About the Royal Commission
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was an important investigation into the deaths by suicide of current and former members of the Australian Defence Force.
Established on 8 July 2021, the Royal Commission examined systemic issues that contribute to these deaths, along with any common themes surrounding them.
The Royal Commission released an Interim Report on 11 August 2022, which outlined a summary of work undertaken, preliminary observations and 13 recommendations about urgent and immediate issues.
The Royal Commission concluded with the delivery of its Final Report on 9 September 2024. The report included 122 recommendations, which focused on:
- Improving organisational culture and safety within both the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- A stronger focus on data collection and sharing to ensure effective service delivery
- Streamlining claims processing
- Enhancing mental health and wellbeing support for veterans and their families.
For more information, visit the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Our role throughout the Royal Commission
Throughout the Royal Commission, the Victorian Veterans Council continued its legislated responsibility to monitor and advise the Minister for Veterans on issues affecting Victoria’s ex-service community and consulting with the ex-service community to inform its advice.
Response to the Final Report
The Commonwealth Government released its response to the Final Report on 2 December 2024. The Commonwealth accepted in-full or in-principle 104 recommendations, noted 17 for further consideration and did not accept one recommendation in part.
The Victorian Veterans Council is working with the Victorian Government to help inform their consideration of the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
Royal Commission enquiries
The Royal Commission has now concluded. If you have any questions about the Royal Commission’s website, published submissions or general feedback, these can be directed to the Commonwealth’s Attorney-General’s Department.
An enquiry form can be submitted via the Attorney-General's Department website.
Alternatively, phone enquiries can be made to the Attorney-General’s Department on (02) 6141 6666.
Helplines and crisis support
The Royal Commission was a difficult process for many people in the veteran community.
If you or someone you know requires support, the following services provide free and confidential counselling for current and former defence members and their families.
24/7 support services
- Contact Emergency Services on Triple Zero (000) for immediate support in life threatening or emergency situations.
- Open Arms: 1800 022 046
- Safe Zone Support: 1800 142 072
- Defence Member and Family Helpline: 1800 624 608
- Defence All-hours Support Line: 1800 628 036
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Lifeline Crisis Chat
- Beyond Blue: 1800 224 636
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or Online Counselling
- 1800Respect: Call 1800 737 732, Text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
- Suicide Line: 1300 651 251 or Online Counselling
More information on services available to veterans and their families can be found under Veteran and family support.
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