Over the last year, there has been the first recorded increase in RSL NSW membership for 40 years, up 11 per cent.

As ANZAC Day approaches tomorrow, the NSW Returned Service's League (RSL) is calling on all Australians to ‘"Check on a Mate’," pledge their support, and encourage their veteran friends and family members to commemorate the day by attending one of hundreds of commemorative events facilitated by RSL NSW.

Census 2021 data has shown that one in 20 (5.3 per cent) Australian households reported at least one person who had served, or was currently serving, in the Australian Defence Forces.

“The Census data shows that everyone knows a veteran or is connected to someone who has served in some form or another: a grandparent, partner, parent, sibling or friend," said RSL NSW President Ray James.

"It’s therefore all of our responsibility to make sure they are okay, know that they have support and know where they can seek that support. Whether that’s a coffee with friends, or it’s employment or wellbeing support."

“RSL NSW is home to 26,000 members and more than 320 sub-Branches across NSW, all of whom stand ready to provide mateship, a ready-made community, connection and links to support services for veterans and their families.”

Support through transition is an important way of ensuring ADF veterans’ professional value and expertise is realised in civilian life.

Census data shows that the employment rates of reservists (89 per cent) and all veterans (75 per cent) are comparable to the national average (74 per cent), clearly demonstrating that veterans bring highly valuable skill sets to the workplace, transferring training, knowledge and experience gained during their service.

The data also shows that serving in the ADF can provide great professional outcomes for women, with 17 per cent of female reservists, and 14 per cent of female veterans now working as managers, compared to 11% of females in the general population.

Adrian Sutter, RSL NSW member and founder of veteran-led charity Swiss8, said: “Transitioning out of Defence is a real challenge for many veterans, no matter how rewarding a career they have had. Some have never been civilians as adults and need to learn even the basics – getting a Medicare card and renting a house.

“While basic training to become a soldier takes three months of around-the-clock hard work, transitioning out of Defence takes as little as 30 minutes. After walking out the gates, veterans need to rebuild their social networks and transition into civilian life, shedding the military identity and norms that civilian society doesn’t recognise."

“RSL NSW works hard to offer its members opportunities to rebuild community and identity via initiatives such as family-friendly and accessible sports and recreation, social activities and more.”