More funding for free veteran advocates

The government says it has more than doubled funding to enable veterans to better access free advocacy services when lodging claims with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

Up to $58.6 million over three years is now available to ex-service organisations (ESOs) to provide free advocacy services through the improved Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Grants Program.

Minister for Veterans Affairs Matt Keogh said these changes address Recommendation 99 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Final Report, which called for the government to improve veterans’ advocacy by funding professional, paid advocates.

“The BEST Program has been redesigned to provide greater stability and future funding certainty for ESOs who employ professional advocates,” Mr Keogh said.

“Grant agreements under the BEST Program have been lengthened from one to three years, which means that successful applicants under the current round will receive funding until 2028-29.

“The process to apply has also been made easier.

“These changes are about reducing red tape and providing certainty for ESOs, and will allow them to focus on employing, retaining and training highly skilled, professional, free advocates, for the benefit of the veteran community.”

Mr Keogh said the improvements to the BEST program also responded to a recent Senate Inquiry into the veteran advocacy sector which highlighted the urgent need to increase the capacity and capability of free-to-the-veteran advocacy services.

“For more than a century, ESOs and other volunteer advocates have provided free, expert advice to assist the veteran community to access treatment, compensation and other assistance.

“With the significant increase in funding and improvements to the BEST Program, the veteran community will have better access to free advocacy services all over Australia.

“The government is committed to reform to better protect veterans from unscrupulous advocates, while not over-regulating a largely volunteer service, and seeks the views of the veteran and advocacy community to inform the preferred approach. 

“Consultation remains open on further strengthening advocacy services for veterans.”

Applications for the BEST Program 2026-27 round close on Wednesday 15 April 2026 and will not reopen until 2029.

To learn more about the BEST Program and to lodge a submission on strengthening the veteran advocacy system, visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website. 

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