The Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) is a free and voluntary rehabilitation program that assists eligible veterans to find or retain employment. The assistance provided includes vocational support such as vocational assessments and interview skills training. The Scheme also offers medical management and psychosocial services to address barriers in other parts of a veteran’s life preventing his or her retention of, or return to, employment.
The Scheme can also help make the transition from military to civilian employment for members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and members of peacekeeping forces, who may experience difficulty in obtaining and/or holding civilian employment. This includes those who have been out of the military for some time and who require income support and benefit protection while participating in a vocational rehabilitation scheme.
Veterans who participate in a VVRS program can withdraw from the program at any time including maternity leave or parental leave (see Chapter 13.6) . There is no penalty incurred for an inability to complete a program under the VVRS.