Defence force veterans who have transitioned into jobs in civilian life have been celebrated at an awards ceremony in Canberra.
The Prime Minister's National Veterans Employment Awards were held in Canberra on Thursday, and also honoured businesses and organisations that employ former ADF members.
The awards have been held annually since 2018, recognising initiatives that help veterans transition after service in the defence force.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the veterans honoured had been able to bring the skills from their time in the ADF into other professions.
"All of us here recognise the fundamental truth that veterans have extraordinary capacity and potential, and they bring the kind of lived experience that's a gift to any workplace," Mr Albanese said.
"They bring skills as leaders, planners, thinkers and communicators. Veterans see the bigger picture and devote themselves to realising it."
Among the winners was Nick Elston, named veteran employee of the year.
Mr Elston has been working as a manager at a consulting organisation, after 10 years in the ADF.
Cubic Defence Australia, which provides programs and training to the ADF, was named large employer of the year, while cyber security company Bluerydge and project management organisation Viden took out the medium and small employers of the year respectively.
This year's awards marked the first time that partners of defence veterans were recognised.
"(The partners of veterans) make enormous personal sacrifices that shape family and work life - moving across the country and overseas, supporting families and running households solo when their loved one is deployed," Mr Albanese said.
"For partners, this can have an impact on their careers and their wellbeing. Too often, we don't recognise their sacrifice, but we should, because they also serve."
Kate Vidal was named partner employee of the year for her work as an education lead at She Maps, an organisation founded by veterans that uses drones to teach students STEM literacy.
