The information contained both here and in all outside material linked within contains references to the topics of suicide and suicide prevention. Should you require any support or assistance, please click Support Services for a full range of support.
About the Royal Commission
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was established on 8 July 2021 and is a significant opportunity to address the devastating impact of Defence and Veteran suicide in Australia.
The Commissioners are required and authorised to inquire into matters including:
- Any systemic issues and common themes among defence and veteran deaths by suicide, or have lived experience of suicidal behaviour or associated risk factors
- Contributing risk factors
- Then impact of cultures within ADF, the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the physical and mental wellbeing of defence members and veterans
- Any systemic issues in current availability and effectiveness on relevant support services
Click below to read the Royal Commission's full Terms of Reference.
Lived Experience Report
On 20 June 2024, Royal Commissioners, Nick Kaldas APM (Chair), The Hon James Douglas KC and Dr Peggy Brown AO presented the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s lived experience book to the Governor-General, His Excellency, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd). The book, Shining a Light: Stories of Trauma & Tragedy, Hope & Healing, was then tabled in Parliament on the same day.
Click the button below to read the full book.
RSL Victoria Supports the Royal Commission
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Interim Report
The Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was released on 11 August 2022.
The Interim Report provides commentary on the following:
- summary of work undertaken
- preliminary observations
- recommendations about urgent and immediate issues
Visit the Royal Commission website or click below to read the Interim Report.
Support Services
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide may raise issues for some members. Help is available if you are in need of support.
Defence Force Support Services:
Open Arms is a free 24 hour, 7 days a week national counselling service for Australian veterans and their families. 1800 011 046.
Defence member and family helpline is a 24 hour, 7 days a week support line that can connect defence members and their families with their local DMFS team. 1800 624 608
Defence All-hours Support Line is a 24 hour, 7 days a week confidential telephone service for defence members and their families that can help defence members and their families to access ADF or civilian mental health services more easily. 1800 628 036
Defence and Veterans Legal Service is a free national service that provides independent information and legal advice to support Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans, as well as their families, carers and supporters, to safely share their experiences with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. 1800 33 1800
RSL Victoria Support:
RSL Victoria can help connect current members of the ADF and veterans with counselling and mental health support as well as direct welfare, advocacy and wellbeing services.
Victorian Veterans in need of support can contact their local RSL Sub-Branch or RSL Victoria’s Veteran Central (VETCEN) between the hours of 9-5 Monday to Friday via 1300 MILVET (1300645 838).
Support Services for Non-Veterans and Those Unaffiliated with the Defence Force:
Suicide Call Back Service is a free nationwide service providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide. 1300 659 467
Lifeline Australia is a free 24-hour, 7 day a week crisis support line. 13 11 14
Beyond Blue is a free short-term counselling service. 1300 224 636
Hearing Blocks & Summaries
The Royal Commission is holding Hearing Blocks across Australia. The purpose of these hearings is for the Commission to hear evidence for the purposes of its inquiry.
Dates, transcripts and archived livestreams from previous Hearing Blocks can be viewed by clicking the button below.
The next Hearing Block will be held in Sydney from 20 November, 2023.
Hear us: RSL Victoria urges Royal Commission to be a force for change
RSL Victoria welcomes the commencement of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (The Royal Commission)
Veteran Support
RSL Victoria is here to provide assistance and support to past and present service personnel and their families.
The longest war
Gwen Cherne is an advocate, mother, and widow. In our exclusive interview, Gwen shares recollections from her time as an aid worker in Afghanistan, the story of how she met and fell in love with her husband, and an insight into her new found purpose of using her voice to advocate for veterans and their families.
