Charter of Defence Families of Australia
Defence Families of Australia (DFA) is the ministerially appointed non statutory, non-corporate advisory body for Defence and Government on matters pertaining to Australian Defence Force (ADF) families.
DFA provides a forum for families to raise matters, and assists families in accessing the Defence information they need. To do this, DFA perform the following tasks:
Provide advice to the minister and CDF
Provide advice to the Minister responsible for Defence Personnel, the Chief of the Defence Force and the relevant arms of the Australian Defence Organisation and stakeholders, on matters affecting ADF members and their families, in order to inform policy development and decision-making.
Inform and collaborate with external stakeholders
Provide timely information sharing and strengthen relationships with external stakeholders including local and state government, to progress positive family outcomes and to enhance the overall wellbeing of ADF families.
Provide a recognised forum for defence families
To provide a forum through which ADF members and their families can raise issues affecting them; to assist families in contacting the appropriate persons or bodies on an issue; and to advocate on behalf of ADF families in order to advance outcomes for better collective impact that are beneficial to both the Defence family and the ADF.
Inform defence families
To assist the families of ADF members who seek its help by supporting them to obtain information on the benefits and assistance available to them from Defence, their rights and responsibilities and the Defence policies that affect them. This may include DFA assisting Defence and other relevant stakeholders in their efforts to inform all families of these benefits, assistance, rights and responsibilities, policies, and any changes to them and in a community centric and trauma informed way.
Our Beginnings
Defence Families of Australia’s origins begin with the Hamilton Report in 1986, a comprehensive report written by Sue Hamilton from the Office of the Status of Women which identified significant challenges facing Defence Families. The National Consultative Group of Service Spouses (NCGSS) was formed in 1986 to assist in articulating the needs of Defence families and assisting the Department of Defence with the implementation of the recommendations from the Hamilton Report.
The group gained regular Defence funding and office space in 1993 to carry on its work after Defence leaders recognised that no other organisation or system carried out the same necessary functions. In 2002, the group was renamed Defence Families of Australia.
Since then, we have continued to grow our influence and impact in advocating for Defence families.
Our Future
At Defence Families of Australia, we are looking forward with purpose. While we honour the legacy built over decades, our mission is firmly anchored in tomorrow. As Defence families evolve, so too must the systems, policies, and supports that serve them.
In a complex and rapidly changing global landscape, families must have the support and resources they need to enable serving members to fulfil their duties without limitation.
With this in mind, we have carefully developed the Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, which sets a clear direction for the future. It is informed by the lived experiences of Defence families and shaped by what they’ve told us matters most. Our focus is not on maintaining the status quo, but on driving reform. Read more about our Strategy through the link below.