Vets, families encouraged to engage with Joint Transition Authority

Current and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), their families and ex-service organisations are being encouraged to engage with the Joint Transition Authority (JTA), which is holding a series of online consultation sessions in April and May. Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said it was essential to hear from the Defence and veteran community on how we can further improve the support they receive throughout their transition. “The government is committed to ensuring ADF members and their families are better prepared and supported through all stages of transition from Defence to civilian life, and this can only be achieved by listening to those with lived experiences of the process,” Chester said. “Since the Government established the JTA in October last year, ongoing engagement across Defence, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC) has provided guidance on how we can improve the transition services offered across these agencies, but now it is time to hear from those it directly affects. I encourage all those who have transitioned or supported a loved one through the process, as well as the broader defence and veteran community, to engage with the JTA and put forward ideas on how we can improve transition, but also on what is working well at the moment. Only by working together — Government, Defence, DVA and the broader ex-service community — can we create a system that ensures our ADF personnel and their families have the best possible transition.” As recommended by the Productivity Commission, the JTA was established within Defence and is working in partnership with DVA, the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC), and the broader ex-service community to improve transition service delivery by identifying opportunities, addressing gaps, integrating existing services and influencing new ones as they are developed. The JTA will continue to work closely with key stakeholders including federal, state and territory government bodies, ex-service organisations and other groups to connect and improve a range of services, from health care to employment support, on behalf of transitioning members of the ADF. Interest in taking part in the online consultation can be registered via: [email protected]. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]