Falling veteran suicide rates remain far above average

The portraits of ADF personnel who lost their lives to suicide are a reminder more needs to be done. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

Early data suggests suicide rates among ex-serving veterans have declined, but they remain far above the national average for men and women.

That's according to the ninth annual report into suicide rates of serving and ex-service ADF members by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.