Veterans Chaplaincy Pilot Program

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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

May your healing hand rest upon me now as I bless all those who have hurt me. I desire to be kind and compassionate to everyone, forgiving them just as you have forgiven me. I ask for the healing power of your love to flow through every cell of my body and into the lives of those whom I have forgiven.

Amen.

Program Locations

The VCPP is trialling support to veterans and families in Perth, Brisbane and Townsville.

Who is eligible for assistance?

All transitioning members of the ADF as well as veterans and their families.

Training for faith leaders

The VCPP is developing training resources for community faith group leaders. The resources will include an emphasis on suicide prevention program, the nature of ADF service and supports, transition process and supports available to veterans and families.

What support will be available for faith group leaders to support veterans?

The VCPP is developing a range of support resources to help community based faith leaders provide appropriate support for veterans and families including:

How to conduct a military funeral
How to conduct a memorial service
How to conduct an Anzac Day or Remembrance Day service
How to access suicide prevention support
How to connect veterans and families to appropriate support
How to lead veteran or family small group sessions.

Is this just a Christian Program?

No, the VCPP aims to provide support to people of any or no religious adherence. Its aim to principally provide pastoral care and counselling, spiritual health support and, if appropriate religious support.

How do I contact a Veterans’ Chaplain?

You can contact a Veterans’ Chaplain through the normal DVA support channels:

DVA Triage & Connect on 1800 VETERAN/1800 838 372
24/7 Support through Open Arms on 1800 011 046
ADF Chaplains can also access support from veterans’ Chaplains

You can phone Lifeline to speak to a Crisis Supporter on 13 11 14, text 0477 131 114 or chat to Lifeline online at www.lifeline.org.au (all services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

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ACU welcomes final report into veterans’ suicides

Australian Catholic University has welcomed the release of the final report from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

After three years of investigation and almost 6000 submissions, the royal commission delivered 122 recommendations focused on veteran health and wellbeing, including the transition to civilian life.

ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Zlatko Skrbis has commended the commission for its efforts and its findings.

“The work of the commissioners has been exemplary, and we now have some very clear and actionable guidelines for improving the wellbeing of our veterans and their family members,” Professor Skrbis said.

He also noted that ACU’s efforts to support the veteran community were acknowledged in the report.

“For the past five years, ACU has been working to support veterans and their families. We have an outstanding suite of services and programs to support veterans and family members who wish to attend university. It is pleasing to see that our efforts are making a difference.”

ACU’s Student Veteran Services is dedicated to easing the transition from military life into university. It runs a series of programs specifically designed to help veterans and families succeed in their studies. This includes the Veteran Transition Program, a bridging course that introduces veterans to academic skills needed to thrive at university.

Andrew Condon is a 27-year veteran of the Australian Army and ACU’s Industry Professor for Veterans and their Families. He also welcomed the delivery of the commission’s final report, noting that the veteran service sector needs greater oversight and co-ordination.

“The current veteran support system is more an accident of history than a carefully crafted design,” Mr Condon said.

This has been confirmed by ACU’s Australian Veteran Services Mapping Project, which was prepared for and tabled by the commission.

“This report shows that the veteran services landscape is far too difficult for the veteran community to navigate – meaning that some people may not be able to find the help that they need,” Mr Condon said.

“Research will be vital in providing a stronger evidence base to gain a deeper understanding about the needs of current and ex-serving veterans and their families. It is critical that we work with the Government to translate that research into practice.”

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