Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia)

The Department of Veterans' Affairs is a department of the Government of Australia, established in 1976, and charged with the responsibility of delivering government programs for war veterans, members of the Australian Defence Force, members of the Australian Federal Police, and their dependants.

Department of Veterans' Affairs
Department overview
Formed5 October 1976 (1976-10-05)
Preceding department
JurisdictionAustralian Government
Employees1,851 (at June 2022)[1]
Minister responsible
Department executive
Child agencies
Websitedva.gov.au

The current Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs is Alison Frame, who succeeded Elizabeth Cosson as secretary on 23 January 2023.[2]

For administration purposes, the department forms part of the Defence portfolio.[3] The Minister for Defence acts on behalf of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs within the Cabinet.

The head of the department is the Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, currently Alison Frame, who is responsible to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Minister for Defence Personnel, and the Assistant Minister for Veterans' Affairs. The Secretary of the Department also has the responsibility of the Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.

Operational activities

The purpose of the department is to support the wellbeing of those who serve or have served in the defence of Australia, and their families.[4]

The department deals with the following matters:

  • Repatriation income support, compensation and health programmes for veterans, members of the Defence Force, certain mariners and their dependants.
  • Delivering meaningful commemorations, including promotion of understanding of Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and Vietnam Veterans' Day.
  • Maintaining or providing war graves and memorials.
  • Defence Service Homes.

Agencies

In carrying out its functions, the department administers the following agencies:[5][6][7][8]

Key legislation

The Department of Veterans' Affairs is responsible for administration of several key Acts:[9]

Key officeholders

Department secretary

The Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs is Alison Frame, since 23 January 2023. In addition to her role of departmental secretary, she is also the President of the Repatriation Commission and Chair of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.[10]

Below is a full list of the Department's Secretaries since it was established.

Order Official Official title Date appointment
commenced		 Date appointment
ceased		 Term in office Notes
1Sir Richard KingslandSecretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs5 October 1976 (1976-10-05)19814–5 yearsserved as Secretary to the Repatriation Department since 1970
2Derek Volker198114 November 1986 (1986-11-14)4–5 years
3Noel Tanzer18 December 1986 (1986-12-18)1 March 1989 (1989-03-01)2 years, 73 days
4Lionel Woodward1 March 1989 (1989-03-01)26 April 1994 (1994-04-26)5 years, 56 days
5Allan Hawke199419961–2 years
6Neil Johnston11 March 1996 (1996-03-11)30 September 2004 (2004-09-30)8 years, 203 days
7Mark Sullivan26 October 2004 (2004-10-26)20083–4 years
8Ian Campbell22 September 2008 (2008-09-22)5 July 2013 (2013-07-05)4 years, 286 days
9Simon LewisJuly 201318 May 201810 years, 116 daysacting between May and July 2013
10Elizabeth Cosson18 May 2018 (2018-05-18)23 January 2023 (2023-01-23)4 years, 250 days
11Alison Frame23 January 2023 (2023-01-23)incumbent

Other key officeholders

Other key officeholders in the department are the Deputy President of the Repatriation Commission, currently Kate Pope PSM; the Repatriation Commissioner, currently Don Spinks AM; and the Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner, currently Gwen Cherne[11]

See also

References
  1. Department of Veterans' Affairs (28 October 2022), Department of Veterans' Affairs Annual Report 2021-22, Department of Finance
  2. "The Secretary". Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Commonwealth of Australia. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023. Alison Frame commenced as Secretary of the Department of Veteran's Affairs in January 2023..
  3. "Administrative Arrangements Order - 23 June 2022". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Commonwealth of Australia. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  4. "DVA Corporate Plans". Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Commonwealth of Australia. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  5. "CA 2107: Department of Veterans' Affairs, Central Office", National Archives of Australia, retrieved 9 February 2021
  6. CA 616: Australian War Memorial, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 23 September 2013
  7. CA 4456: Office of Australian War Graves, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 23 September 2013
  8. CA 225: Repatriation Commission [II], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 23 September 2013
  9. "Legislation". Department of Veterans' Affairs. Commonwealth of Australia. 13 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  10. "Ms. Alison Frame". Directory. Government of Australia. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  11. "The Repatriation Commission". Department of Veterans' Affairs. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
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