The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide invites you to share your story by making a submission. You can make a submission to the Royal Commission using an online form, or the paper form at the end of this page.
The Royal Commission will continue to accept submissions until 13 October 2023.
The online form is designed to capture information that is relevant to the work of the Royal Commission and consistent with the areas of inquiry set out in the Royal Commission's terms of reference. That form is replicated on paper for use by people who have no access to the Royal Commission's website.
The terms of reference for the Royal Commission are included in the Letters Patent.
Before you make a submission, please note that the Commission cannot resolve individual disputes. It cannot fix or award compensation or make orders requiring a party to a dispute to take or not take any action.
It’s important that you feel safe when providing us information. The Chief of Defence Force has given the Royal Commission a commitment that those who share their story with us will not suffer any consequences. You can find more information about the protections available on the Protections page of our website.
The Royal Commission is using one form for all submissions. Not all questions will be relevant to every person or entity making a submission.
The form also enables you to provide the Royal Commission with other comments including your views on what changes you would like the Royal Commission to recommend.
Your submission may be made anonymously and it will still be reviewed by the Royal Commission.
If you do not provide contact details, we will be unable to reach out to you to offer support or seek further information about your story.
You may find that thinking about matters that relate to the Royal Commission or the act of contacting the Royal Commission stirs up strong memories and emotions.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need support. Support services are listed in the Support section of our website.
The Royal Commission intends to publish a number of submissions. Your submission may be made public unless you request otherwise or the Royal Commission considers it should not be made public. That will usually only occur for reasons associated with fairness. Submissions that are made public may include redactions. You can also elect for your submission to be published but with any identifying information removed.
Completing as much of the form as possible will assist the Royal Commission to identify issues and trends. Your assistance is very much appreciated.
The information you give to the Royal Commission is provided to help the Royal Commission with its work and will be used only for the purposes of the Royal Commission.
When received, submissions are carefully considered by Royal Commission counsellors, policy staff and the Solicitors and Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission. The Royal Commission may contact some individuals or entities that make submissions. The Commission will not contact everyone who makes a submission, but will ensure that all submissions are recorded, reviewed and used to inform the Commission's work.
A Royal Commission counsellor may reach out to check in with you about support needs relating to your submission. Counsellors are available to work with you in a collaborative and supportive way to help you participate in the Royal Commission. Speaking with our counselling team is voluntary, and you can decline counselling support.
The information you provide may be published by the Royal Commission during its proceedings or in its reports without revealing the identity of the person or entity who supplied the information. At the conclusion of the Royal Commission all of its records, including submissions, will become subject to requests under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act). Royal Commissions are not subject to the FOI Act while they are in operation.
If you are unable to use the online form, the Royal Commission would still like to hear from you. You can download the form [DOCX 90KB], fill it in, and post or email it to the Royal Commission.
If you are unable to download or print the form, contact the Royal Commission on 1800 329 095 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm AEST Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays) or DVSRC.enquiries@royalcommission.gov.au to receive a paper submission form.
All printable forms should be mailed to GPO Box 3273, Sydney NSW 2001 or emailed to DVSRC.enquiries@royalcommission.gov.au by Friday 13 October 2023.
It is not possible for the Royal Commission to follow up every submission it receives. However, every submission will be recorded, and reviewed. The Commission thanks you for making a submission, and for assisting the Commission with its work.
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