Just how many veterans there are in Australia is a question that will soon be answered.
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The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) supports around 210,000 veterans and their 100,000 dependants.
However, there is currently no comprehensive data on the total number of veterans living in Australia.
Estimates indicate this may be as many as 630,000 people.
For the first time, the Census [see more Census details below] will include a question regarding service in the defence forces.
This will give DVA more accurate information on how many veterans live in Australia.
Knowing this will inform the services and support provided to veterans and their families.
Census data will assist DVA to plan and cost future services to ensure veterans and their families are provided with the right services, when and where they are needed.
The collected data will help inform the location of training for GPs, psychiatrists and psychologists on awareness and evidence-based treatment of military trauma.
Knowing the geographic spread of veterans will assist DVA to better understand their needs, and to ensure effective treatments are provided in a more targeted and efficient manner.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that there are many ex-Australian Defence Force (ADF) members living in remote areas of Australia.
Census data will support the development of a demographic profile of veterans and their families by region and state for use by organisations such as the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Returned and Service League of Australia and other ex-service organisations.
This will help them provide welfare and support services that meet the needs of both serving and ex-serving members of the ADF and their families.
Meanwhile, Australian Census night is on Tuesday August 10 2021.
In late July, paper forms will be delivered to households in some rural and regional areas.
By early August, households will receive instructions on how to take part.
This year you can complete your Census as soon as you receive your instructions, if you know who will be home on Census night.
This is different to past years when you had to fill in your form on Census night.