Royal Commission Interim Report recommends improving access to information

Written by the Department of Defence - 4 April 2023

The Interim Report by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, released in August 2022, called for the improvement of access to information held by DVA. Together with the Department of Defence, we have since implemented a number of initiatives that ensure veterans and families are better supported when they seek access to information.

The Information Access Unit has been established within DVA, to serve as a single point of contact and source of advice to applicants seeking information. We have also published on our website new information release policies and guidelines, and educational material on information release pathways, consent, and redactions. To view this content, head to DVA’s website: www.dva.gov.au/accessing-information.

As part of our commitment to ongoing improvement, we encourage feedback on the improved information or your experience of accessing information with these new initiatives in place. To provide feedback, you can email the Feedback Management team at feedback@dva.gov.au or call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).These initiatives were developed based on co-design workshops held last year with ADF members, veterans, families, representatives and advocates. DVA would like to thank the co-design participants, as the provision of your feedback and insights has meant that we have been able to keep the defence and veteran community at the heart of our response to the Interim Report.

To contact the Information Access Unit, call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or email information.access@dva.gov.au.