Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia)

src: anzaccentenary.vic.gov.au

The Department of Veterans' Affairs is a department of the Government of Australia, established in 1976, and charged with the responsibility of delivering government programs for war veterans, members of the Australian Defence Force, members of the Australian Federal Police, and their dependants. The Repatriation Commission's Day-to-Day manager is the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

For administration purposes, the department forms part of the Defence portfolio. The Minister for Defence acts on behalf of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs within the Cabinet.

The head of the department is the Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, currently Simon Lewis , who is responsible to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, currently the Hon. Michael McCormack . The Secretary of the Department also has the responsibility of the Repatriation Commission.

Video Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia)

Operational activities

The functions of the department are broadly classified into the following matters:

Repatriation income support, compensation and health program for veterans, members of the Defence Force, certain mariners and their dependants
Commemorations, including promotion of understanding of Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and Vietnam Veterans' Day
War graves
Defence Service Homes

Agencies

In carrying out its functions, the department administers the following agencies:

Australian War Memorial
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission
Office of Australian War Graves
Repatriation Commission
Repatriation Medical Authority
Specialist Medical Review Council
Veterans' Children Education Boards
Veterans' Review Board

Maps Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia)

Key legislation

The Department of Veterans' Affairs is responsible for administration of several key Acts:

Defence Service Homes Act, 1918 (Cth)
Military Rehabilitation and compensation Act, 2004 (Cth)
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, 1988 (Cth)
Veterans Entitlements Act, 1986 (Cth)
War Graves Act, 1980 (Cth)

Iltyem-iltyem | Sign languages in Central Australia

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Key officeholders

Department secretary

The Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs is Simon Lewis, since July 2013. In addition to his role of departmental secretary, he is also the President of the Repatriation Commission and Chair of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.

Below is a full list of the Department's Secretaries since it was established.

Other key officeholders

Other key officeholders in the department are the Deputy President of the Repatriation Commission, currently Craig Orme ; and the Repatriation Commissioner, currently Major General M. A. Kelly .