Defence and Veteran Suicide

What is a Royal Commission?

A Royal Commission is a special type of investigation into a particular issue. It is independent from the Government and has certain features, including:

• a Commissioner or a number of Commissioners appointed to run the investigation
• special terms of reference that set out what the investigation covers
• a set period of time for the investigations, usually this can be extended
• public invitations to make written statements or give evidence in person about the issues
• public hearings
• broad powers requiring witnesses to attend hearings or to legally provide relevant documents
• releasing the findings of the investigation in a report, alongside recommendations for improvements.

At a federal level, a Royal Commission has powers under the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth). Different laws apply at a state level. In NSW, a Royal Commission has powers under the Royal Commissions Act 1923 (NSW).

Who are the Royal Commissioners?

Mr Nick Kaldas APM has been appointed as Chair of the Royal Commission.

Mr Kaldas is supported by two other Royal Commissioners:

• The Honourable James Douglas QC
• Dr Peggy Brown AO.

For more information, see About the Commission on the Royal Commission in Defence and Veteran Suicide website.

What is the Royal Commission investigating?

The Royal Commission will investigate:

• systemic issues and any common themes among defence and veteran deaths by suicide, or defence members and veterans who have other lived experience of suicide behaviour or risk factors
• the contributing risk factors relevant to defence and veteran death by suicide, including the possible contribution of pre-service, service (including training and deployments), transition, separation and post-service issues
• the impact of culture within the ADF, the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans' Affairs on defence members' and veterans' physical and mental wellbeing
• the role of non-government organisations, including ex-service organisations, in providing relevant services and support for defence members, veterans, their families and others
• protective and rehabilitative factors for defence members and veterans who have lived experience of suicide behaviour or risk factors
• any systemic issues in the current availability and effectiveness of support services for, and in the engagement with, families and others:
  • affected by a defence and veteran death by suicide, or
  • who have supported a defence member or veteran with lived experience of suicide behaviour or risk factors
• any systemic issues in the nature of defence members' and veterans' engagement with the Department of Defence, the Department of Veterans' Affairs or other Commonwealth, State or Territory government entities
• the legislative and policy frameworks, administered by the Department of Defence, the Department of Veterans' Affairs and other Commonwealth, State or Territory government entities, relating to the support services, claims and entitlements.

For more information, see Terms of reference on the Royal Commission in Defence and Veteran Suicide website.

How can I share my story with the Royal Commission?

You can share your story at a public hearing.

For more information, see Hearings on the Royal Commission in Defence and Veteran Suicide website.

Can I make a submission?

Submissions closed on 13 October 2023. Unfortunately, you can no longer make a submission.

Is the information I share with the commission private and confidential?

Information given in private sessions is private and confidential. As well as this, any information provided in confidential written statements or information shared with Royal Commission staff during interviews will remain confidential and your identity will not be disclosed. 

If you are worried about protecting your privacy, you can discuss this further with the Royal Commission staff.

Requests for private sessions closed on 28 April 2023. The Royal Commission will continue to hold private sessions throughout 2023 and into 2024.

For more information, see Private sessions on the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide website.

Can I take part in the hearings?

The Solicitors and Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission will ask people to be witnesses at a public hearing. You may be asked to be a witness if you have made a submission or had a private session.

If you are a witness, you may be asked to give a witness statement that sets out the evidence you will give to the Royal Commission. When you attend the hearing, you may be asked questions about your evidence by Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission and/or the Commissioners.

For more information, see the factsheet Have you been called to be a witness at a public hearing? on the Defence and Veterans Legal Service website.

Where can I get legal advice about giving evidence at the Royal Commission?

The Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS) is a free, national service that provides independent information and legal advice to Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans, and their families, carers and supporters.

DAVLS can help people to understand their legal rights and options while engaging with the Royal Commission, as well as referrals to counselling and other support services.

For more information, see the Defence and Veterans Legal Service website.

Do I need to get legal advice before giving evidence at the Royal Commission?

A lawyer can give you information and advice about the best way to share your story with the Royal Commission.

You may want to get legal advice if:

• you want to name an organisation or person in your story
• there are restrictions on sharing your story, for example, because of national security concerns or due to a non-disclosure agreement
• you are worried about sharing your story because it may impact your, or someone else’s, safety, employment, access to services or rights
• you want your submission, or parts of it, to be kept confidential.

For more information, see Get legal support and the factsheet Do you want to name a person or organisation? on the Defence and Veterans Legal Service website.

What support is available for people engaging with the Royal Commission?

The Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS) can provide referrals to counselling and other support services, as well as confidential legal advice.

For more information, including information about who to contact in a crisis, see Support services on the Defence and Veterans Legal Service website.