What We Do — VESPIIA
What we do

The work that makes the sector stronger

VESPIIA works across four areas — advocacy and representation, professional development, research and publications, and cross-sector connection. Here's what that looks like in practice.

01
Advocacy & representation
Evidence-based representation for the sector

VESPIIA contributes structured, practitioner-informed engagement to policy, inquiry and reform processes. Our advocacy reflects lived sector experience and organisational insight — ensuring professional voices are present in national conversations, not just consulted after decisions are made.

Parliamentary submissions
Formal submissions to Senate inquiries, House committee inquiries and government reviews on matters affecting the sector.
6 submissions delivered
Roundtable consultations
Structured facilitated discussions bringing sector voices into policy and reform conversations at a national level.
Ongoing
Government engagement
Direct engagement with ministerial offices, departments and agencies on issues affecting the sector — including DVA, Defence and state government bodies.
Active across federal and state
Public commentary
Sector commentary on policy developments, inquiries and reform announcements. VESPIIA serves as a structured national contact for media and sector dialogue.
Ongoing
02
Professional development
Building capability where it matters most

We deliver professional learning designed for the reality of working in first responder-adjacent environments — practical, accessible and built around what practitioners actually need. Our Professional Foundations Series brings in sector-relevant expertise on the topics that come up again and again.

Professional Foundations Series
Free webinar series covering grants, marketing, PR, communications and operational skills for not-for-profit and service organisations.
4 sessions delivered · More coming
Future Frontlines Conference
Annual national conference bringing together practitioners, researchers, government and industry. 2026 in Adelaide, 25–27 August.
Annual · Next: August 2026
CPD framework
A structured continuing professional development framework for members, with a CPD tracker and recognised learning pathways.
Live at vespiia.org/cpd
Awards for Excellence
Annual peer recognition program celebrating outstanding contribution across veterans, emergency services and police industries. Ceremony at Future Frontlines Conference.
Annual · Nominations open
Future Frontlines Conference & Awards 2026
Policy into Practice — Adelaide, 25–27 August
200 delegates · National Wine Centre · Ministerial speakers confirmed
03
Research & publications
Insight that informs practice and policy

The Future Frontlines series is VESPIIA's flagship research initiative — five published papers examining the gaps, challenges and opportunities facing the sector. All papers are fully public. We also maintain a growing resource library of practical templates and tools for sector organisations.

Future Frontlines series
Five published policy papers covering disaster recovery, transition, cross-sector capability, chaplaincy, and women in service. Fully public, no paywall.
5 issues published
Resource library
Free templates and tools for sector organisations — event planning, governance, communications, strategic planning and more. Download via Keela form.
12 templates available
Encyclopedia of Acronyms
A community-built reference guide covering terminology across Defence, Veterans, Police, Ambulance, Fire and Emergency and more. Free and searchable.
400+ entries
Future Frontlines Podcast
Conversations with practitioners, researchers and sector leaders. Available on Spotify and YouTube.
Ongoing · Spotify & YouTube
Latest release · FF_5
Workforce Capability and the Experience of Women in Service Environments
The fifth Future Frontlines paper — fully public and free to access.
04
Cross-sector connection
The sector talking to itself, not past itself

One of the most consistent pieces of feedback from VESPIIA members is the value of cross-sector connection — specifically, the ability to be in the same room as someone from a completely different part of the sector facing the same challenges. We build those rooms deliberately.

Membership network
A national network of individuals and organisations spanning defence, fire, ambulance, police, corrections, research and government. Members can connect, collaborate and share across sector boundaries.
  • Individual professional membership
  • Organisational membership with voting rights
  • Associate membership for adjacent organisations
  • Member directory and representative register
Events and roundtables
From free online webinars to the national conference, VESPIIA events bring different parts of the sector together around shared topics, challenges and practice insights.
  • Professional Foundations webinar series
  • Future Frontlines national conference
  • Sector roundtables informing policy positions
  • Member briefings and sector updates
Sector standards
VESPIIA's Code of Professional Conduct provides a shared ethical baseline for the sector. Members are held to it and can demonstrate it — creating a common standard across diverse organisations and individuals.
  • Code of Professional Conduct
  • Complaints and accountability processes
  • CPD and continuing education requirements
  • Professional accreditation pathway
Operational Committee
A national volunteer committee supporting VESPIIA's operational delivery — bringing in skills and perspectives from across the sector to shape programs, events, policy and member services.
  • Seven volunteer roles available nationally
  • Remote, 2–5 hours per month commitment
  • Governance, policy, events, membership, comms
  • Open expressions of interest year-round

Get involved

Join as a member, attend an event, submit a paper, or get in touch to explore how VESPIIA can support your work.