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31 Mar 2015	Minister Launches Phoenix Australia: Centre For Posttraumatic Mental Health Launching the Phoenix Australia: Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health at The University of Melbourne, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, today highlighted the Government’s ongoing commitment to posttraumatic mental health. Phoenix Australia is the new name of the former Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, now in its 20th year of operation. More.....
31 Mar 2015	ASPI Australia’s Future Surface Fleet Conference It is a great pleasure to address this conference of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). For more than a decade, ASPI has positioned itself as a significant contributor to the national security debate in Australia and our nation is richer for this contribution. Your contribution has gone beyond ASPI’s role of providing contestable advice on defence issues. More.....
30 Mar 2015	Australia’s most decorated canine has died Australia’s most decorated canine war hero, Sarbi, has died after a short battle with brain cancer. The former Australian Army explosive detection dog, who went missing for almost 14 months in Afghanistan, suffered a number of seizures in recent weeks and scans revealed a brain tumour. “Sarbi had a wonderful life serving Australia as an explosive detection dog and as a pet at home for the last five years,” Warrant Officer Class Two Simpson said. More.....
30 Mar 2015	Transcript – Press Conference with Vice Admiral David Johnston and Air Commodore Joe Iervasi – Update on Australian Defence Force Operations Read.....
27 Mar 2015	First Pass approval for ANZAC Air Search Radar Replacement The Australian Government had provided First Pass approval for project SEA 1448 Phase 4B – ANZAC Air Search Radar Replacement. The ANZAC frigates use their air search radar to scan at long ranges for potential threats. The radar is an integral part of a modern warship and important for ensuring the safety of the vessel and other friendly ships in dangerous areas. More.....
27 Mar 2015	New flight simulator for Navy helicopter crews The Minister for Defence, Kevin Andrews, and the Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis, today announced that the first of two Navy MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’ flight simulators had been commissioned into service. The Seahawk Romeo training system is part of the $3.2 billion dollar investment that will deliver 24 new Seahawk Romeo naval combat helicopters. More.....
26 Mar 2015	Minister for Defence -Media Statement – Opposition Announcement on Submarines Today, Bill Shorten and the Labor Party proposed to delay the Future Submarine Programme by an additional five years, on top of the six years of delay and inaction when Labor was in government. Defence advises that a formal limited tender process would take around five years – not the 18 months Labor claims – delaying even further the essential work of developing and building the future submarine. More.....
26 Mar 2015	NVN's March newsletter NOTE from Webmaster: If you are a member and haven't been receiving your monthly newsletters by email, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date. To correct this, contact the webmaster at: and he will copy and amend your address.
25 Mar 2015	Veterans and ADF Members Exempt From Changes to Workers' Compensation Legislation In recognition of the unique nature of military services, ADF Members and veterans will be exempt from changes to the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRCA) announced in Parliament today. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson and Assistant Minister for Defence today revealed that ADF members and veterans will be exempt from all but two of the proposed changes. More.....
25 Mar 2015	Launch of RSL Spirit of ANZAC Grevillia A special plant propagated especially for the Centenary of Anzac was launched today at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show by the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson. More.....
25 Mar 2015	Minister for Defence – Speech – RUSI Submarine Summit Distinguished guests, industry leaders, thank you for this opportunity. It is a great pleasure to address the Royal United Services Institute, one of the great contributors to the national security debate in Australia. It is timely, that today I have been asked to speak on ‘Defining the Right Capability for Australia’. More.....
24 Mar 2015	Opinion Editorial – Adelaide Advertiser, Defence Supplement The first priority of a national Government is the safety and security of its citizens. In recent times we have faced complex national security challenges which remind us that Australia is not immune from emerging global threats. More.....
21 Mar 2015	Minister for Defence – Speech – Operation Slipper commemorative service – Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne Operation SLIPPER commenced – as part of an allied response – following the terrible attacks against the United States on 11 September 2001. As a nation, we express our gratitude for the heroism, sacrifice and dedication of the Australian men and women who served in Afghanistan and the wider Middle East Area of Operations through Operation Slipper. More.....
20 Mar 2015	Pension Increase For Veterans Veterans, their partners, war widows and widowers across Australia will see an increase to their pensions from today as part of the bi-annual indexation process. As pension rates are calculated on a daily basis, the next pension paid after the 20 March increase (on payday 2 April 2015) will be paid partly at the old rate and partly at the new rate. The first full payment at the new pension rates will be 16 April. More.....
20 Mar 2015	BEST Grant Funding Round 17 (2015-16) Applications are now invited for funding under BEST Round 17 for the 2015-16 financial year. Applications will be accepted from 16 March 2015 to 17 April 2015. The following documents are available to help with applying for a BEST grant. More..... NOTE: The Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program supports ex-service organisation (ESO) practitioners and advocates to provide pensions and welfare assistance to the veteran and Defence community.
19 Mar 2015	HMAS Cerberus on parade More than 700 sailors, soldiers, airmen and women stood proudly on parade at HMAS Cerberus to observe the tradition of Ceremonial Divisions on 13 March. Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer acted as Reviewing Officer for the ceremonial parade and addressed both the parade and onlookers, complimenting them on their standard of dress and bearing. More.....
19 Mar 2015	Operation PACIFIC ASSIST Update The Australian Defence Force has increased its response to the Australian aid mission to Vanuatu following the departure of HMAS Tobruk overnight for Vanuatu with 335 personnel onboard. More.....
19 Mar 2015	Government Launches Mental Health App For Past and Present Military Personnel A new mobile phone app to help serving and ex-serving ADF personnel manage stress and build their psychological resilience is available to download for free from the iOS app store and Android Google Play. More.....
18 Mar 2015	Minister for Defence – Opening speech for international conference – Gallipoli 1915: a century on – Llewellyn Hall, The Australian National University Today is a very important anniversary – as important to Turkish nationhood as Anzac Day is to Australians and New Zealanders. 100 years ago today, Turkey repulsed the British and French fleet at Chanakkale, decisively ending their attempt to force the straits. Four days later, the fateful decision was made to commit to amphibious landings at Gallipoli. More.....
17 Mar 2015	R 130739Z MAR 15 FM CN AUSTRALIA BT SUBJ: DESIGNATION OF NAVYS FLAGSHIP 1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO FORMALISE THE DESIGNATION OF HMAS CANBERRA AS THE FLAGSHIP OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY 2. THE COMMISSIONING OF CANBERRA AND THE PROGRESSION TO TASK GROUP CENTRED OPERATIONS PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE A FLAGSHIP INTO THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY. THE NAVY FLAGSHIP IS A SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION OF THE LEAD SHIP OF THE RAN WITH A RESULTANT INCREASE IN ITS ABILITY TO SHAPE AND INFLUENCE THROUGH PRESENCE AND THE CONDUCT OF SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIONAL AND CEREMONIAL. AS THE FLAGSHIP IT WILL PROVIDE THE PRIMARY PLATFORM FROM WHICH TO SUPPORT NAVY, ADF AND GOVERNMENT 'SOFT POWER' ROLES. WHILE ANY SHIP CAN BE CALLED UPON TO DO ANY OF THE ROLES OUTLINED IN THIS SIGNAL, CANBERRA WILL BE EXPECTED TO DO MORE AND TO A HIGHER STANDARD BY VIRTUE OF HER FLAGSHIP ROLE 3. THE ROLE IS NOT INTENDED TO ESTABLISH ANY UNNECESSARY COMMAND AUTHORITY. THE MANAGEMENT, ROLES, CEREMONY AND AUTHORITIES OF THE CHIEF OF NAVY FLAG, COMAUSFLT FLAG AND COMWAR BROAD PENNANT ARE UNCHANGED BY THIS ROLE 4. HMAS CANBERRA WILL RETAIN THE ROLE UNLESS A DEEP MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY PRECLUDES THE SHIP PERFORMING THIS FUNCTION. IN THIS INSTANCE THE FLEET COMMANDER WILL PREPARE A BRIEF FOR CHIEF OF NAVY SEEKING A TEMPORARY TRANSFER OF THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ANOTHER SHIP 5. THE TITLE OF FLAGSHIP IS ONE THAT IS LOADED WITH HISTORICAL PRESTIGE, IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO DESIGNATE CANBERRA AS THE NAVY FLAGSHIP BT
16 Mar 2015	Response to Skynet reporting \| On the Record On Sunday 15 March and Monday March 16, 2015, a number of news outlets broadcast or published items regarding an unauthorised file-sharing network, known as Skynet, that existed at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in 2009. Skynet used the University of NSW network system, without the University’s knowledge at the time. Skynet served a functional purpose to support information sharing, but it became apparent that inappropriate material was also being passed. More.....
16 Mar 2015	CDF response to Herald Sun article \| On the Record The Herald Sun article ‘It’s not about being in the military’, published on 15 March 2015, highlights one of the many challenges we face in addressing mental health care for Australian Defence Force (ADF) members – too often the data is distorted or misrepresented. Contrary to the Herald Sun report, the ‘top brass’, me included, are very serious about confronting the ADF’s mental health issues head on and we are acutely aware of the number of serving members who have died by suicide. More.....
16 Mar 2015	Navy League of Australia (Vic Div) March newsletter......
15 Mar 2015	HMAS Anzac deploys for Gallipoli commemorations HMAS Anzac and the ship’s company of 192 departed Sydney today for a once in a life-time deployment, supporting the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli. Family and friends were on the wharf to farewell the frigate, which will spend five months visiting ports around the globe. Commanding Officer HMAS Anzac, Commander Belinda Wood said the ship’s company was proud to represent Australia on this significant trip. More.....
14 Mar 2015	Defence completes Key Resolve exercise in Korea Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have returned from the Republic of Korea after working with Republic of Korea and United States defence personnel during Exercise Key Resolve 2015. The annual two-week exercise enhances military interaction between the ADF and defence forces of other United Nations Command member nations for the defence of the Republic of Korea. More.....
13 Mar 2015	A message from the Australian Defence Force Senior Leadership A recent television documentary that focused on ADF veterans and their stories of dealing with PTSD and other mental health issues arising from their deployment has created significant public debate. This is potentially one of the most emotive topics relating to service in the ADF that is discussed in the public domain. Over the past six years, the ADF has put an enormous amount of effort into improving our understanding of, and screening for mental health conditions, particularly PTSD, as well as in preventing and treating such conditions. More.....
13 Mar 2015	Gallipoli 2015 Passes In The Mail The wait is over for Australians attending Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli this year, with attendance passes to begin arriving in the mail from today. Prime Minister the Hon. Tony Abbott MP, yesterday joined the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, and Member for Deakin Michael Sukkar in visiting ballot recipient Mr Kimberley Cornish of Blackburn North to present him with the very first double attendance pass. More.....
12 Mar 2015	Local Grants To Commemorate The Anzac Spirit The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs today announced a further $6.3 million to fund 461 projects under the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program, and additional funding towards six grants already awarded. More.....
11 Mar 2015	100 stories reflect 100 years of Anzac Australian Defence Force members have recorded personal messages that reflect what the Centenary of Anzac means to them. One hundred stories, reflecting on 100 years of Anzac, will be published throughout 2015 to highlight the significance of the Anzac Centenary to current serving members of the ADF. More.....
11 Mar 2015	Funding Helps Deakin Commemorate Anzacs Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson, along with the Federal Member forDeakin, Michael Sukkar, today announced funding of $95,255 to support three projects honouring Australia’s servicemen and women in the Deakin electorate as part of the Anzac Centenary 2014–18. More.....
09 Mar 2015	2015 Creswell Oration On 2nd March 2015, at the William Angliss TAFE Institute Restaurant in Melbourne, the Commander of the Australian Fleet RADM Stuart Meyer CSC RAN, delivered the 2015 Creswell Oration. This year's Oration was titled "Royal Australian Navy in 2015 - Old Wine in New Wine Bottles". Download the presentation.....
09 Mar 2015	DFWA - MONTHLY UPDATE #286 – January/February 2015 ‘UPDATE’ is an e-letter produced by the Defence Force Welfare Association to inform the Service and ex-Service communities of those current issues that are of most concern to them. Distribution is intended to a wide audience that includes Members of Parliament, media outlets, Senior Public Service Officers, members of DFWA, their families and supporters, and all members of the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations.
09 Mar 2015	Government targets DFRB/DFRDB superannuation pensioners in its attack on the Service Pension There was celebration when the Coalition Opposition made and election promise to fairly index DFRB/DFRDB superannuation pensions. In government they honoured that promise for those over 55years of age. But most DFRB/DFRDB superannuants, because of the meagreness of their superannuation payments, also receive a Part Service Pension. The government is targeting the Part Service Pension particularly savagely, so that any small gain through fairly indexing superannuation will, for most recipients, be more than swept away. More.....
08 Mar 2015	Marching for diversity and inclusion On 7 March, Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade included the largest Defence contingent ever seen. Leading the charge this year were the three service warrant officers: Warrant Officer of the Navy Martin Holzberger, Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army David Ashley and Warrant Officer of the Air Force Mark Pentreath. More.....
06 Mar 2015	Defence celebrates International Women’s Day 2015 Defence will host a range of events in March as part of the United Nations Women Australia’s International Women’s Day 2015 celebrations. Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said the events would align with this year’s theme, Let’s not wait another 20 years for gender equality and the UN’s HeForShe campaign, which encourages men to identify and take steps to support women and gender equality. More.....
05 Mar 2015	Tender announced for Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project Today, the Government announces the Request for Tender (RFT) for the replacement – Australian-made – Pacific Patrol Boats under the Pacific Maritime Security Program, Project SEA3036 Phase 1. This project represents a significant investment in Australian defence industry with the Australian-made patrol boats worth $594 million in addition to through life sustainment and personnel costs estimated at $1.38 billion over 30 years. More.....
04 Mar 2015	Minister for Defence – Transcript – Sky News Transcript of interview between Minister for Defence and David Speers of Sky News. Interview covers 'pay rise' 'Iraq' and 'submarines'. More.....
04 Mar 2015	$18 million Defence facilities project for Darwin An $18 million project to construct a Multi User Barge Ramp Facility in Darwin has been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Darren Chester announced today. Mr Chester said the facilities, at East Arm Port in Darwin, would provide the Royal Australian Navy with the logistic support capability for the new Landing Helicopter Dock ships and amphibious vessels. More.....
04 Mar 2015	Prime Minister and Minister for Defence – Joint Media Release – Australian Defence Force Pay The Australian Government understands that the work performed by members of the Australian Defence Force is unique and crucial to our nation and our security. In recognition of these unique circumstances, the Government has decided to increase the wage offer for ADF personnel to two per cent per annum, over the life of the agreement, with effect from the next pay day. More.....
03 Mar 2015	Chief Petty Officer Benjamin Sime, MG The Australian International Airshow 2015 pays tribute to Anzac and the heroes of military aviation. During HMAS Stuart’s 2004 deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation CATALYST, the then Leading Seaman Aircrewman Benjamin Sime was serving as the sensor operator in Stuart’s embarked Seahawk helicopter. On the night of 24 April 2004, terrorists in fishing dhows launched a series of determined attacks against Iraqi oil terminals. More.....
03 Mar 2015	Fred’s still flying high at 97 Nobody can accuse Fred House of not flying by the seat of his pants. One day his friend suggests a joy ride. The next day the 97-year-old is gazing at southern Tasmania from a tiny airplane. “It couldn’t have been better — I enjoyed every second of it,’’ said Mr House. More.....
02 Mar 2015	Commodore Geoffrey Ledger, DSC, AM The Australian International Airshow 2015 pays tribute to Anzac and the heroes of military aviation. Commodore Geoff Ledger was born in Melbourne in 1955 and joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1972. He participated in relief operations in Darwin in the wake of Cyclone Tracy and flew helicopters for the second United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt before undertaking a two-year exchange with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in the early 1980s. More.....
01 Mar 2015	Lieutenant James Buchanan, DFC The Australian International Airshow 2015 pays tribute to Anzac and the heroes of military aviation. James Collier Buchanan joined the RAN in October 1962 as an aircrew officer. He began his flight training in March 1963 and after qualifying as a pilot he was posted to HT 725 Squadron in February 1964. More.....
01 Mar 2015	World voyage on track Australia’s national Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil recently, completing an epic 55 day voyage across the Pacific Ocean and around Cape Horn. The 24 young Australians and 12 Royal Australian Navy staff crew set sail from Sydney on 22 December 2014, calling at Wellington, New Zealand, before undertaking one of the vessel’s longest ocean crossings – a 28 day passage in latitudes known as the Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties. More.....
28 Feb 2015	The RAN Fleet Air Arm - Ashore in Vietnam The Australian International Airshow 2015 pays tribute to Anzac and the heroes of military aviation. The ubiquitous Bell UH1 Iroquois helicopter is still arguably the most instantly recognisable symbol of the Vietnam War. Images of the 'helicopter war' feature prominently in books, films and documentaries; indeed, a granite etched image of an Iroquois extracting troops forms the centrepiece of Australia's national Vietnam Memorial located on Anzac Parade in Canberra. More.....
27 Feb 2015	Final entry into Sydney for city’s namesake warship HMAS Sydney (IV) entered Sydney Heads for the final time as a Royal Australian Navy ship this morning, before being welcomed alongside Garden Island by former sailors, officers and support staff. The Adelaide class guided missile frigate is scheduled to be decommissioned at the end of the year to make way for the Navy’s new fleet of Hobart class air warfare destroyers. More..... More photos in the Photo Gallery.....
27 Feb 2015	Defence participates in the 2015 Sydney Mardi Gras The three most senior enlisted members of the Australian Defence Force have, for the first time, volunteered to lead the Defence contingent at this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras parade. Warrant Officer of the Navy, Martin Holzberger; Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army, David Ashley; and Warrant Officer of the Air Force, Mark Pentreath will join more than 150 Defence personnel, including members of the Australian Defence Force Academy, Defence public servants and allies of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex community. Military members will again march in uniform. More.....

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Request for Committal of Ashes to the Sea. Download form.....

Current Repatriation Benefits for Gold Card Veterans -
As of 01 January 2018
This is a list of products that are available on a Doctor's prescription for Gold Card Repatriation Patients. Download the list.....

DVA Mobile Apps

The new Operation Life mobile application is designed to help those at risk deal with suicidal thoughts and is recommended to be used with the support of a clinician.

The High Res (High Resilience) app helps you manage stress, build resilience and optimise performance on the go.

The PTSD Coach Australia app can help you learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma.

ON TRACK with the Right Mix mobile app from the Department of Veterans Affairs helps you to keep track of the number and types of drinks you consume; the amount of money it's costing you and lets you know about the impact the alcohol has on your wellbeing and fitness levels.

Guide to the assessment of rates of veterans’ pensions
Guide to the assessment of rates of veterans’ pensions (GARP) is used to assess the extent of incapacity from war caused or defence caused injury or disease for the purposes of determining the rate of pension. Download.....

Planning ahead kit
Overview: Planning Ahead is a publication designed to help veterans and their families prepare for bereavement. There is also a checklist that can be used to record the contact details of important people, businesses and organisations that may need to be notified in case of your death. Download.....

DVA Concessions Fact Sheets
Factsheet CON01 - Concessions in NSW
Factsheet CON02 - Concessions in Vic
Factsheet CON03 - Concessions in QLD
Factsheet CON04 - Concessions in SA
Factsheet CON05 - Concessions in WA
Factsheet CON06 - Concessions in Tas
Factsheet CON07 - Concessions in NT
Factsheet CON08 - Concessions in ACT

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Check your ship's eligibility for war service.....

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