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Embedding veteran identification within existing accreditation processes under the AOD National Quality Framework—a national policy mechanism that requires treatment providers to be accredited against an approved quality standard—offers a practical means of strengthening and improving responsiveness to veterans' needs.

The research, "Making Veterans Visible in Australia's Alcohol and Other Drug Services: Leveraging the Alcohol and Other Drug National Quality Framework," has been published in Drug and Alcohol Review.

Researcher Andrew Prevett, who is part of the Open Door Initiative at Flinders University, says this improvement in identification will improve the AOD care sector's capacity to recognize veterans' needs, plan appropriate responses and assess outcomes.

Importantly, this will address concerns outlined in the Royal Commission into Defense and Veteran Suicide for Australia's AOD sector, with the AOD National Quality Framework well placed to advance recommendations 72 and 73 in the Royal Commission report, which call for expanded, better-integrated health care services for veterans and stronger military cultural competency among health professionals in mainstream settings.

Australia has almost 600,000 veterans, including both current and former serving members of the Australian Defense Force—and those who have transitioned from full-time service report they are affected by anxiety disorders (37%), affective disorders (23%) and alcohol use disorder (13%). These conditions frequently co-occur and are associated with elevated suicidality.

In the 2022–2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, 33% of veterans exceeded the lifetime risk guideline for alcohol consumption, while 46% reported lifetime illicit drug use.

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