iscover
The Families of Veterans Guild has released the 2025 Veteran Families Survey, finding a multitude of effects that ADF service has on families’ health and wellbeing.
New research from the Families of Veterans Guild has highlighted the effects of Australian Defence Force service on the family of veterans, revealing the prominence of financial stress, poor access to healthcare and “profound” impacts on mental health.
The 2025 Veteran Families Survey found that 52 per cent of veteran families had reported having mental health challenges over the past year and were two times more likely to experience challenges such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The impacts of service extend beyond the individual in uniform and deeply affect the whole family. They can become the primary support system, navigating complex mental health needs and behavioural changes while managing their own health and wellbeing,” said Associate Professor Sean Cowlishaw, one Australia’ leading researchers in veteran mental health.
The survey further found that 45 per cent of veteran families had difficulty accessing healthcare services like GPs and hospitals, and 78 per cent had a person in the household with additional needs or a diagnosed disability. Financial and employment instability was also common, with veteran families having an over three times higher rate of unemployment than the general population, and 52 per cent of respondents reported being “concerned” about their financial situation.
Renee Wilson, CEO of the Families of Veterans Guild, said this most recent survey highlighted the often overlooked aspect of service in the ADF, the effect on families.
“This survey shows that the service of a veteran is a commitment shared by the entire family but families’ needs are not being met or even acknowledged.
“These are not just statistics: they are real Australian families facing immense pressure,” she said.
The survey found that these issues typically went unaddressed, with 54 per cent of respondents not accessing any available services such as the ADF Family Health Program or Open Arms. Despite these statistics, 59 per cent of respondents said they would recommend a career in the ADF.
From these findings, the Families of Veterans Guild issued five “urgent policy recommendations” to the Australian government, primarily calling for a ministerial advisory body established for veteran families and advocating for the Veteran White Card for mental health to include immediate family members of veterans.
“This report must be a catalyst for action. We have the evidence. Now we need a coordinated national response to ensure the families who sacrifice so much and enable the defence of our country are supported in every way possible,” Wilson said.
