TRANSITION FRONT AND CENTRE AT INVICTUS18 SYMPOSIUM

THE challenges around veterans transitioning from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to civilian life will be the focus of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Invictus18 Symposium being held at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney today.

Opening the symposium, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said it provided an important opportunity for decision makers and subject matter experts from Australia and overseas to discuss challenges facing veterans when transitioning from defence service to civilian life.

“Each year, around 5,500 Australian Defence Force men and women transition into civilian life, many do this successfully, however for some this move is not as easy or positive as it could be,” Mr Chester said.

“Improving transition from ADF to civilian life is a priority our Government and this symposium presents an excellent opportunity to explore new ideas, hear from experts and our international counterparts about what we can do better.

“Our Government is focussed on improving employment opportunities, access to health care as well providing greater support for veterans and their families but there is more to be done.”

Mr Chester said the Invictus18 Symposium will explore the theme of Transition of Defence Force Personnel and other important issues affecting our personnel including Mental Health and Well-being, Education and Employment and discuss opportunities that we could potentially adopt in Australia.

“These discussions will highlight how Australia supports veterans and families through transition,” Mr Chester said.

“Our Government is putting veterans and their families first and provides more than $11.2 billion each year to deliver the essential services and programs they rely on.”

The symposium builds on the Families and Employment forums DVA hosted in Sydney yesterday and key outcomes from those sessions would be presented and discussed.

Outcomes from the Employment and Families forums and today’s symposium will be presented to the International Veterans Ministerial 5-Eyes conference that will be held in Sydney this weekend.

Further details can be found at www.dva.gov.au/invictus2018.