Independent oversight for improving defence and veteran suicide prevention

The establishment of the Defence and Veterans’ Services Commission (DVSC) is underway. This work is being led by the Interim Head of the DVSC, Mr Michael Manthorpe PSM, supported by a team in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The DVSC is being created in response to Recommendation 122 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. It will provide independent oversight and evidence-based advice to the Australian Government on reforms to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving ADF members.

Once established, the DVSC will operate independently of other government agencies, such as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Department of Defence. The DVSC will begin operations on 29 September 2025.

The establishment of the DVSC is being informed by the findings of the Royal Commission, the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025, the review of the legislation by the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, and the views of the defence and veteran community.

The DVSC is separate from the other recommended new agency focusing on veteran wellbeing within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (Recommendation 87), the Ex-Service Organisations Peak Body (Recommendation 89), and the Royal Commission Implementation Taskforce established within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Taskforce is advising Government on the sequencing and implementation of the response to the Royal Commission, including Recommendations 87 and 89.

The interim DVSC encourages additional views from the defence and veteran community to support establishing the commission.

For more information and how to get in touch, visit: Defence and Veterans’ Services Commission | Department Prime Minister and Cabinet.