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Every story informs our inquiry

You can share your story with the Royal Commission by making a submission. Your story does not need to relate directly to suicide to make a submission – we want to hear about all aspects of service life. Submissions close 13 October 2023.

Every story informs our inquiry

You can share your story with the Royal Commission by making a submission. Your story does not need to relate directly to suicide to make a submission – we want to hear about all aspects of service life. Submissions close 13 October 2023.

Video Transcript – How to make a submission to the Royal Commission

Has your mental health been impacted by military service?

Do you have an experience to share about military life, mental ill health, suicide or the nature of service?

Then you can make a submission to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Anyone can make a submission. Whether it is about you, someone else or on behalf of an organisation.

And you can remain anonymous if you wish.

Making a submission is easy. You can do it via our website, post or you can make a video or audio recording.

To make your submission via our online form – go to our website.

You can choose to include your name and contact details if you would like. This helps us if we would like to get in contact with you for further information or to offer you support.

Submissions need to relate to at least one of our terms of reference. Tick the boxes that are relevant to your experience – You can select any and all of the terms of reference that you think apply to you.

Read the plain English terms of reference.

Then tell us in your own words what your story is and changes you would like the Royal Commission to consider.

You will also have the opportunity to upload 3 supporting files.

If you would like to complete your submission on a paper form – you can download the form from our website or you can contact us and we will post it to you.

If you would like to make a video or voice recording of your submission, then call or email us once you are ready and we will arrange for you to send us your files.

Your submission can be as brief or as detailed as you wish. You can make changes to your submission, or make more than one submission if you wish. And help is available if you need it.

Submissions close on Friday 13 October 2023

And for more information, head to our website or call 1800 329 095

Royal Commission Research Program

Research is an important part of the Royal Commission’s activities. Our research program aims to inform our inquiry by providing critical knowledge and information about serving and ex-serving Defence members who have died by suicide or have lived experience of suicidal behaviour. The findings of the research program will inform our final report and recommendations.

Find out more

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Make a submission

Find out how to make a submission to the Royal Commission

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Interim Report and response

The Royal Commission's Interim Report was delivered to the Governor-General on 11 August 2022

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Livestreams

Watch videos of previous public hearings

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Resources

We’ve created a number of resources to help you learn more about the Royal Commission

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Hearings

Keep up-to-date with the Royal Commission’s upcoming public hearings

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Published submissions

Read the stories, experiences and recommendations shared with the Royal Commission

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Announcement

On 8 July 2021, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), issued Letters Patent, which established the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Letters patent set out the Royal Commission’s terms of reference, which include inquiring into the systemic issues and risk factors relevant to suicide and suicide behaviours of serving and ex-serving Defence members.

Nick Kaldas APM, the Hon James Douglas KC, and Dr Peggy Brown AO have been appointed as Royal Commissioners. They delivered an interim report on 11 August 2022 and are required to produce a final report by 17 June 2024.

Find out more.