The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) acknowledges the critical work of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and welcomes the 122 recommendations outlined in the final report, which are essential to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Australia's veterans.

The immense contribution of serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members, their families, and their support networks cannot be understated. The courageous sharing of their experiences has highlighted systemic issues and barriers that have long hindered access to necessary care and support for the veteran community.

Chronic pain, injury, and mobility issues are prevalent among veterans. Current processes for veterans to access essential physiotherapy care are overly complex and often create barriers to timely, effective treatment. This is documented through the APA’s ongoing advocacy and in the Commission’s final report.

Veterans deserve access to the care they need, when and where they need it.

The APA is committed to continuing our advocacy efforts for meaningful and lasting reforms within the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) scheme to improve healthcare access and outcomes for veterans.

For more information on the Royal Commission’s Final Report, read the Executive Summary and Recommendations here. To learn more about the APA's advocacy work supporting veterans’ health, see our campaign materials here.