During National Volunteer Week 2025, we celebrate the remarkable fact that ADF veterans are more likely to volunteer than other Australians. Here’s how volunteering can support your transition and wellbeing after military service.
Published by Dr. Tom | DrAdvocate.ai | June 2025
National Volunteer Week 2025 highlights an inspiring statistic: according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data, ADF veterans are more likely to undertake volunteer roles than Australians who’ve never served. As both a Medical Doctor and Veterans Advocate, I see firsthand how volunteering can be a powerful tool for veteran wellbeing and community connection.
Veterans: Natural Community Leaders
The transition from military service to civilian life can be challenging, but veterans bring unique skills and perspectives that make them exceptional volunteers and community leaders.
Military Skills That Transfer to Volunteering
- Leadership and teamwork experience
- Crisis management abilities
- Strong work ethic and reliability
- Diverse technical skills
- Cultural understanding and adaptability
- Mission-focused approach to challenges
The Wellbeing Benefits of Volunteering
Mental Health Support
Volunteering provides veterans with:
- Sense of purpose similar to military service
- Social connection and community belonging
- Structured routine and meaningful activities
- Opportunities to help others in need
- Peer support through shared experiences
Physical Health Benefits
Regular volunteering activities can:
- Increase physical activity levels
- Improve cardiovascular health
- Enhance cognitive function
- Reduce stress-related health issues
- Support healthy aging
Veteran-Led Organizations Making a Difference
Invictus Australia (IA)
Connects Australian veterans and their families with sporting opportunities to support:
- Health and wellbeing through adaptive sports
- Social connections with fellow veterans
- Recovery support through physical activity
- Competitive opportunities for wounded warriors
Disaster Relief Australia (DRA)
Serves communities devastated by natural disasters, recognizing that:
- Veterans hold unique and valuable skill sets
- Military experience is invaluable in crisis response
- Teamwork and logistics skills transfer directly
- Service mentality drives effective disaster relief
Legacy
Provides essential support to partners and children of those who gave their lives or health for Australia:
- Social support for military families
- Financial assistance programs
- Developmental support for children
- Long-term care for war widows and widowers
The “Service After Service” Movement
Many veterans describe volunteering as “service after service” because it provides:
- Continued sense of mission and purpose
- Opportunity to use military skills for community benefit
- Camaraderie and mateship with fellow volunteers
- Meaningful contribution to society
- Personal growth and civilian identity development
Case Study: Chris’s Volunteer Journey
Chris, an Army veteran and combat engineer, exemplifies the veteran volunteer spirit:
Military Background
- Joined Army in 2010 at age 28
- Combat engineer with overseas deployments
- Afghanistan deployment just 6 months after basic training
- Life-changing experience that provided purpose and skills
Transition Challenges
Like many veterans, Chris faced:
- Personal life challenges around discharge time
- Loss of military community and structure
- Need to find new sense of purpose
- Desire to rekindle mateship and connection
Volunteer Success
Chris found his place through:
- Foodbank assistance and disaster relief work
- Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) participation
- Meaningful connections with elderly Australians
- Renewed sense of purpose and belonging
Volunteer Opportunities for Veterans
Direct Service Organizations
- Open Arms peer support programs
- RSL community service projects
- Salvation Army disaster relief
- Red Cross emergency response teams
Veteran-Specific Programs
- Veteran mentorship programs for transitioning members
- PTSD support groups and peer counseling
- Employment assistance for fellow veterans
- Advocacy training and support
Community Organizations
- Local councils emergency services
- Schools mentorship and leadership programs
- Sports clubs coaching and administration
- Environmental conservation projects
The Health and DVA Claims Connection
Volunteering as Rehabilitation
Volunteering can be:
- Part of rehabilitation plans for service-related injuries
- Evidence of functional capacity for DVA assessments
- Demonstration of community engagement despite disabilities
- Source of meaning during recovery processes
Medical Evidence for Claims
As a Medical Doctor, I often document how volunteering:
- Maintains social function despite mental health conditions
- Provides structured activity supporting recovery
- Demonstrates resilience and coping strategies
- Shows continued contribution to community despite limitations
Getting Started with Volunteering
Steps for Veterans Interested in Volunteering
- Identify your interests and available time
- Consider your skills and how they might transfer
- Research organizations that align with your values
- Start small with manageable commitments
- Connect with other veteran volunteers
Resources for Finding Opportunities
- Volunteering Australia fact sheets and guidance
- Go Volunteer website for local opportunities
- Veteran service organizations for military-specific programs
- Local councils for community-based projects
Balancing Volunteering and Health
For Veterans with Service-Related Conditions
- Choose activities that accommodate your limitations
- Communicate openly about your capabilities
- Use volunteering as part of your wellness strategy
- Don’t overcommit – quality over quantity
Mental Health Considerations
- Volunteering should enhance not replace professional treatment
- Be aware of triggers in volunteer environments
- Maintain boundaries and self-care practices
- Seek support when needed
The Ripple Effect
When veterans volunteer, the benefits extend beyond individual wellbeing:
- Community organizations gain valuable skills and perspectives
- Other volunteers learn from military experience
- Public understanding of veterans increases
- Civilian-military relationships strengthen
Professional Support for Veteran Volunteers
As a Medical Doctor and Veterans Advocate, I support veteran volunteers by:
- Documenting health impacts of meaningful activities
- Advocating for accommodations when needed
- Supporting DVA claims that consider volunteer contributions
- Providing medical care that enables continued service
If you’re a veteran interested in volunteering or need support balancing volunteer activities with health challenges, contact DrAdvocate.ai at 0408 409 693 or [email protected] for guidance.
Veterans continue to serve their communities long after their military careers end. Through volunteering, they find new purpose, maintain connections, and demonstrate that the spirit of service never truly ends.