State and Territory

ACT Office for Veterans

ACT Office for Veterans, opens in a new tab coordinate policy about issues affecting veterans and their families in the ACT and administer grants to improve the lives of the local veteran community.

• Towards Greater Veteran Wellbeing: A Feasibility Study to Support Veterans and their Families in the ACT - Final report, opens in a new tab, Yellow Edge for the ACT Government and the Department of Veterans' Affairs, (December 2020). In early 2020, the ACT Government, in partnership with DVA, agreed to commission an independent feasibility study to explore potential services as well as opportunities to tap into, and contribute to centres of veteran research excellence. Findings suggest that the vast majority of veterans in the ACT are in a reasonably good position. Many of their needs continue to bet met through a combination of services provided by DVA, mainstream ACT Government services and a broad range of services provided by the veteran services sector.
  • The exact number of ACT veterans living in the ACT remains unknown. The '2020 ACT Region Veteran Community Service Needs and Awareness survey', commissioned as part of this Feasibility Study, captured the perspectives, and needs of 210 ACT veterans and their family members, it represents a small fraction of the veteran community.
  • The services environment for veterans and their families appears to be a vibrant one. There are many small and large providers providing a range of services. The ex-service and veteran service organisations operating in the ACT provide services in the area of entitlements and advocacy, psychological and counselling services, welfare and referral services, outreach programs and a large number of social and sporting activities including yoga classes, coffee catchups, peer mentoring, dragon boating, and self-defence classes.

Invictus Australia

Local Engagement, opens in a new tab. Invictus Australia employs Veteran Engagement Managers in local communities, building connections with veterans, families, Ex-service organisations (ESOs), sporting partners and relevant services. To keep up to date with upcoming events local Facebook groups are available.

NSW Office for Veterans Affairs (OVA)

NSW Office for Veterans Affairs (OVA), opens in a new tab manages state programs commemorating and assisting veterans and their families in collaboration with all NSW Government agencies, the Australian Government, and community stakeholders. OVA also leads heritage and commemoration activities, and targeted programs and grants that support veterans to access employment and education opportunities that are critical for long-term wellbeing.

• NSW Veterans Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2030: A whole-of-government strategy and a whole-of-community approach for veterans and their families, opens in a new tab, NSW Government, (2025). Builds on the inaugural NSW Veterans Strategy 2021– 2024 and initiatives already underway across government and the community, but doesn't specifically mention sport as one of the key focus areas.
• NSW Veterans Strategy 2021–2024: A whole-of-government strategy and a whole-of-community approach for veterans and their families, opens in a new tab, NSW Government, (2021). The Strategy outlines the focus NSW will take to Veterans Affairs during the next 4 years. The Action Plan outlines specific commitments and targets to achieve those goals and will be updated during the course of the Strategy. Theme 3: Community and volunteering, highlights the role that sport can play in enhancing veterans' social connection, physical health, and overall wellbeing.
  • NSW Veterans Strategy 2023–2024 Final Report, opens in a new tab, (April 2025). Highlights some of the actions relating to sport undertaken through this strategy including: Expanding volunteering opportunities in sport for veterans, and the Office of Sport working with Invictus Australia and RSL NSW to provide sport and recreation opportunities for veterans.
  • NSW Veterans Action Plan 2023–2024, opens in a new tab. Action item 3.3 Community and volunteering: Expanding volunteering opportunities in sport. Using funding provided by the Office of Sport under the VetFit grant to Veteran Sport Australia, develop opportunities, including a digital platform, to support volunteering by veterans in sport and active recreation. Action item 3.9 Community and volunteering: Sport. The Office of Sport will explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership between veteran organisations and sporting organisations to increase participation by veterans in sport and active recreation.
  • NSW Veterans Strategy 2021–2022 Progress Report, opens in a new tab. Highlights some of the programs and services provided through partnerships between Invictus Australia and the NSW Office of Sport under the Community and volunteering theme.
• Free access to NSW National Parks, opens in a new tab. The 2025/26 NSW Government budget provided funding to expand free vehicle access to national parks in NSW to all Commonwealth Veteran Card holders. More information and apply for a pass through the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, opens in a new tab.

Invictus Australia

Local Engagement, opens in a new tab. Invictus Australia employs Veteran Engagement Managers in local communities, building connections with veterans, families, Ex-service organisations (ESOs), sporting partners and relevant services. To keep up to date with upcoming events local Facebook groups are available.

RSL NSW

Sport and Recreation Program, opens in a new tab. A social connection and wellbeing program inclusive of all veterans and their families. Program includes a variety of sub-Branch-led activities, both sport and recreation focused.

Veterans Queensland

Veterans Queensland, opens in a new tab is the central point of contact and coordination for veterans’ policy issues and Queensland Government commitments relating to veterans. The online portal aims to support Queensland veterans and their families, including people transitioning from the Australian Defence Force.

• Queensland Veterans and Veterans’ Families Strategy, opens in a new tab [under development, accessed 27 August 2025]. As we develop the state's first strategy for veterans and their families, we want to capture the knowledge and perspectives of veterans, their families, the community and businesses to ensure the most positive outcomes. One of the identified key pillars for consultation is 'community and sport'.

Invictus Australia

Local Engagement, opens in a new tab. Invictus Australia employs Veteran Engagement Managers in local communities, building connections with veterans, families, Ex-service organisations (ESOs), sporting partners and relevant services. To keep up to date with upcoming events local Facebook groups are available.

RSL Queensland

Rec Connect, opens in a new tab. Rec Connect helps veterans and their families connect through a diverse calendar of recreational events. Be it active, creative, outdoors or indoors, each RSL Rec Connect event is designed to help participants feel happier and more connected with others.

Veterans SA

Veterans SA, opens in a new tab is a South Australian Government agency that provides support to the veteran community and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.

• Veterans SA is proud to support the Power Community Limited ADF Veterans Program, opens in a new tab. Established in 2021 by Power Community Limited (PCL) – Port Adelaide Football Club’s not-for-profit charity arm.

Invictus Australia

Local Engagement, opens in a new tab. Invictus Australia employs Veteran Engagement Managers in local communities, building connections with veterans, families, Ex-service organisations (ESOs), sporting partners and relevant services. To keep up to date with upcoming events local Facebook groups are available.

Power Community Limited

Power Community Limited, opens in a new tab is the not-for-profit charity arm of the Port Adelaide Football Club. They work to harness the power of sport, our brand, and positive role models to create opportunities for children, young people and ADF Veterans to build skills, resilience, and connections—empowering them to shape their future and contribute to a more just, inclusive, and equitable society.

• ADF Veterans Program., opens in a new tab Delivered in partnership with Veterans SA and DEWC Services this program draws on the similarities of transitioning from high-performing environments, ex AFL-players and ADF veterans come together to re-identify a sense of purpose and community connection. Delivered over a six week period, outcomes seek to address challenges associated with transition, mental health, wellbeing and relationships. In addition to the six weeks, a number of events are delivered across the year with current and past program participants to promote ongoing connection and belonging.
• Power to Thrive., opens in a new tab A resilience and wellbeing program designed specifically for students from Australian Defence Force families. The program offers a wide range of tools and resources that address the mental, emotional and practical needs of military families. These tools are intended to help students thrive in any situation by covering themes such as gratitude, confidence, community connection, self-esteem, goal setting and character strengths with all themes linking strongly to the Port Adelaide Football Club’s player development program.

University of South Australia

WAVES Program, opens in a new tab, (accessed 5 November 2024). WAVES offers a variety of wellbeing activities for current and past serving veterans, first responders and their families. The aims of the program are to provide pathways for community reintegration, rehabilitation and recovery programs, goal setting and peer to peer activities to support wellbeing. WAVES has three current programs: Invictus Pathways Program (IPP) - 1:1 training with UniSA students on campus at UniSA; Community Adaptive Sports Program (CASP) - facilitated in the community; and Heart Health Program - a group exercise program delivered by UniSA students on campus at UniSA.

• Funded by Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA), in partnership with The Hospital Research Foundation, the IPP offered a fully funded PhD scholarship to investigate the long-term effect participation has on personnel’s health and wellbeing. Details of studies from the PhD are listed on the website.

Department of Premier and Cabinet

Veterans Programs, opens in a new tab. Community Policy and Engagement conducts many programs and services for Tasmania's veterans including grant funding, wellbeing initiatives, and commemoration events.

• Veteran Wellbeing Voucher Program, opens in a new tab. The objective of the Program is to enable veteran’s participation in healthy activities that will support their health and wellbeing and assist in developing social networks.

Invictus Australia

Local Engagement, opens in a new tab. Invictus Australia employs Veteran Engagement Managers in local communities, building connections with veterans, families, Ex-service organisations (ESOs), sporting partners and relevant services. To keep up to date with upcoming events local Facebook groups are available.

Invictus Australia

Local Engagement, opens in a new tab. Invictus Australia employs Veteran Engagement Managers in local communities, building connections with veterans, families, Ex-service organisations (ESOs), sporting partners and relevant services. To keep up to date with upcoming events local Facebook groups are available.

RSL Victoria

RSL Active, opens in a new tab,. Provides a way to connect with other veterans and develop social networks, share ideas, tell stories, enhance support circles, and improve physical and mental health.

Invictus Australia

Local Engagement, opens in a new tab. Invictus Australia employs Veteran Engagement Managers in local communities, building connections with veterans, families, Ex-service organisations (ESOs), sporting partners and relevant services. To keep up to date with upcoming events local Facebook groups are available.

RLS WA

RSL Active, opens in a new tab. Spanning a range of activities from kickboxing to yoga and everything in between, RSL Active have a range of programs and events to suit everyone. It’s not just about staying active; it’s about having fun, meeting new friends, and thriving in your post-Defence life.