Defence Reserves Association

18/02/2026

Defence Estate Review and Proposed Sale

The DRA believes that in overall terms the divestment of Defence estate should be paused until the full impact on current and future ADF capability in the context of ADF Reserve capacity, and access to sites critical to a national security mobilisation, can be carefully considered.
As such, DRA members are encouraged to write to their local state or federal members of parliament to express their concern on the proposed divestment of Defence assets, especially those that currently have significant numbers of Reservists parading at a site with no alternative location being within a viable commuting distance.
Please see the DRA website, (see link), for a sample letter which can be used as a basis for your correspondence.

20/08/2025

It's not too late to book.

Midnight, Wednesday 20th August is the cut off for registration for in-person attendance at the DRA National Conference and the following social function in Canberra.

Registrations for the Webinar can be accepted up until proceedings commence on Saturday morning.

Bookings and payment may be made at the following link:
https://events.humanitix.com/dra-conference

Conference details and program can be found at: https://dra.org.au/content/1683/conference-2025

10/08/2025

"The ADF Reserves Strategic Review - Implementing the Recommendations"

Have you booked your tickets yet for either, in person attendance or via the webinar?

When - Saturday 23rd August 2025
Where - The R1 Auditorium at Russell Offices - 17 Sir Thomas Blamey Square, Russell, ACT
Conference Timings - 08:45 to 17:00 (08:00 registration) AEST

Further details about the 2025 DRA Conference including: the speakers and program, booking arrangements, the post conference social event that evening, and the DRA National AGM, which will follow on Sunday morning, are now available on the DRA Website: https://dra.org.au/content/1683/conference-2025

A Webinar is available for those who are unable to travel to Canberra.

The Conference will be followed by an informal drinks and canapes event at, The Commonwealth Club Canberra.

18/09/2024

Links to the 2024 DRA Conference presentations can be found on our website:

22/08/2024

The Conference program has been updated to include Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite representing the Govt. See the website:

17/08/2024

DRA 2024 conference - "The Defence Strategic Review and the importance of the Australian Defence Force Reserve".

Have you booked your tickets yet for either in person attendance or via the webinar?

When - Saturday 24 August
Where - In the Auditorium of the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park South, Sydney, (near the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth Streets).
https://dra.org.au/conference-2024-item/55075/dra-2024-national-conference/?type_fr=1494&fbclid=IwY2xjawEti61leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHf4EbXz2EdMI5GKO7QA6UXVYmIGMkdBpexnfXUGSmk6DDjnuXZ0erD_c4g_aem_AzanGHlBJzPUayYaBR78Rg

DRA 2024 National Conference DRA - Defence Reserves Association

03/08/2024

The 2024 Conference Program is now available on the DRA website - https://dra.org.au/conference-2024-item/55075/dra-2024-national-conference/?type_fr=1494

Have you booked your tickets yet either in person or via webinar?

01/08/2024

The Defence Strategic Review and the importance of the Australian Defence Force Reserve.

The DRA has long advocated for a better resourced and more integrated Reserve component to boost ADF capacity, both in current and contingency operational tasks. The effectiveness of the Reserve in recent regional deployments and in domestic disaster relief operations has often been acknowledged and praised, but no one would contend that resourcing of the Reserve or integrated planning for their optimisation has been a priority at the strategic centre in Canberra.

This article (authored by Brigadier Michael Annett CSC, National President of the Defence Reserves Association) provides an overview of the submission provided by the Defence Reserves Association (DRA) to the Defence team conducting the Defence Strategic Review (DSR) into Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reserve Service.
It was first published in the June edition of the RUSI National Journal - United Services.
See the article here -

20/05/2024

Further details about the 2024 Conference including: booking arrangements, the Conference Dinner that evening and the DRA National AGM, which will follow on Sunday morning, are now available on the DRA Website. https://dra.org.au/latest-news-item/55075/dra-2024-national-conference/?type_fr=4

When - Saturday 24 August
Where - In the Auditorium of the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park South, Sydney, (near the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth Streets).
Conference Timings - 0900 to 1700 (0830 registration) AEST
Theme - "The ADF Reserves Strategic Review - Outcomes and Next Steps"

A Webinar is available for those who are unable to travel to Sydney.

DRA 2024 National Conference DRA - Defence Reserves Association

20/05/2024

The ESO Round Table (ESORT) is a forum which intends to enhance the capacity of the Repatriation Commission and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission. This forum aims to address issues of strategic importance to the ex-service and defence communities and assist in setting directions for the medium to long term.

The most recent ESORT meeting was held on 14th May 2024 and a summary of the discussion can be found on the DRA website https://dra.org.au/latest-news-item/55381/esort-communique-may-2024/?type_fr=4

The topics include: Claims Processing Update; Enhancing Access to Mental Health Services; Hearing Services; Update on Medical Expense Privately Incurred (MEPI) Processes; Release of Client Information to Ex-Service Organisations.

ESORT Communique - May 2024 DRA - Defence Reserves Association

05/04/2024

What is the Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets Bill 2023?

The purpose of this new legislation is to establish a framework to regulate the work that certain former Defence staff members can perform without a ‘foreign work authorisation’; and the training that Australians, may provide without a ‘foreign work authorisation’.

For more information see the article on the DRA Website

Introduction of the Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets Bill 2023 DRA - Defence Reserves Association

20/03/2024

SAVE THE DATE
For the 2024 Defence Reserves Association Conference

When - Saturday 24 August
Where - Anzac Memorial Hyde Park, Sydney
Timings - 0900 to 1700
Theme - The Reserve Strategic Review : Recommendations and Next Steps

Further details about the 2024 Conference including: booking arrangements, the Conference Dinner that evening and the DRA National AGM, which will follow on Sunday morning, will be available shortly on our website -

Defence Reserves Association DRA - Defence Reserves Association