The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has extended its pilot program with Australia Post aimed at improving access to general information for veterans and their families about the mental health services, counselling, rehabilitation and other support services available to them.
The program is being expanded to Mount Gambier, South Australia and North Lakes in the Moreton Bay area of Queensland.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Darren Chester (pictured) said the trial is an opportunity for DVA to expand its reach by tapping into the extensive network of Australia Post outlets.
“The pilot provides easy access to general information about mental health services, counselling, rehabilitation, and the transition and support services to veterans and their families who may not have had prior contact with the DVA,” Mr Chester said.
“This expansion to a further two sites will provide more information about the way this service is accessed by veterans and their families in metropolitan and regional areas and will help us assess the benefits of the service further.”
He said that while the pilot supplemented DVA’s existing face-to-face service delivery network by leveraging the large Australia-wide footprint of Australia Post, it did not replace any existing DVA program or service.
He said the information was available via the in-store Australia Post kiosk facilities, as well as the Australia Post concierge service, in-store posters, brochures and videos.
Mr Chester said the pilot would be evaluated before its conclusion at the end of June.
