Peak body for ex-service organisations – consultation and co-design outcomes
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  1. Summary of Findings
  2. Co-design outcomes for the establishment of a national peak body 

In 2024, NOUS group were commissioned to respond to the Royal Commission’s potential recommendations on the establishment of a representative body, and to provide inputs for a co-design process for a representative body within the sector.  

This work included consultation with a range of stakeholders through forums, workshops and individual interviews. A survey was also released which was completed by 889 individuals, including 559 veterans, 171 family members and 159 responses from people who identified as both veterans and family members. A desktop analysis was also undertaken which included analyses of comparable national bodies and international models. The outcomes of this work informed the design of options for a national peak body. 

The Veteran and Family Organisations Representative Body - options paper was used to progress the next phase in co-designing a national peak body. 

Discovery work for the national peak body consultations included veterans, serving Australian Defence Force members, ex-service organisations, organisations that support the sector, service providers and families. 

The Peak Body 2025 Stakeholder insights report (289 KB) created a framework for co-design workshops to continue the design options for a national peak body. 

We: 

  • held 32 online sessions which included individual and group sessions
  • facilitated 4 co-design workshops (3 online and 1 in-person) with 38 participants who represented the veteran community
  • received 17 submissions through an online portal. 
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Summary of Findings

Veterans and families have told us what they need The ESOs have told us what they need DVA and told us what they need
  • A higher quality of service delivery through member organisations
  • Easier systems to understand what organisations exist, and where they can benefit from their membership
  • Ways to connect with other veterans and families through social forums and other avenues 

  
  • A united voice to DVA and government
  • Balanced representation in consultative activities
  • More effective collaboration between ESOs, especially those delivering similar services to their members
  • Guidance and standardisation of service expectations and delivery
  • Better connectivity to veterans, particularly those not affiliated with an ESO 
  • Streamlined way to communicate with the sector
  • Stronger collaborations between DVA and the sector
  • A way to improve service standards across the ESO sector
  • A more productive relationship between DVA and the sector 
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Co-design outcomes for the establishment of a national peak body 

Vision 

There was broad alignment the peak body’s vision should be: 

  • trusted and independent
  • a collective voice for the ESO sector and unify the sector around a common purpose
  • representative of the diversity in ESOs and the veteran and family community
  • outcomes focused for the veteran and family community. 

Purpose 

There was agreement on that the core purpose of the peak body should be: 

  • advocate with a collective voice to government
  • set service standards and drive accountability
  • support collaboration and uplift sector capability
  • identity and address existing and future challenges
  • enhance coordination among ESOs to reduce service barriers
  • evaluate the effectiveness of existing initiatives
  • simplify pathways for veterans and families to find the right support. 

Functions 

There was a shared vision that the peak body would: 

  • advocate on policy
  • set service standards to drive sector quality and reform
  • facilitate communication between ESOs and government
  • build trust and collaboration within the sector
  • support accreditation or evaluations of ESOs, services or programs (mixed views)
  • mobilise funding to meet service gaps and support a demonstration model to inform future policy. 
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