The Australian Government is investing $27 million to help fund bigger, better and more
innovative programs to support the wellbeing of current and former Australian Defence Force
personnel and their families.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said the new Veteran Wellbeing Grants program would help find and develop new ways to help the veteran community.
“I want to see ambitious and innovative ideas from right across the community that are going to make a real difference in the lives of our current and former service personnel and their families,” Minister Gee said.
“I have seen firsthand the positive impacts that some of the programs we fund have had on veteran health and wellbeing and we want more of it.
“We want to see more programs that bring veterans together, improve their mental and
physical health, and make the difficult transition from military to civilian life easier.
“There will be scope in the new grants to target larger, longer-term projects with funding of
up to $1.5 million, so groups can back their programs knowing the Australian Government is
backing them.
“Funding will continue to be available for smaller, grassroots projects.
“If you’re a community group or organisation with a good idea for improving veteran
wellbeing I encourage you to apply for this program so we can provide even more support
for the men and women who have served this nation.
“Importantly, we want local projects from local groups that best suit the needs of the defence
and veteran communities in those local areas. Experience tells us that those on the ground
know what works in their community.
“This Government is committed to improving the lives of our Defence personnel, veterans
and their families and we want to give every community group who shares this commitment
an opportunity to get involved.”
The new Veteran Wellbeing Grants will combine the current Veteran and Community Grants
and Supporting Younger Veterans programs as funding streams, with an additional $20
million in funding.
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 openarms.gov.au. 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 Defence.gov.au/health/healthportal. Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608.
Applications for the new Veteran Wellbeing Grants program will be available to all
community organisations through a competitive grants process run by the Department of
Veterans’ Affairs which is due to open in March.
More information about the Veteran Wellbeing Grants program will be released on the
Community Grants Hub website when applications open. (www.communitygrants.gov.au).