High-ranking members of the Australian Defence Force concede more must be done to support people transitioning from military service to civilian life.
But the officers accountable for how the transition occurs have defended the time it has taken for the defence force to improve its processes.
Major General Wade Stothart told the royal commission into defence and veteran suicide reforming the transition process is "too important to do quickly and without significant consideration".
A 2019 Productivity Commission report on how to better support veterans recommended the government establish a joint transition authority within the ADF.
It recommended the authority be responsible for preparing serving members for transition, providing individual support and ensuring veterans can access services that meet their needs.
But while the authority has been established, three years on the delivery of its recommended functions is still being worked out, commissioners were told on Tuesday.
Commissioners were also told there is no formalised process for the transition authority to identify or be notified of a person's death by suicide during their transition from military service to civilian life.
Deputy Chief of Army Natasha Fox told the commission the ADF was improving transition processes while at the same time trying not to impact people who need the services.
"(The ADF) is delivering transition services for between 5500 and 6500 people each year, so implementing a joint transition authority needs to be done with great care to ensure those veterans and their families are not impacted," she said.
Commission chair Nick Kaldas questioned why the defence force - an agile organisation - is taking so long to act on recommendations.
Major General Stothart says the ADF should have acted more quickly particularly in areas where recommended changes were not controversial or complex to integrate into their existing processes.
The royal commission will complete its latest block of hearings on Thursday after a fortnight investigating what defence is doing to address issues with its culture and provide support to veterans.
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