Wayne Bemet: ADF veterans entitled to tens of thousands of dollars in support - but they don't know

For thousands of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, the end of service is not the start of freedom, it's the beginning of a financial and emotional freefall. Each year, medically discharged veterans return home to face uncertainty, unemployment and the crushing reality of trying to rebuild while carrying physical injuries and post-traumatic stress.
 

Wayne Bemet knows this pain all too well. A decorated veteran who served five operational deployments, he was medically discharged from the ADF and thrust into a life he didn't choose. The structure, discipline and identity of military life were suddenly replaced by Centrelink queues, confusing paperwork and mounting financial pressure.
 

"There's a very real kind of freefall that happens when you're forced out," Bemet said.
 

"You go from having a mission and a team to feeling invisible, struggling to pay bills, not knowing what you're entitled to and watching your savings vanish. The financial toll can be brutal."
 

When the uniform comes off, the support often does too
 

Thousands of veterans are medically discharged every year. Many find their skills don't translate easily into civilian roles. Leadership under fire doesn't fit neatly on a resume. Logistics under combat conditions doesn't translate into office-speak. The result is a crisis of underemployment, financial instability and lost identity.
 

"Too many end up dipping into their super early or barely scraping by on DVA payments," Bemet said.
 

"We're talking about some of the most capable people in the country, what they need isn't charity, it's clarity and support."
 

From hardship to helping others
 

Out of his own struggle, Bemet created National Service Financial, a veteran-founded financial advisory firm that specialises in helping ADF members and ex-service personnel access the funds, entitlements and financial strategies they need to rebuild their lives.
 

Since launching, Wayne and his team have helped more than 1,500 veterans regain control of their financial futures. In some cases, they've guided individuals to access hundreds of thousands of dollars in government support, funds that veterans were entitled to but didn't even know existed.

"Many people simply don't realise what support is available to them," Bemet said.
 

"We help veterans not only access these funds but also manage and invest them so they can live fulfilling, stable lives with less struggle."
 

Accessing government funds to start over
 

National Service Financial helps veterans navigate the complex and often challenging Department of Veterans' Affairs system, ensuring nothing is missed and every opportunity for support is maximised. This can mean the difference between financial survival and long-term security.
 

"Our role is to give veterans back control," Bemet said.
 

"It's not just about unlocking funds, it's about making sure those funds are managed wisely so people can rebuild their lives, their families, and their futures with confidence."
 

Looking ahead
 

From his Sydney head office and remote base in Coral Cove, Qld, Bemet is expanding his mission beyond financial guidance. Through initiatives like his golf-based wellbeing program, Fore Veterans, he's tackling the emotional and social side of recovery, helping ex-service personnel reconnect and heal.
 

"My vision is simple, no veteran should be left behind, financially or emotionally. If you've served your country, you deserve a clear path forward," Bemet said.
 

About National Service Financial
 

National Service Financial is a veteran-founded financial advisory firm dedicated to supporting current and former Australian Defence Force members through personalised financial planning, transition guidance and long-term wealth strategies. Founded by Wayne Bemet, a medically discharged veteran, the business brings lived experience to every client relationship. With a deep
understanding of military life and the challenges of civilian transition, National Service Financial helps clients regain control, clarity and confidence. Now operating nationally, the firm also supports high-performing civilian professionals seeking structured, strategic financial advice delivered with integrity. Learn more at www.nationalservicefinancial.com.au.