About Us
About RSL NSW
The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) (RSL NSW) is a member-based veterans’ charity founded in 1916, and the largest veterans’ charity in Australia.
It is a statutory corporation incorporated under the RSL NSW Act 2018 (the Act).
Our Mission
RSL NSW’s mission is to respect, support and remember our veterans and their families. This mission is delivered through a number of bodies, including:
- RSL DefenceCare, responsible for direct welfare to veterans and their family members in need, including assistance with compensation/rehabilitation claims and appeals, and counselling and crisis support;
- Veteran Sport Australia, supporting the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families through sport and recreation;
- RSL LifeCare, providing aged care and retirement services to veterans and their families;
- Australian Forces Overseas Fund (AFOF), offering services to currently serving Defence personnel overseas; and
- the RSL NSW network of sub-Branches, housing local services and welcoming spaces in nearly 350 small towns and suburbs right across New South Wales.
RSL NSW is a charity registered with and regulated by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
Governance
RSL NSW is committed to strong and ethical governance in accordance with best practice standards. Read more about 🔗RSL NSW governance or find out more about 🔗 our Board of Directors.
Membership
Any person who has been a member of the Australian Defence Force for at least six months (unless discharged earlier for reasons outside their control), or who served with or supported the armed forces of an allied or Commonwealth country, may be admitted as a Service Member of RSL NSW. Any non-veteran may join the League as an Affiliate Member at sub-Branches that accept this category of membership.
Eligible individuals generally 🔗join a sub-Branch. There are currently nearly 350 sub-Branches across the state, organised into 23 District Councils. Most sub-Branches represent a geographic area, but a few represent a particular occupation or branch of the armed forces. 🔗Find out more about becoming a member of RSL NSW.
RSL NSW currently has approximately 35,000 members across membership categories which includes both Service and Affiliate members. Membership and eligibility are covered by clauses 3 and 4 of 🔗the constitution.