What is the Veterans’ Chaplaincy Pilot Program?
The Veterans’ Chaplaincy Pilot Program (VPPP) offers chaplaincy support to transitioning members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), veterans and their families in three pilot locations of Townsville, Perth and Brisbane. The program provides another option to support those who need it most.
The objectives of the VCPP are to:
- facilitate access to spiritual health support and other Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) support programs;
- provide pastoral care, mentoring and education through transition and into civilian life;
- provide pastoral care and spiritual health during crisis, high intensity or acute events, in particular supporting adjustment, grief, and recovery; and
- develop, upskill and support community based faith leaders to deliver this support veterans and their families.
In the 2024-25 Budget, the Federal Government committed to extending the pilot program for a further 12 months to 20 June 2025.
Program context
Chaplains have long been a feature of the Australian military. Chaplains play an important role in providing spiritual, religious and pastoral support to serving ADF personnel and families, regardless of their religious beliefs. Many who have served in the ADF will have at one time or another, sought the support of chaplains.
Evidence before the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has highlighted the important role that ADF Chaplains can play in suicide prevention and care. This pilot will extend that support with a focus on veterans and families undergoing complex or challenging transitions from ADF service.
The VCPP aims to connect transitioning ADF members, veterans and their families with chaplains working in the program. By doing this, the effective and familiar support ADF personnel receive through ADF Chaplains can also be offered through transition and into post-service life.
Civilian religious organisations are not generally able to replicate the services provided by ADF Chaplains, as they can lack familiarity with the experience of veterans and their families and the context of military life. As a result, once someone has transitioned from the ADF, they lose access to this very specific service they once received.
The VCPP aims to enhance wrap-around support services within the civilian community for veterans and families. This includes upskilling community-based group leaders on veterans’ issues through the provision of training and support particularly in mental health and suicide prevention