National

Here you’ll find the resources and links you need for Australian organisations and groups working nationally – from the Air Force to Probus and Rotary. 

ARPA Over 50s Association

A national not-for-profit association providing advocacy, support services, information and discounts and benefits for Australians over 50. It runs a job-matching service for mature-aged workseekers. State/territory contacts are on the site.
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Phone (03) 9650 6144
Freecall 1800 555 150

Naval Association of Australia

Looks to the interests of both serving and ex naval members including representation to government on veterans’ issues, support for the disadvantaged, advisory and counselling services, and advocacy support for rehabilitation benefits.
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National Servicemen’s Association of Australia Inc.

For men who served as National Servicemen between 1951-1972. Links to State branches and sub-branches.
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British Australian Pensioner Association (BAPA)

Fighting for pension justice for frozen pensioners from Britain.
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Veterans Organisations and Web Sites

 
• ANZAC. One in five of the Australians and New Zealanders who left these shores between 1914 and 1918 (80,000 people) never returned. Of those who did come home, many carried physical and emotional scars for the rest of their lives. The aim of this site is to honour their memory. It is a comprehensive, multi-media presentation about World War 1.
  Go there
  
  
• Armed Services Assistance Centre, Australia. ASAC is a non-profit organisation providing free advice and assistance in relation to pensions, welfare, entitlements and compensation, to serving and ex-serving members of Australian and allied defence forces and their families.
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• Australian Diggers. Much information here for diggers from the three services.
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• AUSVETS. Veterans' news and information, military history, plus many links.
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• Digger History. An unofficial history of the Australian Armed Services. This site has a vast amount of information with many illustrations.
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• Malaya Borneo Veterans. This site concerns the Malayan Emergency(1948-60) and the Indonesian Confrontation(1963-66).
  Go there
  
  
• Vietnam Veterans' Association of Australia. VVAA is an essential information source for Vietnam veterans with links to other veterans' sites and unit sites.
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  National and State contacts.
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  A Veteran's Affairs. Provides the information Vietnam veterans and their families need to make claims for pensions and health care and to access community and support services available through DVA. It will also help families obtain further information on services that can help them through the DVA, VVAA or other organisations.
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• Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia.  VVFA is dedicated to the welfare of Vietnam veterans and their families. If you are a sick veteran, and your sickness may have been caused by war service, you can consult a trained volunteer at one of the branches and sub-branches round Australia - details on the site.
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• Vietnam Veterans Organisations Australia. A comprehensive listing of all Australian Vietnam Veterans organisations and support groups.
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• World War II Nominal Roll. This Department of Veterans' Affairs site contains information from the service records of some one million individuals who served with Australia's defence forces and the Merchant Navy during World War II. You can search for service record details by specifying name or service number or honours or place (of birth, of enlistment, or residential locality at enlistment). Once you find an individual service record you can print a certificate of service.
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U3A (University of the Third Age)

U3A Online encourages older people to share ideas, resources and information via the internet and encourages older people to harness its educational potential. The site lists all U3As in Australia and New Zealand, has links to useful resources, lists electronic educational courses, allows enrollment and a has calendar of events. Special short courses are available for persons isolated by location or by physical or social circumstances.
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Also check your telephone directory for local groups.

Superannuated Commonwealth Officers’ Association Inc.

SCOA represents the interests of retirees from the Commonwealth public sector.
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Royal Australian Air Force Association

Looks after serving and ex-servicemen and women, through repatriation and military compensation. Links to state divisions.
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Rotary Australia

With links to districts.
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Freecall 1800 816 113

Returned & Services League Of Australia (RSL)

The RSL serves the interests of its members, veterans, the ex-service community and members of the Australian Defence Force through welfare, advocacy, and representation and assistance to all veterans and ex-service men and women. Links to state branches.
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RSL Day Clubs provide social and recreational activities for veterans, their spouses, war widows and others in the community. There are now about 100 of these clubs Australia-wide and although supported by the RSL and DVA they are open to any interested member of the community, not just ex-service people.For more information
NSW/ACT phone (02) 9213 7225
Queensland phone (07) 3223 8562
SA/NT phone (08) 8290 0478
Tasmania phone (03) 6221 6616
Victoria phone (03) 9284 6571
WA phone (08) 9366 8355
For country areas in all states phone 1800 555 254

Regular Defence Force Welfare Association (RDFWA)

The RDFWA helps, advises, assists and promotes the welfare of serving and former members of the Regular Defence Force, their dependants and their widow(ers).
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Probus Clubs

Probus is an association of retired and semi-retired men and women who join together in clubs to keep their minds active, expand their interests and to enjoy the fellowship of new friends. Australia is in the South Pacific region of World Probus.
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For local club contact details: phone Freecall 1800 630 488

Older People Speak Out Inc (OPSO)

An independent group with the experience, knowledge and qualifications to speak out on older people's issues.
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National Seniors Association

With 280,000 members, National Seniors is the largest, and fastest growing, non-profit organisation for older Australians; and ranks fourth in the world. Established in 1976, membership is open to anyone over the age of 50. National Seniors has offices in every state with 170 branches. Membership provides access to various benefits including the bi-monthly 50 something magazine, representation to government, travel and insurance services, and discounts. NSA website is www.nationalseniors.com.au

National Information Centre on Retirement Investment (NICRI)

A free independent and confidential service for retirees and investors. Many general information and planning leaflets are available from the site.
Go there
or Freecall 1800 020 110

Legacy Australia

A uniquely Australian organisation established in 1923 by ex-servicemen dedicated to the task of caring for the widows and dependants of deceased comrades, whether they died on active service or later in civilian life. Links to Legacy clubs.
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Freecall to be connected to your nearest Legacy branch: 1800 444 041

Learning Circles Australia

A program of Adult Learning Australia, the national peak organisation in the field of adult learning in Australia, and the national organisation for adult learners. Check ‘Learning and Living in the Third Age’, which aims to develop and disseminate a range of high quality discussion material in consultation with older Australians.
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Council On The Ageing (COTA)

COTA protects and promotes the wellbeing of older people to government and the wider community. COTA is an independent consumer organisation run by and for all older Australians, with links to state/territory councils. It maintains a calendar of conferences on ageing issues. Membership is open to individuals and organisations. For more information click here

Australian Pensioners’ and Superannuants’ Federation

APSF is a consumer organisation of pensioners and older people aiming to promote their independence, opportunities and choices.
Phone 02 6262 5393

Association Of Independent Retirees Ltd (AIR)

AIR protects and advances the interests of retirees who funded in whole or part their own retirement. AIR advocates federal, state and local government to give self-funded retirees financial concessions or benefits equivalent to those available to pensioners.
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Freecall 1800 063 304

The Retirement Village

The Retirement Village Association of Australia Inc. (RVAA) has more than 200 member villages currently providing accommodation and services to some 30,000 residents throughout Australia, and offering a wide range of financial choices, occupancy agreements, locations, services and facilities. The web site has sufficient information from which to select villages for further consideration.
Go there
or phone (03) 9629 4520

State Associations:
The Retirement Village Association of Victoria   (03) 9629 4520
The Retirement Village Association of South Australia   (08) 8338 4500
The Retirement Village Association of Western Australia   (08) 9322 9909
The Retirement Village Association of NSW and ACT   (02) 9747 4732
The Retirement Village Association of Queensland   (07) 3871 1622