The Promise Kept
Now helping even more veterans and their families
Legacy Australia has announced the most significant change in its 100+ year history by removing the requirement for operational service to qualify families for support.
For over a century, Legacy has cared for families of veterans who could no longer provide due to service-related death, injury, illness, or later death. The support has now expanded to families of former permanent ADF members and reservists who have served on continuous full-time duty, irrespective of service nature – welcoming thousands more into care. In direct response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, this proud evolution honours the World War 1 promise to care for each other’s families while extending Legacy’s volunteer-driven support to address the broader, often invisible impacts of military service.
To speak with a member of the Melbourne Legacy team about the change or discuss your eligibility, you can reach us on 03 8626 0500 or at csv@legacymelb.com.au
FAQs
To fully honour our 1923 founding promise in a modern context, ensuring no veteran family is left behind amid rising needs like mental health support and aging populations.
There are no changes to existing beneficiaries – they retain full access; the expansion simply welcomes more families.
Financial aid (e.g., emergency relief), social programs (widows’ clubs, grief support), developmental (scholarships, mentoring), and disability assistance.
When you get in touch with us directly, the professional case managers at Melbourne Legacy will identify your eligibility to receive our support.
If you do not meet our eligibility criteria, we are committed to ensuring you are linked with a service that can support you.
Eligible families of veterans who have been killed or incapacitated through operational service will need to provide
We encourage you to share with your network – families may now qualify. You can also volunteer to assist Legacy or become a Legatee.
Legacy's focus remains on families where the veteran could no longer provide due to service-related death, injury or illness, or who have later died. The change only removes the operational service requirement – it broadens which types of qualifying service (continuous full-time duty) count toward eligibility.
Families of permanent Australian Defence Force members and reservists who have served on continuous full-time duty (including peacetime or non-operational service), where the veteran has died or become unable to provide due to service-related impacts. This includes older partners of peacetime veterans who may experience isolation, and families of currently serving members transitioning out due to no longer being medically fit.
The expansion is a direct response to the Royal Commission’s findings on the far-reaching impacts of military life, including higher rates of PTSD, mental health challenges and other invisible burdens that affect veterans and their families beyond just operational deployments.
They can now access Legacy’s social programs, such as local club activities, morning teas, social outings and memorial events, to combat isolation, build community, foster identity and provide a sense of belonging.
Share page