24^th April 2025  

Invictus Australia has welcomed the Coalition’s commitment to provide $11.5 million to Invictus Australia over the next two years should they be elected; to continue work supporting wounded, injured and ill veterans on their recovery through the power of sport, proactively build the wellbeing of all veterans and families, plus prepare a compelling bid to host the 2031 Invictus Games.

Invictus Australia is grateful to the Coalition for this commitment, which recognises the impact and important work the organisation does to improve the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families. The demand for Invictus Australia’s services and programs currently outstrips capacity and additional funding will allow Invictus Australia to expand services across the country, serving more veterans and their families in the community.

Impact

Since inception in 2018, Invictus Australia has provided support to more than 17,000 veterans and their families to engage with community sport and worked with the Australian Defence Force to deliver five Australian Teams to the Invictus Games and Warrior Games.

In 2024 alone, Invictus Australia supported over 7,000 veterans and their families and delivered over 450 local community sport events. Current projections indicate that a further 10,000 veterans and families will access Invictus Australia programs and services in 2025.

However, with over 581,000 Australian veterans plus families, the demand is significantly higher than what is currently possible to deliver.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide presented 122 recommendations to the Australian Government last September. In presenting their report, the Commissioners called on the entire sector and broader Australia to do more to improve the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families and to address the devastating impact of suicide on the community.

Invictus Australia’s work directly and indirectly impacts nearly one third of the Royal Commission recommendations and the organisation remains focused on doing all we can to ensure that the pain and trauma of those who shared their experiences over the duration of the Royal Commission was not done so in vain.  

Substantial evidence exists which proves sport to be a powerful tool in supporting physical and mental health and wellbeing; as a tool for rehabilitation as well as prevention.

Importance of funding

Without long-term secure funding, Invictus Australia simply couldn’t provide the level of support the veteran community wants and needs. We welcome the coalitions announcement and look forward to collaborating with any government committed to supporting veterans and their families.  

***END***