Day

Support doesn't have to be grand gestures. It's often the small, consistent acts that matter most to veterans.

Here are some practical ways to support the veterans in your life:

• Be Consistent: A weekly check-in text or phone call signals you haven't forgotten them
• Don't Make Assumptions: Not every veteran has visible injuries or trauma; don't project
• Avoid the "hero" Framing: Many veterans feel uncomfortable being put on a pedestal; treat them as a person, not a symbol
• Learn the Basics of DVA: Knowing what your veteran friend might be eligible for means you can ask the right questions
• Offer Practical Help: Driving to appointments, sitting with someone at a doctor's visit, or helping organise documents goes further than most people realise
• Respect Boundaries: Not every veteran wants to talk about their service, and that's fine

If you're supporting someone who is showing signs of mental health distress or crisis, don't delay. Open Arms can be reached 24 hours a day.

Service Doesn't End When They Take Off the Uniform

Whether you're a family member helping a veteran understand their DVA options, a mate checking in after a hard week, or a professional providing guidance on available support, your involvement matters. If you know a veteran who hasn't explored their DVA entitlements, contact Veterans First Consulting today. We'll give them a straight answer about where they stand and what they may be eligible for.