Accessibility Tools

Skip to main content
  • Defence Special Needs Support Group Ltd

    Networking and Enabling the Defence Special Needs Community
  • Defence Special Needs Support Group Ltd

    Networking and Enabling the Defence Special Needs Community
  • Defence Special Needs Support Group Ltd

    Networking and Enabling the Defence Special Needs Community
Defence Special Needs Support Group Ltd

Connecting and Enabling the Defence Special Needs Community

The Defence Special Needs Support Group (DSNSG) is a non-profit benevolent volunteer organisation founded to assist Army, Navy, and Air Force families who have a special needs family member.

On 1 January 1994, a small group of Defence families were brought together by a common bond, all having a family member with special needs and finding it difficult to locate appropriate services due to the mobility nature of the Defence life.

DSNSG has grown into a national organisation with local support groups across Australia and overseas.

Who are we?

What are Special Needs?

  • Chronic illness or medical conditions like asthma, diabetes or arthritis
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Physical Disability
  • Sensory Disability
  • Mental Illness
  • Speech and Language Disorders
  • Epilepsy
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Developmental Delay
  • Anxiety
  • Gifted and Talented
  • Depression
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Learning Disability/Difficulty
  • and many other special needs

The term special needs basically covers the full range of medical, disability, therapy and education needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to be recognised with a dependant with special needs to be apart of DSNSG?

No, you can become of a member of DSNSG at any time, DSNSG could be of some guidance for those going through diagnoses stage.

Eligibility for DSNSG Membership

To be accepted as a member of DSNSG Ltd the following criteria is to be met:

Is a Special Needs Person or has a Dependent that is a Special Needs Person; and a current or former Australian Defence Force Personnel (permanent or reserve) or a partner (or former partner) of a current or former Australian Defence Force Personnel; or

Is a former Dependent (over 18 years of age) of a Special Needs Person who is an Australian Defence Force Personnel or former Australian Defence Force Personnel; or

Does not meet the criteria above but the Board, using its discretion, determines such person is suitable to become a Member.

They support the Objects of the Company and agrees to comply with the terms of the Constitution and any code of conduct which the Board may produce from time to time; and agrees to become a Member.

For full details please view the DSNSG Ltd Constitution.

How do I apply for membership to DSNSG?

Complete the application for under the Membership Page. 

How do you join the Facebook page?

To be a member on the Facebook page, you must become a member of DSNSG. On the membership form, there is a section for option of joining the page. You can become a member by visiting our website on www.dsnsg.org.au If you go the section called "Get Assistance" you will find the PDF Membership Form.

Who do I contact to change my details?

For changes of details, please email Memberships on with your previous address and name and new details.

How does DSNSG protect the confidentiality of our personal information?

It is our responsibility to ensure that reasonable steps are taken to ensure that the information we collect is accurate, complete, up-to-date, and relevant to the support and services we provided. DSNSG can only release personal information about a person with that person’s expressed permission in writing. For personal information to be released, the person concerned must sign a "release of consent form".

Sensitive information must not be collected unless the individual has consented or in some special circumstances as required by law, such as public health and safety.

When collecting information from families please ensure that the person from whom the personal information is collected is aware:
• Of Defence Special Needs Support Group
• Why the information is being collected
• To whom the information will be disclosed to eg. National Committee, General Manager

We also have an obligation to protect our members when releasing photos, no photos can be shared unless "Photo Consent" form has been signed by those in the photos.