The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide concluded with the delivery of its Final Report on 9 September 2024. All enquiries should now be directed to the Attorney-General's Department. See the contact page for more information.

For information about Defence and veteran support services, please see our crisis support information.

Counselling & support

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Crisis support

Counselling and support

There is support and counselling available to those who engage with the Royal Commission. Our counselling team has qualified counsellors, social workers and psychologists with experience in trauma, mental health and suicide prevention.

People engaging with the Royal Commission can access our counselling team for support to:

  • Help you decide if you wish to contribute to the Royal Commission
  • Work with you and your existing support networks
  • Connect or refer you to new support networks
  • Participate in a private session
  • Provide care throughout the public hearings or private sessions process
  • Participate as a witness in a public hearing

You can contact the Royal Commission and access support by calling 1800 329 095 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm AEST Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays) or emailing DVSRC.enquiries@royalcommission.gov.au.

More information about contacting the Royal Commission is available on the Contact us page.

It is essential to the work of the Royal Commission that the people who contribute are supported, feel safe and are heard. We use a trauma informed and person-centred approach with everything we do.

To learn more about the support we offer see our Support for telling your story factsheet.

To learn more about our trauma informed approach see our Trauma Informed Practice.

National Legal Advice Service

A legal service has been established for people who wish to engage with the Royal Commission.

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

DAVLS is funded by the Australian Government through National Legal Aid. It is an independent service and separate from the Royal Commission, the Department of Defence, and the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

The DAVLS service is trauma informed, culturally safe and accessible. DAVLS can help you understand your legal rights and options while engaging with the Royal Commission. It can also provide referrals to counselling and other social support.

The DAVLS service will run for the duration of the Royal Commission.

To contact the Defence and Veterans Legal Service:

Legal Financial Assistance Scheme

The Australian Government will provide legal financial assistance to individuals and entities to help meet the costs of legal representation and disbursements associated with engaging with the Royal Commission.

The legal financial assistance scheme is administered by the Attorney-General's Department, independently of the Royal Commission.

For more information, see the Attorney-General's Department or contact Legal Financial Assistance Casework:

  • 02 6141 4770 or 1800 117 995 (between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday)
  • finass@ag.gov.au