Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO)
VeteranS and Families Research Project
Scoping Study
The Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Scoping Study is the first phase of a major two-stage study to research the impacts on veterans and their families as a result of Australian Defence Force (ADF) service since 2002.
The ground-breaking project aims to identify and better understand the long-term human impact of military deployments.
The Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Scoping Study will examine the long-term health and well-being of veterans and their families that served in the Middle East (and other conflicts) since 2002. It will focus on physical and mental health impacts, including mTBI and moral injury, the effects of repeated deployments, post-service experiences, the importance of support, and factors influencing separation from the ADF.
The MEAO Scoping Study will be the first phase, to be followed by a broader study, which will examine and assess the issues and concerns identified in much greater detail. This broader study will aim to recommend enhancements and national strategies to improve the range and level of services and support provided to today’s veterans and their families.
Research plays a crucial role in identifying the needs and concerns of veterans and their families. By conducting comprehensive studies, the RSL can ensure that veterans receive the best possible support and services.
The Scoping Study is fully funded and led by the RSL. It is independent of government, but is supported by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Repatriation Commission and the Department of Defence.
The project aims to identify and better understand the needs and concerns of contemporary veterans and their families to ensure that they are provided with the support and services they require and deserve.
September 2017 - ADF personnel deployed on Operation HIGHROAD (Defence Image Gallery)
Background
Ongoing engagement with veterans, families, and associated organisations identified reports of growing concern among Afghanistan and Iraq veterans and their families. There is a uniqueness in the experiences of those who served in the Middle East Area of Operations, and without longitudinal research, it is difficult to define the exact nature of the issues. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide also highlighted a need to provide better support.
This research will look at the uniqueness of conflicts involving ADF personnel since 2002, review previous studies, and identify the specific physical and mental costs on the veteran community, including Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) that need to be investigated in greater detail.
Importantly, it will also look at the impact on families, noting the difference to previous conflicts as there was never a sense that the nation was at war, as well as the legacy of the outcomes of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There have been several studies that have uncovered increases in mental health difficulties over time for MEAO cohorts, especially ex-serving members. This demonstrates the importance of longitudinal research and reviews in this area. A systematic evaluation of these studies, along with primary research, will form the basis of the MEAO Scoping Study that aims to improve our understanding of their unique experiences.
The findings of the MEAO scoping study will inform and recommend a study design and methodology for the broader study that addresses current gaps in our understanding. The proposed broader study would follow over two to three years and examine and assess the issues and concerns identified in much greater detail.
“There have been several studies undertaken but no follow up of these veterans for more than a decade. It is clear that a significant piece of research is needed to better understand how we can support today’s veterans and their families,”
Greg Melick, RSL National President
Undoubtedly, contemporary veterans, their families and dependents, face different problems and issues than those faced by veterans of previous conflicts.
June 2008 - Australian Army soldiers from Special Operations Task Group in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan (Defence Image Gallery)
About the Study
The Scoping Study and the following broader study will be the most significant research initiative undertaken by the League for decades, and RSL Australia sees it as a vital step in enhancing the wellbeing of today’s veteran community.
The Scoping Study is now underway. It will employ both qualitative and quantitative research methods and is divided into four key phases. It is due to be completed by late 2025.
Phase One: Environmental Scan and Literature Review (Feb - May 2025)
A thorough review of existing national and international research and data sources to identify gaps in knowledge about MEAO veterans and families’ health outcomes. 19,186 articles were categorised and scanned.
Phase Two: Veteran and Families Voice Workshops (May - June 2025)
Participatory workshops that allowed veterans and their families to voice concerns and experiences, particularly in relation to mental health and the commemoration of MEAO conflicts, have concluded.
Phase Three: Review of Australian MEAO Data Assets (May - June 2025)
Review of existing data assets, such as the Transition and Wellbeing Research Program (TWRP) and Military Health Outcomes Program (MILHOP), to assess their relevance and utility for further research. The review of the Australian MEAO Data Asset, including published reports relating to all ADF Deployed Health Surveillance Studies conducted since 2006, has been sourced and compiled into a central repository.
Phase Four: Research Proposal Development (June - July 2025)
Integration of findings from previous phases into a comprehensive research proposal, outlining methodologies and recommendations for further study aimed at improving support services for veterans and their families.
Report Received October 2025. RSL Australia and the stakeholder group are currently reviewing the Scoping Study report and determining the next steps.
The MEAO Scoping Study aims to address the following questions:
1. What are the long-term health outcomes for Middle East veterans and their families, including physical and mental health conditions?
2. What specifically are the long-term health impacts of deployments to those participants who have already engaged with previous studies?
3. What are the long-term health impacts of veterans who have been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) because of deployment?
4. How have repeated events that may have transgressed held moral beliefs or values affected the health of Middle East veterans and potentially their offspring and partners?
5. What lessons can we take from their experiences to ensure that ADF personnel with existing physical, mental, or moral injuries are identified early and are not unnecessarily redeployed in high-risk areas prematurely?
6. How do veterans and their families feel post-deployment, and how has their service impacted them post-service?
7. How important is family and community acknowledgement or support of a conflict, to a returned service-person’s morale, pride in service and self-esteem during and after the fighting?
8. What does the Middle East experience tell us about the factors which cause a serviceperson to separate from the ADF?
“Our veterans have served our nation with diligence, distinction and bravery and they and their families share the impacts of that service. They deserve Australia’s gratitude and ongoing care and support. This independent research should provide a platform for that support and a means to avoid the mistakes of the past.”
Greg Melick - RSL National President
November 2021 - Australian Army soldiers from Joint Task Group 637.3 disembark a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III aircraft at Honiara airport, Solomon Islands (Defence Image Gallery)
-
The Scoping Study will identify current gaps in our understanding and inform and determine the matters to be investigated in greater detail in a much broader study of impacts, including mental and general health issues confronting the Australian veteran community.
-
The Scoping Study is the first phase of what is intended to be a major two-stage project to research the impacts on veterans and their families as a result of Australian Defence Force (ADF) service since 2002, particularly conflicts in the Middle East.
The study will look at the uniqueness of the conflicts, review previous studies, and identify current understandings and gaps regarding the physical, mental, and social costs on the veteran community, including Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), which need to be investigated in greater detail. It will also investigate the health and social impacts on families, noting the difference to previous conflicts as there was never a sense that the nation was at war in the most recent deployments. Additionally, the study will explore veterans’ and families’ experiences, concerns, and suggestions on how we can better acknowledge and commemorate MEAO conflicts.
-
The Scoping Study is expected to take six to eight months and is intended to be followed by a broader investigation of the impacts identified in the first phase. This broader study may take up to two to three years.
-
ADF deployment to the Middle East was in late 2001, and so 2002 was the first full year of service. The MEAO Scoping Study is the first phase of a major two stage project to research the impacts on veterans and their families as a result of Australian Defence Force (ADF) service, particularly in conflicts in the Middle East. It aims to scope the issues and concerns of veterans deployed from 2002 - 2021. The issues identified in the Scoping Study will be examined in greater detail in a broader study, which will form the second stage of the project. While a focus is on service in Iraq and Afghanistan, the research can also look at impacts on veterans and families of deployments in other theatres including Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands.
FAQs
The Study
-
The workshop phase of the scoping study played a critical role by capturing the lived experiences, concerns, and suggestions of MEAO veterans, their families and the broader veteran community. It will complement the other study phases by providing qualitative evidence and insights to support the evidence already gleaned from the extensive literature search (Phase 1) and review of existing MEAO data (Phase 3).
-
A broad range of stakeholders relevant to the study were invited to participate in the workshops, to ensure diversity in thought, perspective and experience. Invited parties included current and ex-serving MEAO veterans (with representation from all services and different genders), families (which may include partners, siblings and adult children), and community members as part of the broader veteran community (those representing ex-service organisations, community support organisations, health professionals, those in veteran family support roles, government, schools, or media).
48% of participants were ex-serving.
43% of participants were current serving ADF
32% of participants were family members (several had also served)
41% of participants were community members (several had also served) -
The workshops provided an opportunity for MEAO veterans, their families and community members who form part of the broader veteran community to express feelings, share concerns and discuss long-term impacts of MEAO deployment.
The workshops addressed the following research questions:
What lessons (regarding physical, mental (incl. moral) and social impacts) can we take from the Middle East experience, and (from the perspective of veterans and their families) how have these lessons been captured and applied by Defence and DVA.
How do veterans and their families feel post-deployment, and how has their service impacted them post-service.
How important is family and community acknowledgement or support of a conflict to a returned service person’s morale, pride in service and self-esteem during and after the conflict?
-
As this is the initial scoping study, the workshops were contained to four locations, with approximately 30 participants in each workshop.
Brisbane, Sydney, Townsville and Perth were chosen due to their large population of veterans and their family members.
-
The MEAO Scoping Study involves four phases, each building on the previous one to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the mental, physical and social health impacts of MEAO deployments on veterans and their families.
In addition to the workshops, researchers are conducting a comprehensive review of the existing scientific literature and assessing publicly available information and reports relating to ADF Deployed Health Surveillance Studies.
The information gathered across these three phases will be combined and analysed to inform the development of a research proposal that outlines key priorities and methodologies for future research, with the ultimate goal of improving support and outcomes for MEAO veterans and their families.
Veteran and Families Voice Workshops
Findings
-
The completed findings of the Scoping Study will be considered by the RSL Australia Board and conveyed to stakeholders, including the veteran community. This is anticipated to be later in 2025.
-
The RSL will take full account of the findings, and the range of issues to be further investigated in the second phase broader study will be developed from the findings of the Scoping Study.
-
Following consideration by the RSL Australia Board, the results of the Scoping Study will be communicated to all stakeholders including the veteran community and be published on the RSL Australia website.
-
This web page will be updated as the study progresses. You can also follow RSL Australia via Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn or sign up for the RSL President’s Newsletter.
June 2021 - Commander Task Group Afghanistan Brigadier Todd Ashurst, CSC carries the Australian National Flag prior to boarding a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules aircraft at the Hamid Karzai International Airport for the final departure of Australian Defence Force personnel from Afghanistan. (Defence Image Gallery)
Research Partners
A multidisciplinary consortium led by Gallipoli Medical Research (GMR), with Griffith University and the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR), is conducting the research, with specialised input from experts in veteran mental health, data analysis, and qualitative research methodologies. Gallipoli Medical Research is internationally renowned for its research into the physical and mental health of veterans.
The consortium was selected by RSL Australia after a thorough evaluation from a quality shortlist, and the selection was assessed by two independent reviewers. Independent oversight will continue throughout the project to ensure ethical conduct and impartiality.
RSL Australia National President Greg Melick and Gallipoli Consortium Director Justin Greenwell sign the research agreement.
A collaborative approach
Working together for better outcomes for the veteran community
RSL Australia
The MEAO Scoping Study is fully funded and led by RSL Australia.
Gallipoli Medical Research
A multidisciplinary consortium comprising Gallipoli Medical Research (GMR), Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR), and Griffith University is conducting the scoping study.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs supports the Middle East Area of Operations Veterans and Families project.
The Repatriation Commission
The Repatriation Commission supports the Middle East Area of Operations Veterans and Families project.
Department of Defence
The Department of Defence supports the Middle East Area of Operations Veterans and Families project.