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Empowering Veteran Wellbeing: Over $3.7 Million in Grants
On 30 October 2024, the Hon Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, announced a major initiative by the Albanese Labor Government to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of Australia’s veterans. Through the 2023-24 Veteran Wellbeing Grants program, more than $3.7 million has been awarded to community organisations nationwide. This funding supports a diverse range of projects designed to address the unique needs of veterans, fostering both health and social connectedness across the country.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, announced the funding, emphasising the government’s commitment to veterans’ wellbeing. “I’m proud to announce that more than $3.7 million has been allocated to community organisations all over the country,” Keogh stated. "Programs like these not only help maintain the physical health of veterans, they also provide valuable opportunities for veterans to connect, with ongoing benefits for their mental health."
Grants Empower Community-Led Wellbeing Programs
A total of 69 grants have been awarded, enabling community organisations to deliver programs that provide social and therapeutic support, skill-building, and recreational activities for veterans. Some notable programs include:
- Wheelchair AFL Competitions: RSL Victoria received $37,000 to support veterans in wheelchair AFL, fostering both physical fitness and team spirit.
- Veterans’ Culinary Wellness Program: Soldier On, based in the Australian Capital Territory, was awarded $50,000 to provide culinary wellness courses, helping veterans engage in social activities while building life skills.
- Female Veterans’ Resilience Mentors Program: In Western Australia, The Resilience Shield Pty Ltd was granted nearly $150,000 to fund resilience mentoring for female veterans, supporting their transition to civilian life and building leadership.
Minister Keogh highlighted the significance of the wide array of programs being supported, including trauma-informed yoga, music therapy, mentoring, and healthy cooking classes. Each project is tailored to support different aspects of wellbeing and to encourage community engagement.
A complete list of recipients for the 2023-24 round is provided below. The 2024-25 Veteran Wellbeing Grants program will open in November. For more information, visit the DVA website at www.dva.gov.au/vwg.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Federation ACT Inc. | Audio-visual equipment | $2,077.00 |
Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Federation ACT Inc. | Facilities upgrade | $2,090.00 |
Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Federation ACT Inc. | Facilities upgrade | $3,780.00 |
Soldier On | Emotional Intelligence for Veteran Parents - Strengthening Bonds and Resilience in Veteran Families | $46,000.00 |
Soldier On | Veterans’ Culinary Wellness Program | $50,000.00 |
RSL Australia ACT Branch | Social connectedness program | $1,650.00 |
Soldier On | Strengthening Veterans Through Equine-Assisted Therapy | $122,770.57 |
The Royal Australian Regiment Foundation | Mentor and mentee program | $109,153.00 |
Frontline Yoga Inc. | Mental wellbeing and mindfulness program | $90,792.00 |
SUB TOTAL |
| $428,312.57 |
NEW SOUTH WALES
Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia - NSW Branch Inc. | Veterans and families wellbeing retreat | $16,030.00 |
RSL LifeCare Ltd | Facilities upgrade | $25,179.20 |
RSL LifeCare Ltd | Social connectedness and wellbeing program | $45,746.00 |
Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia Ltd | Community music engagement program | $49,600.00 |
RSLA (NSW Branch) | Social connectedness and wellbeing program | $8,548.00 |
Australian International Military Games | Surf therapy program | $47,323.55 |
Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia St Mary's Outpost Sub Branch Inc. | Social connectedness and wellbeing program | $38,500.00 |
National Rugby League Ltd | The Battlefields to Footy Fields program | $150,000.00 |
Veterans Centre Mid-North Coast Inc. | Facilities upgrade | $149,050.00 |
Australian War Widows NSW Ltd | Women in Leadership Development program | $92,000.00 |
Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia Ltd | Guitars for Vets program expansion | $87,000.00 |
SUB TOTAL |
| $708,976.75 |
QUEENSLAND
Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
The Legacy Club Of Brisbane Ltd | Grief Education Camps | $40,521.64 |
Bundaberg District Women Veterans Inc. | Wellbeing Activities Program | $11,250.00 |
RSLA (QLD Branch) Currumbin Palm Beach | Veteran Unity - Social Connectedness and Wellbeing Program | $50,000.00 |
RSLA (QLD Branch) Murgon Sub Branch Inc. | Facilities upgrade | $42,948.00 |
RSLA (QLD Branch) Bribie Island Sub Branch | Purchase and provision of equipment | $48,519.00 |
RSLA (QLD Branch) Gympie Sub Branch Inc. | Gympie Veteran Centre Health and Wellbeing Initiative | $18,358.44 |
Caboolture-Morayfield RSLA (QLD Branch) | Facilities upgrade | $21,970.00 |
RSLA (QLD Branch) Bribie Island Sub Branch | Breaking the Barriers Program | $18,270.00 |
The Athena Project | Advocacy Support Network and training program | $25,000.00 |
The Oasis Townsville Ltd | Back on Track program | $27,500.00 |
Btstraps Inc. | Health and wellness project | $26,749.80 |
RSLA (QLD Branch) Mareeba Sub Branch Inc. | Health and wellbeing project | $29,000.00 |
Diggers Rest @ Diggers Rest Pty Ltd | Veterans helping Veterans program | $25,668.00 |
Australian Flying Corps and Royal Australian Air Force Association QLD Division Inc. | Social connectedness activities | $8,800.00 |
RSLA Agnes Water/1770 Sub Branch (QLD Branch) | Facilities upgrade | $13,815.45 |
RSLA (QLD Branch) South Eastern District Ltd | Social connectedness activities | $3,600.00 |
Veteran Gaming Australia Ltd | Social connectedness events | $138,818.00 |
Far North Queensland Legacy Club Inc. | Delivery of a project aimed at enhancing accessibility to services and support for veteran families | $142,697.90 |
Gateway Care Ltd | Music and creativity workshops | $70,000.00 |
National Servicemen's Association of Australia (Qld) Inc. | Facilities upgrade | $83,814.00 |
Veteran Support Force Ltd | Veteran Games 2024 | $150,000.00 |
Yabun Panjoo Aboriginal Corporation | Cultural and wellbeing camps | $117,165.00 |
The Oasis Townsville Ltd | Social connectedness arts program | $85,750.00 |
Association of Veteran Surfers Inc. | Battle on the Break surfing competition | $48,400.00 |
SUB TOTAL |
| $1,248,615.23 |
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
Frontline Mental Health Pty Ltd | Mental health and wellbeing program | $50,000.00 |
A Stable Life Counselling Service Pty Ltd | Building project to enhance equine activities program | $7,686.00 |
Magill RSL Sub Branch Inc. | Facilities upgrade | $22,035.00 |
Simple Healthcare Solutions Pty Ltd | Produce podcasts | $50,000.00 |
RSL (Mount Gambier Sub Branch and Memorial Club) Inc. | Purchase a screen and projector | $11,773.18 |
RSL Care South Australia Inc. | Upgrades to affordable housing sites | $68,930.00 |
Lidia Hall - Resolute Ready | Education Backpack: An online tool to assist ADF children’s transition into civilian life | $72,000.00 |
RSL Henley and Grange Sub Branch Inc. | Health, wellbeing and social connectedness workshops | $124,117.00 |
SUB TOTAL |
| $406,541.18 |
TASMANIA
Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
Tasmanian Adventure Cruises Pty Ltd | On Water Skills courses | $49,850.00 |
Launceston RSL Sub Branch Inc. | Facilities upgrade | $14,864.00 |
Devonport RSL Sub Branch Inc. | Facilities upgrade | $11,260.00 |
Lindisfarne RSL Sub Branch Inc. | Social connectedness activities | $6,500.00 |
SUB TOTAL |
| $82,474.00 |
VICTORIA
Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
Berwick RSL Sub Branch Inc. | Facilities upgrade | $23,419.08 |
RSLA (Victorian Branch) Inc. | Support a team of veterans to participate in wheelchair AFL competitions | $37,000.00 |
Inverloch RSL Sub Branch Inc. | Bonsai tree educational workshop | $11,650.00 |
Goorambat Veterans' Retreat Inc. | Facilities upgrade | $50,000.00 |
Seaford RSL Sub Branch Inc. | Social connectedness activities | $7,410.00 |
RSLA (Victorian Branch) Inc. | Female veterans’ advisory group and initiatives | $94,000.00 |
Vasey RSL Care Limited | V Centre – Veteran Empowerment Program (Vehicles) | $142,439.00 |
My Inspiration Never Dies Pty Ltd | Wellbeing workshops | $110,909.00 |
SUB TOTAL |
| $476,827.08 |
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Recipient | Funding description | Amount |
The Resilience Shield Pty Ltd | Female-only veteran retreat | $41,938.75 |
Hudson Road Family Centre Inc. | Connecting Veterans support group, social connectedness and wellbeing activities | $46,220.00 |
Invisible Injuries Australia Ltd | Resilience in the Real World Project | $42,120.00 |
The Resilience Shield Pty Ltd | Veterans' Resilience Mentors Program | $149,397.36 |
RSLA WA Branch Inc. - Own Right | Veteran wellness retreats | $134,780.00 |
SUB TOTAL |
| $414,456.11 |
TOTAL |
| $3,766,202.92 |
Building a Future for Veteran Wellbeing
This year’s Veteran Wellbeing Grants program highlights the Australian government’s dedication to empowering community organisations that address the multifaceted needs of veterans. By supporting tailored, local programs, these grants aim to help veterans maintain active lifestyles, build resilience, and forge meaningful connections within their communities.
The upcoming 2024-25 round of the Veteran Wellbeing Grants program will open in November, offering further opportunities for organisations to apply and contribute to the ongoing support of Australian veterans. Interested organisations can learn more about the program and submit applications via the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website.
For more information, visit the Veteran Wellbeing Grants page.
Adding to the fabric of veteran support, The BrandNet Group, one of Australia’s largest private donors to military and service-linked charities, has consistently supported organisations dedicated to improving the lives of current and former serving members and their families. BrandNet has contributed thousands of hours to veteran-focused initiatives, donated over $1 million in direct funding, and assisted veteran organisations in raising millions for their causes while actively engaging Australians in sharing the nation’s proud military history. Learn more about BrandNet’s community support.
