The report from an inquiry into the representation of and advice provided by ex-service organisations, commercial entities, not-for-profits and individuals to veterans and families in relation to accessing compensation and income support from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs with particular reference to:

• the appropriateness of commercial entities, within and outside Australia, providing advocacy services, including the charging of fees or commissions on statutory entitlement payments
• representation of veterans at the Veterans’ Review Board, including by legal practitioners
• regulation, training and professional discipline arrangements for advocates
• the consideration of previous reviews undertaken into the advocacy model, including recommendations made and subsequent implementation or lack thereof.

Advocacy services for veterans can fall into two categories: compensation or welfare. The committee finds it is incumbent on the government to put in place appropriate legal and regulatory oversight of the advocacy sector to ensure a quality and transparent system for veterans and to safeguard the integrity of the Department of Veterans' Affairs entitlements system.

Recommendations

1. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs explore potential legislative action to curb harmful and deceptive business practices in the commercial veterans’ advocacy sector.
2. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Department of Defence initiate a targeted public education and awareness campaign to better inform current and former Australian Defence Force personnel of the potential risks of engaging commercial, fee-for-service veterans’ advocates.
3. The Australian Government explore measures to require transparency in advertising and service agreements from all entities offering veterans’ advocacy.
4. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs investigate solutions to address the specific national security and personal privacy risks posed by offshore commercial advocacy providers and offshore data handling.
5. The establishment of a National Veterans’ Legal Service.
6. The Australian Government implement Recommendation 99 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide as a matter of urgency.
7. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs work closely with the Institute of Veterans Advocacy (IVA) as it becomes operational to ensure that it provides effective professional oversight and regulation of the veterans’ advocacy sector.