DVA GRANTS SCHEMES

  The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) administers several grants programs on behalf of the Australian Government.

VETERAN & COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM

Veteran & Community Grants aim to maintain and improve the independence and quality of life of members of the veteran community by providing funding for projects that support activities and services that sustain and/or enhance their health and well-being.

  Applicants must be an ex-service organisation, veteran representative group, community-based organisation or private organisation and be able to demonstrate the ability to contribute to the welfare of members of the veteran community through the proposed project.

  A copy of the Guidelines and application form are available at www.dva.gov.au/health/grants.

COMMEMORATIONS PROGRAM

Saluting Their Service is the Australian Government’s commemorations program.  It aims to highlight the sacrifice and service of Australia’s servicemen and women in war, conflict and peacekeeping operations and to promote appreciation and understanding of the role that those who have served have played in shaping the nation.

  Community and ex-service organisations, local government authorities and other bodies such as museums and schools can apply depending on the project.

  The program Guidelines and application form can be located at http://www.dva.gov.au/commem/commac/guidelin/guidelin.htm.

Building Excellence in Support and Training

BEST is part of the Government’s commitment to support the role of Ex-Service Organisations (ESO) pensions and welfare practitioners and advocates.  The BEST program assists by providing monetary support and IT equipment to ESO practitioners.

  The aim of BEST is to provide support and resources to ESO practitioners for pensions and welfare work to assist veterans, past and present members of the Australian Defence Forces and their dependants.  A major objective of BEST is to ensure high quality claims and appeals assistance by ESO practitioners, which in turn will assist the Department in timely and appropriate processing.

  Bona fide ex-service organisations that provide welfare and pension assistance to veterans and past and present members of the Australian Defence Forces and their dependants can apply for funding under BEST.  In regional areas where it is economically viable, the Department encourages ESO’s to explore the option of involving a cooperative project/centre of two or more ESOs to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

  The program Guidelines and application form can be located at http://www.dva.gov.au/pensions/BEST&TIP/b&tindex.htm.

More information

  DVA fact sheets provide information on the various benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), the Veterans' Review Board (VRB) and the Vietnam Veterans' Counselling Service (VVCS).  

  All fact sheets are available on request from any DVA office or on the DVA website at www.dva.gov.au/factsheets/default.htm

  DVA telephone numbers:

  General Inquiries                                                                                          133 254

Connects callers from anywhere to their capital city State Office

  Non-metropolitan Callers                                                                          1800 555 254

Connects non-metropolitan callers only to the capital city State Office.

  Dialling from interstate                                                                              1300 13 1945

Allows callers to contact any State Office via a series of voice prompts.

  Local Veterans’ Affairs Network (VAN) offices                                   1300 55 1918

Connects callers with their nearest VAN office.

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This page was last modified on 9th June 2006.