Stakeholder Resource Toolkit
Please note: Submissions to the Royal Commission closed on 13 October 2023. Some of the information in the resources on this page relating to submissions may no longer be relevant.
The Commissioners and Royal Commission staff would like to thank everyone who has made a submission. Your stories are valuable and have helped inform our inquiry.
Help us spread the message
It’s important we spread the word far and wide about the Royal Commission, its role and how people – particularly serving and ex-serving ADF members and others with lived experience – can share their story, as we seek to find long-lasting solutions to the cultural and systemic issues which contribute to suicide and suicidality in the Defence and veteran communities. And we would appreciate your help!
The Royal Commission already undertakes meaningful outreach and engagement activities to hear from individuals and groups on key issues and update them on our inquiries.
On this page, you will find information, tools and resources to help you:
- update your family, friends, communities and networks about the Royal Commission and its work,
- create and share social media posts,
- launch a call to action.
Key dates
- We began on 8 July 2021
- Interim Report handed to the Governor General on 11 August 2022
- Private session applications closed 28 April 2023
- Submissions closed on 13 October 2023
- Final Report due by 9 September 2024
These resources have been created for public use – please use and share them.
Our Purpose and general awareness
This Royal Commission is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the tragedy of suicide and suicidality in the Defence and veteran community.
We aim to bring about long-lasting cultural and structural change to better support serving and ex-serving members and their families; and build a stronger, more resilient and capable ADF for Australia’s future defence needs.
Resources
- Infographic – About the Royal Commission
- Factsheet – About the Royal Commission
- Easy Read – About the Royal Commission
- Factsheet – Trauma Informed Practice
- Social media post - Crisis lines
Submissions
The Royal Commission wants to hear from as many people as possible – serving, ex-serving, families, friends, colleagues, service and support organisations – on a range of topics, including: recruitment, training and deployment; leadership and culture, including incidents of abuse, bullying and harassment; transfer, separation and transition to civilian life; medical processes; and family support. Submissions close on 13 October 2023.
Resources
- Video – How to make a submission
- Infographic – Making a submission
- Factsheet – Support for telling your story
- Infographic – Sharing someone else’s story
- Factsheet – After your submission
- Poster – We want to hear from you
Protections
There are strong protections in place for serving and ex-serving members and departmental staff with information related to our terms of reference. Counselling and other support services are also available if you find it difficult or distressing to share your story with us.
Resources
- Video – Protections Available
- Factsheet - Protections are available
Terms of reference
Our terms of reference outline the topic areas our inquiry is looking at. They are very broad and include most aspects of Defence life.
Resources
- Video – What are the terms of reference?
- Infographic – Terms of Reference
- Plain English – Terms of reference
First Nations
The Royal Commission wants to hear about the experiences of serving and ex-serving First Nations peoples, their families and communities.
Resources
- Web page – First Nations Stakeholder Resource Toolkit
Hearings
The Royal Commission continues to hold public hearings around the country to gather evidence as part of its inquiries. Hearings have been held in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Townsville, Hobart, Darwin and Wagga Wagga; and further sittings are scheduled in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne in 2023.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe proceedings.
Promoting upcoming public hearing blocks is a great way to raise awareness about the Royal Commission. Information on upcoming hearings and how to register to attend as an observer is available on our website.
Resources
- Webpage – Hearings
- Infographic – Hearing room
- Infographic – Maintaining wellbeing
Communications resources
We have prepared a range of resources to help you share up-to-date information about the Royal Commission with your communities and networks. We encourage you to use these resources in your personal as well as your organisation’s communications activities.
- Sample article – to put in your newsletter or website
- Social media – use our sample posts on your accounts or follow us and share our posts
- Downloadable graphics – to illustrate your newsletter, web or social media posts
- Key messages – to help you talk about the Royal Commission with your networks.
Learn more about our approach to communicating and engaging with the community in our Community Engagement Statement.
If you have questions about this toolkit or any of the resources, please contact our Engagement team via email at:
DVSRC.communityengagement@royalcommission.gov.au or phone 1800 329 095.