Australian Defence family life, from someone living it.
Practical resources, lived experience and honest conversations about the realities of military life for partners and families.
From enlistment and postings to work, money, connection and life at home, Boots Back Home is here to make Defence life a little easier to understand and navigate.
Stories worth starting with
Lived experience, practical ideas and conversations about the parts of Defence life that affect the whole family.
Explore local: Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory
If you're ever visiting Wagga Wagga region, you need to add the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory to your list of places to visit. Located in Junee, about 30 minutes north of Wagga, there is...
Explore local: Valley Pride Produce
When it comes to eating seasonally, locally, or as fresh as possible, you really can't beat eating straight from the farm itself. Today when visiting Quibble Market at the Ipswich Showgrounds, I had...
Your First Few Months as a Defence Family
What should partners expect in the first few months of ADF life? A practical guide to recruit training, IET, communication, paperwork and where Defence family information comes from.
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Meet Amber – Defence partner. Mum. Person who has packed far too many moving boxes.
I’ve been living alongside uniformed service since 2014, first through policing and now as the partner of a serving RAAF member.
Defence life has shaped where we live, the work I’ve been able to do, how we parent, how we manage money, the communities we’ve built and how many times we’ve had to start again.
Boots Back Home grew from wanting somewhere to talk about those parts of military life.
The practical questions that sit between the official information. The things families often learn by living them. The effect a serving career can have on everyone living alongside it.
I share my own experiences here, along with practical resources, current information and links to official services when they’re useful.
I don’t have Defence life neatly figured out.
I’ve just lived enough of it to know we should be talking about it.
Resource Library
The Journal
‘Assemble’ deploying soon!
📩 Get your copy of What to Expect When They’re Enlisting: A Guide for New Defence Families.
Stepping into military life comes with a lot of unknowns – relocations, new routines, and adjusting to a world with its own language and expectations. Whether you’re just starting this journey or supporting someone who is, this guide breaks down some things to expect, tips on how to prepare, and where to find support.
Inside, you’ll find:
✔ An easy-to-follow overview of the enlistment process and early defence life
✔ Practical tips for handling relocations, communication, and adjusting as a family
✔ Resources & insights to help you feel informed and prepared
Plus, by signing up, you’ll get simple, supportive emails with self-care tips, practical resources, and helpful insights.
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