Optus joins Invictus Australia in multi-year partnership deal

Optus is delighted to announce a significant multi-year partnership with Invictus Australia, a leading nonprofit organisation dedicated to strengthening the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families through the power of sport.

Optus takes pride in being an inclusive employer and is committed to ensuring our team has the diverse skills, capabilities and backgrounds needed to deliver for our customers.

As a member of the Veteran Employment Commitment and a recognised Veteran Employer of Choice, we achieve this by ensuring we hire and support veterans at Optus, as well as engagement with the veteran community through partnerships with key organisations like Invictus Australia.

Optus and Invictus Australia are committed to increasing the awareness of service men and women, plus their families, amongst the general public, as both organisations acknowledge and recognise the sacrifice of service.

“Optus is proud to partner with Invictus Australia to champion veterans and their families,” said Kate Aitken, Vice President of People and Culture at Optus. “We understand the unique value and perspective veterans can bring to the workforce. They bring technical skills that critical infrastructure like telecommunications requires, as well as skills such as leadership, working well under pressure and in a team environment.”

Optus is already taking steps to connect with the broader veteran community, recently attending the inaugural Invictus Australia NSW Defence Sport Expo, held in Newcastle on Saturday 19 October. Representatives engaged with local defence families, exploring how sport can serve as an avenue for connection, physical activity and mental wellbeing.

“We’re proud to create a workplace that values the contribution of veterans and helps them thrive. We conducted a diversity and inclusion census where three per cent of the team said they have been in the defence force or are the spouse or dependent of those who have,” added Kate Aitken.

“We’re delighted to support Optus to empower veterans at work and in the broader community while inspiring all Australians.” Vanessa Bernardo, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Brand at Invictus Australia said,

“We are excited about the future, having recently redesigned our partnership model to provide more opportunities for brands to impact veteran lives and create unique storytelling opportunities to share with the Australian population.

“This partnership with Optus is a wonderful chance to bring this to life. It will change and save lives, both on the international stage with the Invictus & Warrior Games, and in local communities.

We are delighted for Optus to join the Invictus Australia family and together we will ensure that veterans and their families feel supported, valued, and connected,” said Vanessa Bernardo.

To learn more about the partnership, watch the video below. 

Invictus Australia is a leading nonprofit organisation dedicated to strengthening the health & wellbeing of veterans and their and their families through the power of sport. We support and encourage former and current serving members of the Defence community and their families as they connect and engage with their communities through sport, at a grassroots level or internationally, to assist with recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration, or to proactively manage wellbeing. For more information, visit www.invictusaustralia.org.