Soldier On has been named a finalist in the Champion of Veteran Employment category at the 2026 Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards – recognising the organisation’s long-standing work to help veterans and partners build meaningful careers beyond service.
The national awards, administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, celebrate the contribution veterans and partners make to Australian workplaces and recognise organisations and initiatives that support positive employment outcomes.
Success beyond service
The 2026 theme, ‘Success beyond service’, highlights the skills, experience and values veterans and partners bring to civilian employment, as well as the employers and organisations helping them succeed.
For Soldier On, the finalist recognition reflects more than a single program or initiative. It acknowledges years of work supporting veterans and partners through career guidance, education, employment pathways, mentoring and connections with veteran-friendly employers.https://soldieron.org.au/supporting-you/learning-and-education/
At the centre of this work is Soldier On’s Career & Education Program, which brings together personalised career guidance, education and training opportunities, mentoring, career readiness support, the Career & Education Hub and the Jobs & Opportunities Board.
‘We are incredibly proud to be recognised as a finalist in the Champion of Veteran Employment category,’ says Soldier On CEO Paul Singer. ‘For Soldier On, employment has always been about much more than helping someone find a job – it is about helping veterans and partners build sustainable careers, find purpose and recognise the value of the skills and experience they bring from Defence.
‘This recognition belongs to the many people who have contributed to this work over the years – our Employment, Learning & Education team, our corporate partners, employers, supporters and, most importantly, the veterans and partners who continue to take the next step in their careers.
‘We know that the transition from Defence into civilian employment can look very different for every person. Our role is to meet people where they are, understand their goals and help them navigate the pathway ahead. Being named a finalist is an important acknowledgement of that work and of the growing recognition across Australian workplaces of the value veterans and partners bring.’
Supporting sustainable transitions
Soldier On’s approach recognises that successful transition does not end when a veteran leaves the Australian Defence Force. Building a sustainable civilian career can be an important part of establishing a new sense of purpose, financial security, connection and identity.
The organisation works with veterans and partners at different stages of their employment journey – from people exploring their options and gaining qualifications, through to those seeking new opportunities, changing careers or connecting with employers who understand the value of their Defence experience.
It also works directly with employers to help them better understand military skills and experience and develop more inclusive approaches to recruiting and retaining veterans and partners.
The official Veteran Employment Program describes the Champion of Veteran Employment award as recognising individuals, organisations or collaborations that have made sustained contributions to championing veteran and partner employment, including through advocacy, program development and resources that enhance employment opportunities.
Being named a finalist places Soldier On alongside other organisations and individuals recognised for their contribution to veteran employment across Australia, and Soldier On congratulates all other finalists across the different award categories.
The 2026 Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Wednesday 28 October.
