Veterans and Families Expo

The ACT TPI Association is dedicated to supporting EDA & TPI DVA-classified veterans and their families, offering assistance and advocacy on veteran and local matters, particularly during challenging times.

Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation runs free Activity Days and Camps for young people aged 8-18 from serving or veteran families, with the goal of fostering resilience and mental health through peer-based, activity-focused programs. Kookaburra Kids provides evidence-based, age-appropriate prevention and early intervention mental health services. Their mission is to empower young people to thrive beyond the impacts of family mental illness.

We have been providing support and welfare services to veterans, war widows, serving personnel and their dependents since 1953.

The RSL Veterans’ Employment Program is a free program that assists veterans, their immediate family members and partners to find rewarding work. It doesn’t matter how long ago you served, what stage you are at in your work journey or how old you are.

Bosom Buddies ACT is a local micro-charity that has been supporting individuals in the ACT and surrounding NSW region diagnosed with breast cancer for 30 years. They promote breast awareness and rely solely on donations from the community. Bosom Buddies ACT provides one-on-one peer support and support groups for women facing breast cancer, as well as community informational sessions on being breast aware. They also provide buddy bags filled with helpful items for post-surgery care.

Disaster Relief Australia unites the skills and experiences of veterans, emergency responders, and civilians to provide disaster relief services to communities affected by natural disasters. Their stall aims to attract new members, especially current or ex-serving military personnel.

CBRE provides a wide range of services including facilities and project management, portfolio management, sales and leasing, valuation and advisory services and a range of technical and trade services. As a global organisation, CBRE employs more than 105,000 people across 100+ countries. More than 51,000 of those people are involved in delivering facilities management and project services. CBRE seeks veterans and family members interested in these fields, particularly for contracting to the government.

The Australian Military Wives Choir (AMWChoir) includes women and girls with a connection to a current or recently serving ADF member. It fosters social connections and choral skills - all underpinned by the natural joy that comes from singing together. The AMWChoir has over 150 singers in 13 locations all around Australia – including Canberra. It also has an Online Choir, which is available to all members living remotely.

The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia (PVA) is a community-focused organisation dedicated to supporting the partners and families of veterans. The PVA advocates for recognition and improved government benefits for these individuals. It serves as a vital network for partners, carers, and relatives of ADF members, offering support, resources, and advocacy to enhance their quality of life.

The Personnel Group in ACT provides services to the community in employment and allied health. Its employment programs are Disability Employment Services, NDIS Pathway to Work and NDIS Employment Support. The Allied Health have availability in psychology, relationship counselling, and counsellor-led Minecraft for ages 5 - 13 years.

The Office for Seniors and Veterans provides advice to the Minister for Veterans and Seniors in the ACT on issues important to the ACT's communities of veterans and their families. The Office will be joined by the Ministerial Advisory Council for Veterans and their Families (MACVF).

Australian Military Bank is a current DHOAS provider and located on most military bases. It also has RSL Money products to suit Veterans and sub-branches and their members. It will be promoting RSL Money products as well as its AMB products.

Defence Bank, a member-owned bank, offers a range of financial products and services to the Australian Defence community, with an emphasis on competitive banking products, DHOAS home loans, and an award-winning banking app. Unlike many other financial institutions, Defence Bank doesn’t exist to make profits for shareholders, rather focuses on customers’ financial needs. It was winner of WeMoney Defence Services Bank of the Year 2022 & 2023.

Australian War Widows’ "Our Space" program is a social connection program offered to all veterans and their family members. Our Space offers peer to peer support and connection face to face in the ACT and Sydney as well as online.

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) is committed to supporting current/ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families to access and succeed in higher education. Through tailor made programs offered over the student lifecycle, ACU has established a holistic support program for veterans in higher education.

Relationships Australia Canberra & Region, along with the ACT Gambling Support Service, supports healthy relationships through counselling, mediation, and specialised support services. This includes domestic and family violence support and support for people experiencing harm as a result of gambling.

Compass Group is one of the largest contract catering and facilities management businesses in Australia. Its 13,000 team members nourish the bodies, minds and souls of thousands of people every day across 700+ sites. It’s proud to be a purpose driven organisation, with a sense of responsibility to do good.

Council on the Ageing ACT (COTA ACT) is a local organisation working to improve the lives of older people in the Canberra community. It works with older people, their families and friends, community organisations, businesses and government to identify gaps and implement services and programs to encourage older people to participate in the community and contribute to their fullest.

The Veterans Support Centre in Page/Belconnen offers support to veterans, including advocacy for DVA claims and access to woodworking and metalworking workshops. The centre fosters community through weekly Tuesday BBQs and organises family fun days and social events for veterans and their families.

Open Arms is an innovative, client-focused organisation providing multidisciplinary care, including care coordination, peer support, group treatment and mental health training to current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel, their partners, and children. It’s focused on meeting client needs through a combination of proven clinical practices and new and emerging evidence-based approaches.

Vital Home Health Services provides eligible veterans and/or their widows with support services, nursing and care to enable them to remain at home when possible and necessary. It aims to provide home and disability services that are tailored to the individual’s needs and desires. Its services allow the Veteran and their families to be in control of their care and services.

Almost 50 years ago, the Australian War Memorial began a tradition of offering tours that share stories of Australians and their experiences of war and conflict. This is achieved through volunteers providing a range of tours 364 days a year. The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. Its purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war or on operational service and those who have served our nation in times of conflict. Currently, nearly 100 voluntary guides are actively contributing to our purpose, however, the coming years will see new world-class galleries start to open as the Memorial’s Development Project nears completion. This will see a need for a greater number of guides to help share these new stories. Voluntary guides vary in ages and backgrounds, and all have an enjoyment interacting with visitors and sharing the stories of our nation.

SME Gateway helped its 400+ members win almost $100m in contracts last financial year, mostly for professional roles supporting Australian Defence. This Canberra-based business has supported small and medium sized business members this way for 20 years. SME Gateway makes it easy for former Service personnel to begin and grow their own business doing what they enjoy within a Defence context.

Serco has a strong and proud history providing services to the Australian Defence Force. Many Serco employees have previously served with or been employed by the ADF or the armed forces of an allied nation. Serco AsPac is committed to forming strong connections both internally and externally with Veterans, Reservists and their families. SercoVets Care2Connect is a program created and developed for Serco staff, alumni and for people seeking to join Serco to help the company deliver essential services that make a difference to people’s everyday lives. As part of our SercoVets program you can access a dedicated suite of services tailored to Veterans, Reservists and Defence Family Members.

Frontline Yoga provides free, trauma-aware yoga classes to frontline personnel, including current, ex-serving, and retired military, focusing on resilience and mental health. Frontline Yoga aims to assist in maintaining resilience, strength, and connection. All classes are suitable for beginners, taught with clear instructions, and are particularly suitable for people that may be experiencing chronic stress, depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress.

The Department of Veterans' Affairs supports those who serve or have served in defence of our nation, and their families.

The Department of Parliamentary Services’ purpose is to support the work of the Australian Parliament by providing effective, high-quality, and sustainable services to parliamentarians and building occupants. The Department of Parliamentary Services will attend the Expo to highlight the employment opportunities available at the Australia Parliament House within the Parliamentary Security Service team.