Veterans

Veterans of the Australian Defence Force are an important group of people for health and welfare monitoring. The unique nature of military service means many veterans experience health and welfare challenges above those of the Australian population. This report presents an overview of what is known about the health and welfare of Australian veterans, identifies key data gaps and looks at what could be done to improve the evidence base. 

In the latest 3-year period analysed (2016-2018) the age-adjusted rate of suicide in serving males was 37% lower than in Australian males. Among reserve males it was 47% lower than in Australian males. Between 2007 and 2018 the rate of suicide in ex-serving males who discharged on medical grounds was higher than in Australian males, while among those who discharged voluntarily it was similar.