Wellbeing profile of Australia’s veterans

The following health and welfare domains are useful to keep in mind for assessing the relationship and possible impacts serving in the ADF has on the wellbeing of veterans and their families (AIHW 2018).

Housing

Serving ADF personnel have access to housing and rental assistance through Defence Housing Australia. However, their access to this housing support stops once they transition from the ADF.

In 2016, the majority of ex-serving ADF members (70% males, 68% females) lived in a home they owned (including those paying mortgages), similar to the Australian population (69% males and females overall).

Previously serving ADF veterans are more likely to live in regional areas (45%) compared to those who have never served. 

Homelessness

Of the veteran population who self-identify as current or previously serving members of the ADF, approximately 1,400 sought assistance from specialist homelessness services (SHS) in 2021–2022. The majority of these were residing in Victoria, followed by NSW and Queensland.

Social Support

The transition from civilian to military life can challenge a veteran's sense of identity, purpose and belonging. Social connections with family and friends are a protective factor for a veteran's wellbeing. 

Living circumstances

Understanding the living situation of ex-serving ADF members can provide insights on the informal social support provided by family, friends and those they live with. In 2016, the majority of ex-serving ADF males (83%) and females (84%) were living in family households. 

Social isolation

Social isolation has been identified as an issue of particular concern to the veteran community (DVA, 2015):

• One in 4 former ADF peacekeepers report feeling very socially isolated, compared with 2% of the Australian population (Hawthorne et al, 2014).

• For ADF groups deployed to the Solomon Islands, Bougainville and East Timor, separation from family and friends was a major stressor (McGuire et al. 2008, 2009)

• The impact of service life on family was the most common reason for transitioning from the ADF (Mental Health and Wellbeing Transition Study, 2015).

Social networks

Key data findings show:

• Over half (57%) of older DVA payment recipients are in contact with family or friends weekly (ABS 2014 General Social Survey).

• Around 28% of recently transitioned ADF members reported joining one or more ex-service organisations and 31% were members of a voluntary groups (Mental Health and Wellbeing Transition Study, 2015).

• DVA card holders (66%) are more likely to be involved in ex-service and social organisations than non-DVA card holders (DVA 2008).

Education and skills

Educational attainment across current and previous serving ADF personnel is similar to the never-served population overall. This is likely due to the range of training and development opportunities provided by the ADF to support their service. According to 2016 Census data:

• 38% of ex-serving ADF females had a bachelor degree or higher, compared with Australian females (26%). 

• 25% of ex-serving ADF males had a bachelor degree or higher, compared with Australian males (22%).

Employment

ADF personnel have a comparatively high rate of employment (95%) compared to the Australian population (47%) overall. Only 3% of working-age people who have served in the ADF are unemployed. 

Challenges

In spite of this, employment following separation from the ADF has been identified as an issue among the veteran community. There is an association among former ADF war-service personnel between low employment and poor mental health.

Risk factors for unemployment

Based on 2016 Census data, factors associated with an increased likelihood of ex-serving ADF members being unemployed were:

• being a rank other than Commissioned Officer at the time of separation from the ADF,

• separating involuntarily from the ADF (regardless for medical reasons or other reasons) compared with separating voluntarily,

• separating from the ADF more recently,

• serving for 5 years or less compared with those who had served 10 years or more,

• being male, and

• separating from the Navy compared with separating from the Air Force or Army.

Veteran Employment Program

The Veteran Employment Program (VEP) supports veterans who have transitioned (and their family members) find good quality jobs, by boosting recognition among businesses of their skills and experience. The VEP also supports veterans transitioning into tertiary education opportunities.  Read more about the Veteran Employment Program

Income and finance

According to 2016 Census data, ex-serving ADF members generally had a higher weekly personal income than the Australian population:

• 24% of ex-serving ADF males earned $2,000 and above per week, compared with 13% of Australian males

• 12% of ex-serving ADF females earned $2,000 and above per week, compared with 4.9% of Australian females.

Risk factors for low income

Among former ADF war service personnel, a significant relationship was found between lower income levels and diagnoses of PTSD and depression.

DVA financial support

DVA provides a range of pensions and allowances for wartime military service or compensation for injury and disability. Additionally, the Veteran Card allows veterans to access treatment for service-related conditions or injuries that DVA has approved as well as DVA-funded mental health treatment, if required.

Safety and justice

A small proportion of ADF personnel were arrested, convicted or imprisoned after leaving the ADF. According to self-reported data from the 2015 Transition and Wellbeing Study:

• 3% of recently transitioned (1–4 years before the study) had been arrested since leaving the ADF

• a further 2% had been convicted