The 2026 Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards sponsors are celebrating success beyond service in the veteran employment community through their support of the Awards.
Salary packaging and novated leasing provider, Smart, is a Major Partner of the Awards, proudly supporting the Veteran Employee of the Year category. This category recognises veterans who are succeeding in civilian employment and making a positive contribution to their workplaces, industries and communities.
For more than 25 years, Smart has been a proud partner of the Department of Defence, helping over 50,000 Defence members increase their take-home pay and supporting them to achieve their financial goals during and after their military careers. This relationship has provided Smart with a strong understanding of the Defence community and the lived experiences of serving ADF members and veterans.
Recognised as a Veteran Friendly Employer through the Veteran Employment Commitment, Smart maintains a structured and sustainable approach to veteran employment. The organisation creates employment opportunities and supportive workplace experiences for veterans by embedding veteran-inclusive recruitment practices and strengthening military cultural awareness across its hiring processes. Smart also provides hiring managers and recruiters with tools and guidance to better understand military experience and translate Defence skills into civilian workplace capabilities.
Beyond recruitment, Smart supports veteran employees through workplace policies and initiatives that promote wellbeing, flexibility and career success. Employees can access Defence Leave provisions, wellbeing support and workplace adjustment processes and choose to voluntarily disclose current or prior military service, helping the organisation better understand and support its veteran workforce.
Through its support of the Veteran Employee of the Year category, Smart is helping tell an important national story: that veterans continue to lead, contribute and succeed long after they leave military service. This category celebrates veterans who are applying their skills and experience in new ways, creating impact in their workplaces and showing what success beyond service can look like.
Learn more about Smart at www.smart.com.au/defence.