A long-awaited royal commission into veteran suicides will conduct a "systemic analysis" of the risk factors inside military life that contribute to the high numbers of service men and women taking their own lives.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed former New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas, who has also investigated international war crimes, will chair the wide-ranging inquiry.
Mr Morrison, who for months resisted calling a royal commission into the crisis, has announced former Queensland Supreme Court Justice James Douglas QC and psychiatrist Dr Peggy Brown will also be on its panel.
"As a government, we are committed to addressing the ongoing impact of service," Mr Morrison said as he unveiled the inquiry's terms of reference.
"I believe at both a federal level and at a state level doing all we can to support our veterans as they struggle with the demands of their service.
Mr Morrison said the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was due to provide an interim report on August 11, 2022, and a final report on June 15, 2023.
"The Royal Commission will enquire into systemic issues and common themes related to Defence and veteran death by suicide, including the possible contribution of pre-service, transition, separation and post service issues, and other matters believed by the Royal Commission to be relevant".
According to the nine-page terms of reference, there will be a thorough review of the departments of Defence and Veterans' Affairs, along with the Australian Defence Force, including how personnel are recruited, their housing and finance arrangements, as well as the military's organisational culture.
The terms of reference state that "Australia as a nation must take action to examine and expose all systemic issues and risk factors related to suicide and implement actions to address the systemic issues and risk factors involved".
It calls for commissioners to undertake a "systemic analysis" of the contributing risk factors including the possible contribution of pre-service, service including training and deployment, transition, separation and post service issues.
In April, Mr Morrison announced a royal commission would be held into the high rates of suicide among veterans and serving military personnel, but the finalisation of the process was disrupted by last month's dumping of Veterans' Affairs Minister Darren Chester in the Nationals' reshuffle.
Last year, the Prime Minister announced a standing National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention would be established, with former magistrate Dr Bernadette Boss now heading the office.
At that time, there were more than 400 known veteran suicide cases dating back to 2001, but that figure has since increased.
By comparison, 41 Australian defence personnel died during the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan.
