We give free, independent information and legal advice about the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to:
- Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans
- their families
- carers and
- supporters.
Call 1800 33 1800 Monday to Friday (free call) or go to our contact us page for other ways to reach us.
We will listen to you and explain how you can share your experiences with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
If you need legal advice, we can arrange for you to talk to one of our lawyers.
You may need legal advice if:
- you want to name a person or organisation
- there are restrictions on sharing your experiences with the Royal Commission, for example, because of national security concerns or due to a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement
- you are worried about how sharing your experiences will impact your or someone else’s safety, employment, access to services or rights
- you want your submission, or parts of it, to be kept confidential.
Getting legal advice
Our legal advice is free and confidential.
We are independent and separate from the Royal Commission, the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. We won’t tell anyone what you share with us unless you give consent.
You can get legal advice in a way that works for you:
- over the phone
- by Zoom or videoconference
- face-to-face
- in writing.
You can invite your family member, friend or carer to support you during the legal appointment. If you need an interpreter, we can arrange one for you for free.
What happens at the legal advice session?
The lawyer will listen to you and talk to you about your legal rights when sharing your experiences with the Royal Commission. This may include by:
We will set a time to give you legal advice. If you need more time, we will make another appointment with you.
Need extra help?
We have a range of resources that answer frequently asked questions and can support you to share your experiences with the Royal Commission.
Read about the counselling and other support services available to you.
Call 1800 33 1800 Monday to Friday (free call) or go to our contact us page for other ways to reach us.
Last updated 7 March 2024