Thousands of offers are now available to Veteran Card holders in Fairfax from businesses across Australia, as part of the Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant.
The Veteran Card provides the opportunity for businesses and organisations across the country to show their support and recognition of veterans and say, ‘thank you for your service’.
“So far around 500 businesses are on board, making more than 10,000 offers available for Veteran Card holders, both over the counter and online,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The businesses range from small family businesses through to large chains that operate nationally.”
Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the new Veteran Card will be available to all veterans as a practical demonstration of respect and recognition for their service.
“Our Government is committed to putting veterans and their families first and we provide more than $11 billion every year in support for veterans and their families,” Mr Chester said.
“Bringing corporate Australia on board will be a tangible benefit to the veteran community, with the card providing access to services and benefits for eligible veterans.
“We are proud to be partnering with APOD — an organisation founded and run by veteran families for veteran families — to ensure veterans can easily find local businesses in their area that are showing that respect and recognition of their service.
“I encourage veterans and reservists who have not already registered for the Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant, which includes the Lapel Pin and Oath, to do so through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs online portal, MyService (dva.gov.au/myservice).”
Mr O’Brien said businesses and communities are encouraged to show their support for the Covenant by offering benefits or concessions for Veteran Card holders.
“If you’re a business in Fairfax get on board and support the Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant,” Mr O’Brien said. “Businesses can sign up to support the Covenant at apod.com.au/about/advertise while community organisations can register with DVA through recognition.dva.gov.au.
“The service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families to our nation is profound, and supporting our veterans through this program is a positive and tangible way to recognise that.”
Once card holders are registered with APOD, they can gain access to offers from businesses on the Sunshine Coast by searching online and using a unique offer code. Existing DVA Health Card holders can register directly through APOD or when they apply for the Covenant through MyService.
Businesses honouring the Veteran Card include retailers, travel and tourism operators, accommodation and car hire, entertainment, hospitality, restaurants, as well as service and trade industries such as gyms to automotive mechanics. Offers are generally discounts on goods, gift cards and services, and range from 2.5 per cent to 40 per cent off.
The Covenant encourages better recognition of the unique nature of military service and helps Australia’s veterans connect with the broader community.
Covenant packs – which include the lapel pin and oath – for those who have already registered are being sent out by mail.
For all the details, visit the DVA website – HERE.
Q&A
What benefits are businesses offering?
- Businesses include retailers, travel and tourism operators, accommodation and car hire, entertainment, hospitality, restaurants, and service and trade industries ranging from gym memberships to automotive mechanics and legal.
- Offers are generally discounts on goods, gift cards and services. Some offers are seasonal or for a set period.
Could you give me a range so veterans know what to expect?
- Percentage discounts, for example, range from 2.5 per cent through to 40 per cent on selected items – each business has different offers available.
What about some examples?
- I’m at Pushys, a local Canberra bike shop today, and they offer 10 per cent off storewide. This is indicative of the types of offers local businesses across Australia are providing to Veteran Card holders.
- There are also a wide range of large business with outlets nationwide, such as:
- Caltex – 5c a litre off petrol at Star Mart and Foodary locations
- M.Williams – 15 per cent off online, delivered Australia-wide
- JB HiFi – up to 40 per cent off online quotes/purchases, collect in-store Australia-wide
- Specsavers – 25 per cent off frames and lenses using online voucher in-store Australia-wide
- Prouds – 10 per cent off in-store Australia-wide
- Hilton – 12 per cent off bookings online or over the phone in Australia and New Zealand
- Thrifty – 12 per cent off online bookings Australia-wide
- Sleepys – 40 per cent off in-store Australia-wide
- Offers also extend to the banking sector, for instance Westpac.
- As Australia’s first and oldest company, Westpac has a long-standing connection with veterans and deeply values the contribution they have made and continue to make to our country. As part of the Australian Veterans’ Covenant initiative, Westpac is proud to recognise veterans by offering discounts and benefits on home loans, home and contents insurance, transaction accounts and foreign cash. Australian Veteran Card holders can currently gain access to discounts either online or at any Westpac branch.
What is APOD?
- DVA is working with APOD – an Australian-owned organisation which was founded by veteran families, for veteran families – to make it easy for businesses and organisations to recognise and acknowledge the unique nature of military service and the contribution of veterans and their families.
- APOD provides a closed membership site where Veteran Card holders can search by location, category or keyword, to redeem business offers online (using a web link or discount code) or in-store by showing their Veteran Card (physical or digital, depending on the business).
When will veterans start receiving their Lapel Pin and Oath?
- Now that the Australian Veterans’ Recognition (Putting Veterans and their Families First) Bill 2019 has passed Parliament, DVA is distributing the Covenant packs, including the Lapel Pin and Oath.
Have the pins been produced?
- There have to date been 200,000 veteran and reservist pins produced.
How much does each pin cost?
- The unit cost per boxed pin is $4.07.
What if someone loses their pin – can they get a replacement?
- If a veteran or reservist has lost their pin, they can phone 1800 VETERAN or visit our Veterans’ Access Network and DVA staff will arrange a replacement.