The Department of Veterans' Affairs is a department of the

Government of Australia The Australian Government, also known as the Commonwealth Government or simply as the federal government, is the national Executive (government), executive government of Australia, a federalism, federal Parliamentary system, parliamentary con ...

, established in 1976, and charged with the responsibility of delivering government programs for war veterans, members of the

Australian Defence Force The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the Armed forces, military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia and its national interests. It consists of three branches: the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army and the Royal Aus ...

, members of the

Australian Federal Police The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is the principal Federal police, federal law enforcement agency of the Australian Government responsible for investigating Crime in Australia, crime and protecting the national security of the Commonwealth ...

, and their dependants. The current

Secretary A secretary, administrative assistant, executive assistant, personal secretary, or other similar titles is an individual whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, program evalu ...

of the Department of Veterans' Affairs is Alison Frame, who succeeded Elizabeth Cosson as secretary on 23 January 2023. For administration purposes, the department forms part of the Defence portfolio. The Minister for Defence acts on behalf of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs within the Cabinet. The head of the department is the

of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, currently Alison Frame, who is responsible to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Minister for Defence Personnel, and the Assistant Minister for Veterans' Affairs. The Secretary of the Department also has the responsibility of the Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.

Operational activities

The purpose of the department is to support the wellbeing of those who serve or have served in the defence of Australia, and their families. The department deals with the following matters: *

Repatriation Repatriation is the return of a thing or person to its or their country of origin, respectively. The term may refer to non-human entities, such as converting a foreign currency into the currency of one's own country, as well as the return of mi ...

income support, compensation and health programmes for veterans, members of the Defence Force, certain mariners and their dependants. *Delivering meaningful commemorations, including promotion of understanding of Anzac Day,

Remembrance Day Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces me ...

and Vietnam Veterans' Day. * Maintaining or providing war graves and memorials. * Defence Service Homes.

Agencies

In carrying out its functions, the department administers the following agencies: *

Australian War Memorial The Australian War Memorial (AWM) is a national war memorial, war museum, museum and archive dedicated to all Australians who died as a result of war, including peacekeeping duties. The AWM is located in Campbell, Australian Capital Territory, C ...

*Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission * Office of Australian War Graves *Repatriation Commission *Repatriation Medical Authority *Specialist Medical Review Council *Veterans’ Children Education Boards * Veterans' Review Board

Key legislation

The Department of Veterans' Affairs is responsible for administration of several key Acts: * * * * *

Key officeholders

Department secretary

The Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs is Alison Frame, since 23 January 2023. In addition to her role of departmental secretary, she is also the President of the Repatriation Commission and Chair of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission. Below is a full list of the Department's Secretaries since it was established.

Other key officeholders

Other key officeholders in the department are the Deputy President of the Repatriation Commission, currently Kate Pope PSM; the Repatriation Commissioner, currently Don Spinks AM; and the Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner, currently Gwen Cherne

References

External links

Department of Veterans' Affairs website

Anzac Portal commemorative website

Australia Government Administrative Arrangement Orders
{{authority control 1976 establishments in Australia Veterans' Affairs Ministries established in 1976 Veterans' affairs in Australia

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...