ADF partners are talented, adaptable and resilient. They can be an asset for any organisation, especially in roles that require planning, logistics or out-of-the-box thinking.
The Department of Defence recognises that partners of serving ADF members face employment challenges when their family is relocated (on posting or transition) or if the member transitions for medical reasons.
The Partner Employment Assistance Program provides funding for eligible ADF partners for initiatives aimed at improving employability. This may include the costs of professional employment services and reimbursement for professional re-registration expenses incurred due to relocation. Funding is available up to a cap.
Visit the DMFS website to access this program.
Some of the additional support for Partners and Families
National
Legacy provides services, education programs and financial assistance to ADF families.
King's Trust Australia supports Defence members and ADF families through its Enterprise Programme to start and grow small businesses.
A number of programs provide free career support services for partners and children of current and former Defence members. These can help with workshopping resumes, writing cover letters, interview coaching and more.
RSL Veterans’ Employment Program (RSL Australia)
RSL Queensland Employment Program
Australian Catholic University provides a dedicated entry scheme and support programs for partners and children of current and previous serving ADF across all ACU campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Ballarat and Townsville. View the student veteran services webpage for details.
State and Territory based
New South Wales
The New South Wales Government’s Veterans page on its Skills NSW Initiatives website includes a search engine for veterans and partners to find Skills NSW provider-run and fee-free short courses.
TAFE NSW offers customised careers advice, skills assessment, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning (RPL) and training gap analysis to help identify the skills and knowledge acquired for veterans and their spouse/partner via the Ranks to Recognition program.
Partners and dependents of veterans are eligible to have adjustment factors added to their ATAR to calculate their selection rank at the University of Wollongong through the Veteran Scholar Scheme.
Queensland
The Oasis Townsville has a variety of support services and resources to assist veterans and partners in finding meaningful work. The Oasis Townsville can support you to begin your own business, help you access programs or help you find volunteering opportunities.
The Queensland Government’s Queensland Veterans’ Portal hosts resources and access to a variety of support for veterans and families. View the Employment and Training webpage for employment, education and volunteering support.
RSL Queensland has a Partner Employment Program. The team offers career counselling, interview coaching, employer connections, help with identifying transferrable skills and support in writing applications. RSL Queensland also offers Partner Scholarships that can go towards the cost of higher education course and administration fees and textbooks.
South Australia
The Flinders University Australian Student Veterans Association (ASVA) Student Association brings veterans and their family members together to facilitate the higher education experience.
The University of South Australia’s Veterans’ Engagement and Education Program helps veterans and immediate family members to balance their study with work and family commitments and responds to some of the unique challenges that may arise as a result of ADF service.
Victoria
Visit the Jobs Victoria website to access its online jobs hub for veterans and partners. The website includes information about job opportunities, grants, prizes, educational resources and other support.
The Victorian Veterans Council hosts employment and transition resources and support for veterans and families on its Employment webpage.
Western Australia
The Veterans’ Employment Support program through RSL Western Australia in partnership with Working Spirit offers personalised, free employment support to ADF and veteran partners, as well as their working-age children. The program provides career advice, help with CVs and constructing cover letters, skill identification, access to training programs and connections with employers.