Australian Defence Force Veterans – Overseas Household Services (ADFV-OHS) was established to assist Australian veterans residing overseas to access the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) services and support to which they are entitled.
As our organisation has grown, so too has our understanding of the practical opportunities and challenges experienced by veterans living outside Australia. Through our day-to-day work with veterans, their families, healthcare providers, service organisations and government agencies across multiple countries, we have developed valuable operational knowledge of how Australian veterans' support systems function in real-world overseas environments.
This experience places ADFV-OHS in a unique position to contribute constructively to discussions about the future development of support for Australian veterans residing overseas.
While our primary role remains assisting veterans to access existing services and entitlements, we also believe we are well placed to share practical observations and evidence that may assist future policy development.
Our approach is collaborative, evidence-based and focused on improving outcomes for veterans while recognising the importance of accountability, sustainability and responsible stewardship of public resources.
ADFV-OHS is committed to making a positive contribution to policy discussions by:
We believe good policy should be informed by operational experience, evidence and a clear understanding of how government programs are implemented in practice.
Every policy submission or discussion paper developed by ADFV-OHS is guided by several core principles.
The well-being, dignity and quality of life of Australian veterans and their families remain at the centre of every recommendation.
Our observations are informed by practical experience supporting veterans across multiple countries, together with consultation with healthcare providers, service organisations and veterans themselves.
We believe the best outcomes are achieved by working constructively with government and stakeholders to identify practical solutions rather than simply highlighting problems.
We recognise that public resources must be managed responsibly. Our policy work seeks to improve outcomes for veterans while also considering value for money, sustainability and efficient service delivery.
Recommendations should be achievable, capable of implementation and designed to complement existing legislative and policy frameworks wherever possible.
ADFV-OHS is currently undertaking research and developing policy discussions in several areas affecting Australian veterans residing overseas, including:
As this work progresses, discussion papers and policy submissions will be made available through this section of our website.
ADFV-OHS welcomes opportunities to engage with government, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, parliamentarians, Ex-Service Organisations, healthcare providers, researchers and members of the veteran community.
Our objective is not to advocate for special treatment or expanded entitlements. Rather, we seek to contribute practical operational experience and evidence that may assist in delivering equivalent outcomes for Australian veterans residing overseas, while recognising the importance of responsible and sustainable public policy.
We believe Australia's overseas veteran community represents a valuable source of lived experience that can help inform future policy, improve service delivery and strengthen support for veterans living beyond Australia's borders.
The number of Australian veterans choosing to live overseas continues to grow. As this community evolves, so too will the opportunities and challenges associated with delivering appropriate support.
ADFV-OHS is committed to supporting veterans not only through direct service delivery, but also by contributing to informed discussion about the future of overseas veteran support.
By working collaboratively and sharing practical operational experience, we hope to assist in developing policies that are fair, sustainable, financially responsible and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for Australian veterans and their families, wherever they choose to live.
ADFV-OHS Policy Discussion Papers examine emerging issues affecting Australian veterans residing overseas. They are intended to contribute practical operational insight to informed policy discussion.
Policy Discussion Paper No. 001
This discussion paper examines healthcare access for Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card holders residing overseas.
Drawing upon ADFV-OHS's operational experience supporting veterans living overseas, the paper considers whether current policy settings continue to provide healthcare outcomes broadly equivalent to those available to Gold Card holders residing in Australia.
The paper is intended to contribute constructively to informed policy discussion and has been provided to the Australian Government and the Department of Veterans' Affairs for consideration.
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