MEDIA RELEASE
2 September 2026
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace MP has welcomed another major funding win for local veterans organisation VWF Inc, with the organisation securing $646,835.84 over three years to continue supporting veterans and their families.
The funding has been awarded through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program, which supports ex-service organisations to provide free compensation and wellbeing advocacy services.
The latest grant takes recent Federal Government funding secured by VWF to more than $846,000, following a separate $200,000 Veteran Wellbeing Grant awarded to the organisation.
Mr Wallace said the latest funding would give VWF greater certainty to continue its important advocacy work.
“Our veterans have served our country, and when they need support they deserve to know there are people in their corner who understand the system and will fight to get them the help they deserve,” Mr Wallace said.
“Peter Kennedy and the VWF team have been doing exactly that, helping veterans and their families navigate claims, entitlements, wellbeing services and what can often be an incredibly complicated system.
“More than $646,000 over three years gives VWF greater certainty to keep doing that work and strengthen the support available to veterans across our community.”
VWF CEO Peter Kennedy said the funding would allow the organisation to continue building its advocacy capability and supporting veterans and their families.
“This funding gives VWF the certainty to continue providing free advocacy and support to veterans and their families when they need it most,” Mr Kennedy said.
“It means we can continue investing in our people, strengthening our advocacy services and helping more veterans access the support and entitlements they have earned.”
The BEST Program provides funding towards advocates, support staff and resources used by ex-service organisations to deliver compensation and wellbeing advocacy.
From 2026-27, funding agreements have been extended from 12 months to three years, providing successful organisations with funding through to 2028-29. The program can also now support trainee advocates to help build the veteran advocacy workforce.
The latest funding follows another major success for VWF, which was previously awarded $200,000 under the 2024-25 Veteran Wellbeing Grants Program.
That funding supports a VWF project designed to improve the wellbeing of approximately 2,500 Australian veterans through a multifaceted approach focused on health, social connection and community engagement.
Mr Kennedy said the two grants would help VWF expand both its direct advocacy and broader wellbeing work.
“These grants allow us to support veterans from both sides, helping them navigate the system while also creating opportunities to improve health, connection and wellbeing,” Mr Kennedy said.
“For VWF, it is about making sure veterans know there is somewhere they can turn and a community ready to support them.”
Mr Wallace said securing funding for local organisations remained one of his highest priorities.
“Since I was elected as the Member for Fisher, I have helped secure more than $7.3 billion in Federal Government funding for our community,” Mr Wallace said.
“Whether it is major infrastructure or supporting organisations like VWF that are changing lives on the ground, I will keep fighting to make sure Fisher gets its fair share.
“Peter and the VWF team have put forward strong projects focused squarely on improving the lives of veterans, and I am pleased to see that work recognised and backed.”
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Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
