Each ticket sold helps veterans and families

A tradition of mateship

The RSL Art Union was created in the spirit of mateship following World War I. Returned veterans were finding it difficult to reintegrate into mainstream society as a result of both physical injury and the harmful mental effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Many veterans were living in poverty and despair.

As a way to provide a secure funding source for RSL Queensland, the RSL Art Union was created, allowing the continuation of the support programs so many veterans, and their families relied upon.

RSL Queensland commenced its first fundraising operations in 1956. Today, the RSL Art Union continues to deliver critical funding for the support of returned Queensland veterans from recent conflict, as well as those on the long journey to recovery from past deployments, in the form counselling, financial aid, accommodation, rehabilitation and much more.

Each ticket sold assists in funding programs for veterans and families. With your continued contribution, the tradition of mateship will persevere for many more years to come.

Support Our Veterans

The RSL Art Union raises funds which allow RSL Queensland to provide much-needed assistance and funding programs to veterans and families, including:

• Assistance for over 5,000 veterans every year with Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) claims, including medical expenses, pensions, and income claims.
• Hospital and home visits for 8,300 people in the veteran community each year.
• More than 80 low-cost, safe housing options.
• Counselling and support for veterans and families.
• A scholarship program for dependents and spouses of veterans seeking further education.
• More than 100 school-based programs to preserve the memory of those who have served.
• Assistance for more than 200 veterans in Tribunal cases and appeals.
• Emergency financial assistance.
• Bereavement assistance for defence families who have lost loved ones.
• Funeral services for veterans who pass away and have no known family.

How the Art Union Works

The RSL Art Union is Australia's largest prize home lottery and you can buy a ticket for as little as $5.

There are ten multi-million dollar prize home draws every year. These include beautiful beach homes, multi-state apartments and house + gold packages. Plus, there's also our two Golden Treasure draws each year - your chance to win an entire apartment complex!

Our VIP members secure tickets into every prize home draw, plus two annual VIP Heroes Draws worth $3M* in gold bullion each, as well as bonus weekly draws of $5K* cash and quarterly draws of $100K* cash, all exclusive to VIP Club members only.

That’s over $60 million in prizes offered to our VIP members in 2022!

Most importantly, every ticket sold helps veterans and families.

* Subject to State & Territory licensing approval.

How your support helps

Funds raised by the RSL Art Union allow RSL Queensland to provide much-needed assistance to veterans and assists in funding programs for veterans and families, including:

• World-first research into post-traumatic stress disorder amongst veterans. The $7 million RSL Queensland PTSD Initiative has made ground-breaking discoveries about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of PTSD since 2012.
• Active Lifestyle events that provide veterans and families opportunities to take part in exhilarating activities in the great outdoors while connecting with fellow members of the defence family.
• Pathways to recovery for current and ex-serving Defence Force members and families impacted by service related injuries through Psychological services, physical rehabilitation and wellbeing, social connection activities and Skills for Recovery programs.
• Trojan’s Trek peer support wilderness intervention program which assists veterans rebuild self-esteem and make positive change to thinking and behaviour.
• Opportunities to join the RAEMUS Rover off-road racing team and gain a greater understanding of mechanics, logistics and navigation.
• Respite care at Diggers Rest, a soldier’s retreat in the Sunshine Coast hinterland which provides a place for former and current serving Defence personnel and families to reset and reconnect.

Meet Ben Whiley

With three generations serving before him, it was no surprise when Ben enlisted at 17 years old in 1994. Ben spent his early years in Sydney at A Field Battery (an Airborne Artillery Battery) in the Royal Australian Artillery. His first deployment was to East Timor in 1999 for five months and then in 2005 to Iraq. After nearly 20 years in service, Ben was medically discharged in 2013. When asked how he would describe himself, Ben shares, “I used to be a warrior, then I turned into a worrier and now I’m on the road to becoming a peaceful warrior”.

Sadly, Ben faced the crippling effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for years by himself, suffering from hyper vigilance, anxiety, and depression. Ben found Mates4Mates, an RSL Queensland funded initiative offering veterans progressive, integrated support programs which help rebuild and save lives. Ben shares, “In defence, you’re in teams, there’s comradery and structure. Once you leave, you’re on your own. To be involved with the team again where there’s mateship feels really good”. Ben’s aspiration is help other veterans to get the services they need.

Careers with RSL Queensland

RSL Queensland is a dynamic and growing organisation committed to improving the welfare and well-being of current and former Defence force members and families. We have been doing this for 100 years and we’re gearing ourselves up to continue for 100 more.

Whether it’s using the latest technology to connect with veterans in remote areas of Queensland, supporting Defence families with innovative scholarship and employment programs, or creating engaging school programs that educate young Australians, we’re committed to creating positive change. If you’re looking for an extraordinary career opportunity working in a transformational environment, view our current jobs below.