Additional Support Services

Mental health services

Lifeline
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. They exist so that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone.
Phone: 131 114

Mates4Mates
Mates4Mates provide a way forward for current and ex-serving Defence Force members and their families experiencing physical injuries, mental health impacts and social disconnection. Over 11,000 veterans and their families have directly benefited from Mates4Mates through their mental health and physical rehabilitation services, skills and wellbeing programs, and social connection activities. Their services can be accessed through centres in North Queensland, South East Queensland, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory, as well as in outreach locations around Australia and online.
Phone: 1300 4 MATES (62 837)

Open Arms – Veterans & Family Counselling
Open Arms is Australia’s leading national provider of high quality, free and confidential counselling and support services for Australian veterans and their families. Similar to other community-based mental health services, Open Arms clients experience depression, anxiety, substance use challenges, workplace struggles, relationship concerns and parenting and family issues. The difference with Open Arms is that staff members have specialist training in the military experience. And, while they support families experiencing the routine daily challenges, they also understand the unique stressors that military and veteran families experience relating to the posting cycle, training exercises, deployments, partner employment, and more.
Phone: 1800 011 046

Survive to Thrive Program
This online training program was developed by a former serviceman from first-hand military experience of learning to survive and thrive with PTSD, anxiety, depression and transitioning from military to civilian life. It is suitable for current or former military members and their partners and helps participants to understand common mental health conditions arising from military service and training and how they impact behaviour. The program aims to provide skills to build emotional resilience to overcome adversity. It also explains what to expect in civilian life and how to handle issues before serious problems occur.
Phone: 07 3863 4086

Kookaburra Kids
Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation Program for serving and ex-serving ADF Families supports children who have a parent with a mental illness because of military service. The camp and activity day program is available to children aged 8-18 at no cost to families who are accepted into the program. Camps are held over a weekend, providing kids with amazing experiences. Activity days are held regularly throughout the year, providing an opportunity for children to catch up and have fun.

Wellbeing services

VeteranHub
VeteranHub's provide holistic, person-centred support to the Veteran community by ensuring coordinated access to the right care, at the right time, in the right place. The VeteranHub Team coordinates the delivery of core wellbeing and compensation supports within the Tasmanian Veteran community. VeteranHub links people to a range of programs delivered by partner Ex-Service Organisations and other services to support those who are part of Tasmania’s Veteran community through all stages of their life.
VeteranHub focuses on supporting Veterans’ and their families in the following areas:

  • employment
  • education and skills
  • recognition and respect
  • health
  • housing
  • social support and connection
  • income and finance
  • justice and safety

VeteranHub is freely available to Veterans and their families throughout Tasmania. You can connect with VeteranHub:

Legacy Tasmania
Legacy was originally established to help the widows and children of servicemen killed during the first World War. They were there after World War II, Korea, Malaysia, Borneo, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars, peacekeeping operations, Iraq and Afghanistan. They are devoted to assisting the widows, widowers and children of incapacitated and deceased veterans.
Legacy’s caring and compassionate service assists around 30,000 widow(er)s, children and dependants with a disability. Legacy is a voluntary organisation supported by veterans, servicemen and women, and volunteers drawn from all walks of life.
Hobart Legacy - Phone: (03) 6234 6581
Launceston Legacy - Phone: (03) 6331 9369

Defence Member and Family Support Branch - Transitions
Defence provides a range of support services to assist ADF members planning to leave Defence to make the transition to civilian life as smooth and successful as possible. ADF Transition Centres are located across Australia and provide transition support services to ADF members, their families, units and local Command. Support services include practical information seminars that are held nationally throughout the year, personalised assistance to prepare for transition, referrals to other service providers as appropriate, help with administration and support for training and civilian employment.
Phone: 1800 624 608

Financial services

DVA Advocacy
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claims and appeals process can be difficult to navigate. If you need advice to complete an application or require more comprehensive support with a claim or appeal, their qualified Compensation Advocates can help you through the process at no cost. 
Phone: 03 6242 8900

The Salvation Army Tasmania
The Salvation Army offers a comprehensive range of spiritual and social services to support individuals and communities across the state. Key services include housing and homelessness support, family violence support, financial assistance and counselling, alcohol and other drug services, aged care and home support and community engagement. Beyond these services, the Salvation Army in Tasmania is committed to building healthy communities and working for justice, reflecting their mission to care for people and create faith pathways.
Phone: (03) 6228 8400

Accommodation services

Housing Connect
Housing Connect is the entry point for assistance for people who are experiencing homelessness or are in housing need. They provide support and assistance for people who need everything from crisis accommodation through to a long-term home.
Phone: 1800 800 588.

The Salvation Army Tasmania - Housing and Homeless Services
The Salvation Army Tasmania provides vital housing and homelessness support for individuals and families facing crisis. Their services include emergency and transitional accommodation, case management, and pathways to long-term housing solutions. They assist those experiencing homelessness due to financial hardship, domestic violence, or other life challenges, ensuring access to safe and stable housing. With a compassionate, client-centred approach, The Salvation Army works to break the cycle of homelessness by offering tailored support, advocacy, and connections to essential resources.
Phone: (03) 6228 8400