Terms of Reference

Purpose

The Australian Veteran Community (AVC) exists to give veterans, veteran families, supporting medical teams and service providers to the Department of Veterans' Affairs an independent, evidence-based voice, and to hold the veteran support system to account for the outcomes it delivers.

Scope

We track successes and systemic failures across all areas of the Veterans' Affairs Portfolio, including claims and compensation, health and allied health care, transition, and the implementation of Royal Commission recommendations.

Principles

• Independent — no formal ties to DVA or ex-service organisations.
• Evidence-based — claims are supported by data, documents and lived experience.
• Veteran-led — decisions are made by veterans and veteran family members.
• Plain language — findings are published so anyone can understand them.
• Respectful — we criticise systems and decisions, not individuals.

How we work

Every issue raised with us is logged, categorised and tracked. Where we can resolve something quietly and quickly, we will. Where we can't, we say so out loud. We de-identify individual cases before publication unless the person has agreed in writing to be named.

What we are not

AVC does not provide legal, medical or financial advice, and is not a claims advocate, crisis service or a substitute for professional care. If you need immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000 in an emergency.

Terms of use

Content on this site is provided for general information and may be reproduced with attribution to the Australian Veteran Community and a link to the original page. We take care to publish accurate material but make no warranty that it is complete or current, and we accept no liability for decisions made in reliance on it. Corrections are welcome and will be published where warranted.

Contact

Questions about these Terms of Reference can be directed to contact@australianveterancommunity.com.au or (02) 6103 0948.