Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia)

The Department of Veterans' Affairs is a department of the Government of Australia, established in 1976, and charged with the responsibility of delivering government programs for war veterans, members of the Australian Defence Force, members of the Australian Federal Police and their dependants.

For administration purposes, the department forms part of the Defence portfolio.

The head of the department is the Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, currently Simon Lewis, who is responsible to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, currently Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson.

Operational activities
The functions of the department are broadly classified into the following matters:
 * Repatriation income support, compensation and health program for veterans, members of the Defence Force, certain mariners and their dependants
 * Commemorations, including promotion of understanding of Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and Vietnam Veterans' Day
 * War graves
 * Defence Service Homes

Agencies
In carrying out its functions, the department administers the following agencies:
 * Australian War Memorial
 * Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission
 * Office of Australian War Graves
 * Repatriation Commission
 * Repatriation Medical Authority
 * Specialist Medical Review Council
 * Veterans’ Children Education Boards
 * Veterans' Review Board

Key legislation
The Department of Veterans' Affairs is responsible for administration of several key Acts:

Key officeholders
The Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs is Simon Lewis, since July 2013. In addition to his role of departmental secretary, he is also the President of the Repatriation Commission and Chair of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission. Other key officeholders in the department are the Deputy President of the Repatriation Commission, currently Shane Carmody; and the Repatriation Commissioner, currently Major General M. A. Kelly.

Below is a full list of the Department's Secretaries since it was established.