Legacy has launched the most significant change in its history, expanding support to more families of veterans. For over 100 years, Legacy has supported the families of veterans who could no longer provide for their loved ones due to service-related death, injury or illness, or who have later died.
The requirement for a veteran to have completed a period of operational service now has been removed. This major eligibility change is in direct response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide findings on military life’s far-reaching impacts. Legacy will now support families of former permanent defence force members and reservists who have served on continuous full-time duty, irrespective of the nature of their service, allowing thousands more to be welcomed into Legacy’s care.
The formal announcement was made 13 February 2026 at a commemorative event at the Australian War Memorial in the presence of the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel The Hon Matt Keogh MP, Repatriation Commissioner Kahlil Fegan DSC AM and families that Legacy supports. This expansion builds on the promise made on the battlefields of World War 1, when soldiers pledged to care for each other’s families. Since then, Legacy has supported hundreds of thousands of people, from those who lost partners in war, to the children of those veterans who were injured or killed during peace time service for Australia.
“Our dedicated volunteers, often drawn from the veteran and wider community, currently support more than 28,000 people and have been nothing short of phenomenal, offering personalised mentorship and a sense of belonging that has transformed countless lives,” said Chair of Legacy Australia Dr Mark Lax. “Service has many impacts, not just through death or injury. Families carry the weight of service in ways that aren’t always visible. Broadening eligibility to services and support clearly shows we are responding to the wider spectrum of challenges they face.”
Legacy delivers exceptional care through emergency financial relief, education scholarships, advocacy to secure entitlements, social programs and lifelong support for children with disabilities. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide highlights the urgency of mental health challenges, with veterans experiencing significantly higher rates of PTSD and related conditions compared to the general population, alongside elevated mental health-related hospital admissions among ex-serving males.
“This natural evolution extends Legacy’s proven impact to even more families who need it,” said Dr Lax. “Many older partners of peacetime veterans will have the opportunity to foster a new community through local club activities such as social outings, morning teas and attending memorial events, helping combat isolation while building identity and belonging. Legacy’s services are now also available to families of current serving veterans who are in the process of transitioning out of Defence due to no longer being medically fit for service and are unable to care for their families themselves. Australian Defence Force members are crucial in spreading the word through their networks so more families realise they now qualify and can reach out for support.”
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