What is the Veteran Employment Commitment (VEC)?
The VEC shows your organisation’s commitment to employing Australia’s veterans and creating an environment where they can perform at their best. Depending on the activities your organisation has in place, you may be recognised as a:
- Veteran Employment Supporter
- Veteran Friendly Employer
- Veteran Employer of Choice
How has the VEC changed?
The renewed VEC acknowledges organisations for their current workplace policies and practices that support veteran employment. Employers can receive guidance to implement or improve their veteran employment initiatives to support them to better recruit and retain veteran employees.
The VEC now has three levels:
• Veteran Employment Support (entry level)
• Veteran Friendly Employer (mid-level)
• Veteran Employer of Choice (highest level)
Each level outlines activities an organisation can undertake to support veteran employment across recruitment, support and retention, and leadership and public commitment. The activities an organisation has in place determines their VEC level. Organisations can apply at any time to increase their VEC level.
How does the VEC help to connect veterans to employers?
The improved VEC member search function will assist veterans search for an organisation by size, location, industry type and specific supports they offer such as employment programs, mentoring or veteran employee networks. This aims to better connect veterans to employers who support their employment opportunities.
Do previous VEC signatories need to reapply?
Yes, if your organisation joined the VEC before April 2024, we encourage you to reapply by 30 November to ensure there is no break in your recognition. After this date, the previous VEC model will close, and access to the old logo and your organisation’s profile on the website will no longer be available.
The online application form seeks:
- information about your organisation
- the veteran employment activities your organisation undertakes
- supporting documentation to demonstrate these activities.
What are the benefits of joining the renewed VEC?
As a VEC member, organisations receive:
- access to a range of guidance, resources and webinars to help your organisation implement or improve veteran employment policies and practices to better attract and retain veterans.
- a logo for use to demonstrate you are a Veteran Employment Supporter, Veteran Friendly Employer or Veteran Employer of Choice. *New logo from April 2024.
- a profile on www.veteransemployment.gov.au – where potential veteran recruits can find organisations that have joined the VEC.
- regular communication keeping you informed and connected with the Veteran Employment Program and other VEC signatories.
What are my obligations under the VEC?
We ask that you identify the activities your organisation undertakes to support veteran employment. You are able to add new activities as you implement them. If your organisation ceases any activities, you are required to advise the Veteran Employment Program.
When applying to join the VEC you are asked to accept the following declaration:
- We undertake the identified activities that demonstrate our support of recruitment and retention of veterans
- The information and supporting documentation provided in the application are true and correct at the time of submission
- We recognise that employment of partners of serving or former Australian Defence Force members is beneficial to our organisation
- We agree to the Veteran Employment Commitment Terms and Conditions.
How often do VEC members need to reapply to keep their status current?
VEC member organisations will be reviewed every 3 years as per the Veteran Employment Commitment Terms and Conditions.
How does my organisation apply for the VEC?
There are seven steps to apply.
- Review the VEC Terms and Conditions so you know what your organisation is signing
- Identify the activities your organisation currently undertakes for each VEC category
- Prepare and collate your supporting documentation
- Have a high quality jpeg of your organisation’s logo for upload
- Complete the online application form and upload your supporting documentation
- Agree to the Veteran Employment Commitment declaration
- Submit your application
Read Apply for the Veteran Employment Commitment for step by step instructions on how to apply and review the preview of the online form.
The online application form cannot be saved at any point, you must complete it in one sitting. Ensure you have all responses and supporting documentation collated before you begin your application.
Which VEC level should my organisation apply for?
The veteran employment activities your organisation demonstrates will determine your VEC level.
The VEC activities are grouped in three categories:
- Recruitment
- Support and Retention
- Leadership and Public Commitment
The activities, guidance and examples of supporting documentation are listed in the documents below:
- Click here to view – VEC for small to medium organisations (1-199 employees)
- Click here to view – VEC for large to extra-large organisations (200+ employees)
We encourage organisations to apply noting all activities they currently undertake. As you implement new veteran employment initiatives you can submit these to move through the VEC levels.
I have a small business, do I need to meet the same criteria as a larger veteran employer?
We understand that small to medium organisations may not be able to undertake the same level of activities as larger organisations. Therefore, activity requirements are grouped differently for small-medium employers (organisations with 1-199 employees) and large employers (organisations with 200+ employees).
The activity lists can be viewed in the section - Which VEC level should my organisation apply for?
Can my organisation move up VEC levels after my initial application?
Employers can apply at any time to move up VEC levels. For example, an employer can start as a Veteran Employment Supporter by undertaking one activity from any VEC level. They can then progress to Veteran Friendly Employer when they can demonstrate they undertake all activities in the Veteran Employment Supporter level, plus a minimum of one activity in the Veteran Friendly Employer level. The activity lists can be viewed in the section- Which VEC level should my organisation apply for?
What supporting documentation do I need to provide with my organisation’s VEC application?
When applying for the VEC, organisations will be asked to select which veteran employment activities they undertake and provide supporting documentation to demonstrate these activities.
The activities, guidance and examples of supporting documentation are listed in the documents below:
Click here to view – VEC for small to medium organisations (1-199 employees)
Click here to view – VEC for large to extra large organisations (200+ employees)
Please make sure you have all your documentation in order before beginning your application, as the online application form cannot be saved.
Do I only have to provide supporting documentation for the VEC level my organisation is applying for?
Supporting documentation is required for any activity you indicate your organisation undertakes.
Documentation might include policies or sections of policies, operating procedures, guides, job advertisements, templates, meeting minutes, resources or pages from your website.
Examples of supporting documentation types are included in the VEC activity guidance linked in - What supporting documentation do employers need to provide with the VEC application?
If some of your supporting information is commercial-in-confidence, please contact veteransemployment@dva.gov.au to discuss other ways you can demonstrate your activities.
Does DVA do any other checks when assessing VEC applications?
We undertake a range of due diligence checks to ensure alignment with the integrity of the commitment and Veteran Employment Program, including but not limited to a Fair Work Ombudsman compliance history search.
How does DVA manage my organisation’s submitted information?
DVA is committed to collecting, handling and storage of information according to the Privacy Act 1988 and the Archives Act 1983. DVA generally uses and discloses personal information only for the primary purpose for which it is collected. DVA takes reasonable steps to ensure the personal information it handles is protected from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access and illegal modification and disclosure. You can read more information about DVA’s privacy policy on our website.
How long will it take to assess my application for the VEC?
We will assess your application and supporting documentation to determine the VEC level for your organisation. This process can take up to 3 weeks.
Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email including your VEC level logo. We will then upload your organisation profile and logo to the VEC member organisations page on the Veteran Employment Program website.
Can I save my online application and return to it later?
No, the online application form cannot be saved at any point. You must complete it in one sitting. Ensure you have all responses and supporting documentation collated before you begin your application
You can also preview the form before starting your application to assist you to prepare responses and collate the required supporting documentation.
Prior to final submission, you will have the opportunity to preview your responses.
Can I review my responses before submitting my application?
Yes, the form provides a final preview page for review of your responses before you agree to the declaration.
Who can I contact for assistance with my application?
You can contact the Veteran Employment Program team via email to veteransemployment@dva.gov.au