Abstract
This exploratory study aimed to provide DVA and other stakeholders with insights into CALD veterans’ needs and experiences of the veteran support system, and some initial considerations about how the veteran support system may better meet the needs of CALD veterans and their families. Together, these findings show that: • Consistent with the recommendations of the Royal Commission (2024) that highlight the experiences of minority groups in the ADF, some CALD veterans have specific support needs arising from their cultural identity, and some CALD veterans may benefit from the veteran support system taking cultural identity into account when responding to those and other needs. • There is an opportunity to consider how the veteran support system can be more inclusive of families’ needs – with a broader consideration of what family looks like. • There is an opportunity to consider encouraging the veteran support system to become more culturally responsive and inclusive, as well as trauma-informed, to ensure the needs of veterans are met and no further harm is experienced when accessing supports. This study contributes to the evidence base and the understanding of cultural identities of veterans and the diversity within them, as well as to better understanding power and context in relation to CALD veterans. This exploratory study confirms CALD veterans may have additional support needs arising from service experiences and cultural identity which may shape how support services are accessed and experienced. Further research is required to understand the extent and variation of the CALD veteran population and the extent and variation of these experiences across this population. While the experiences recounted in this study are about individual service needs, the experiences shared by interviewees also point to the potential opportunity to examine the broader veteran support system to ensure the needs of CALD veterans and their families are understood and responded to.